Shocking...."tharinger's" information was completely wrong. Talk about predictable.

Because he'd be the best player FIU would ever pursue. Anyways, he apparently committed to USF with Godfrey and Jose Jose just a few hours ago, so it's yet another interesting recruiting season.

Correction I meant UF is in the pole position for Dunkley.

Pike, Please re-read what I wrote. I never even mentioned academics. Read between the lines. There's a lot of issues going on with him, specifically with Fish and mentors involvement. I practically spelled it out. As far as FIU being in the pole position, it's not because of anything FIU has done, it's just a lack of offers. There are certain things scaring off the other schools. UF is in the pole position for UF and other schools haven't backed off him. Same for other top recruits. I'd love to see him end up at FIU, I think he's a solid player. Again, if UM pulled his offer and he has his grades in order, that kind of narrows down the other possibilities, and with all the smoke going around him the past month I wouldn't doubt if some of it is true.

That Chandler article is completely wrong. "Tharinger" is known for having false info. There are reasons Chandler has been dropped by UM and not having any other big schools stepping up to the plate, even their horrific rivals reporter came out with a story a few weeks back saying how he doesn't expect Chandler to be in the class. I think their scout writer has been saying that for a while now too. Seems Fishbein and some other "mentors" got involved and UM jumped ship, they don't have the Bama type pull. Feel bad for the kid because he wanted to go there, but I wouldn't take him at FSU either so I don't blame UM for their course of action. As for hiring Hurtt, UM fans seem pretty disappointed in his performance and he's another inexperienced coach FIU would be hiring. It would be a bad move, I think hiring someone better prepared would serve FIU better, think a poor man's Al Groh. Mark Whipple I don't see moving to HBC at FIU. He was already HBC at UMass, if he leaves Miami it would be for the NFL (Bill Cowher apparently loves him) or for a step up to a BCS program at least.

Pete, What are the restrictions/parameters of the blog? Just looking for any direction and to play within the rules. Thank you.

This pick doesn't matter either way really, but the perfect record would be nice. Considering no bye for one team and the disappointing showing against Western Kentucky, I'll pick the Panthers in this one. FIU - 37 FAU - 33

Thanks for the well wishes, same out to you. Everyone enjoy your Holiday (and the short week) and keep in mind our men and women overseas sacrificing so much for us to continue to be able to enjoy this wonderful country.

Just wanted to be clear Pete, the prediction (should be obvious) is UF - 55 FIU - 9

Going to change my prediction to 55-9. If it rains that pits UF's strength against FIU's biggest weakness. Doubt they let Brantley throw much when they sit Tebow too.

I love your brilliant work scumsanitizer. Isn't it ironic how someone with your name took the position you took? Hypocrisy, thy name is scumsanitizer. I appreciate your assumptions of my life. My financial situation has allowed me to be able to pick my children up from school every day, eat dinner with them, and secure the homes of my in laws as well. I'm blessed to have a wonderful wife who works hand in hand with me. A true partnership. Unfortunately for you, those who work with me thoroughly enjoy it. I set an example with hard work and dedication, invite them all every summer to our home in the keys and take them boating, and have been on multiple occasions a groomsman for younger associates. Some of those associates even left to other firms and remain close friends with them to this day. My question is this...Is this what those who didn't seize every opportunity in life do? My father always said behind every successful man there are a number of those who are jealous and hate him for it. I'm glad to know where you stand. It's a shame, you point out the ego...but can't dispute the facts. If that's what helps you sleep at night and swallow the bitterness of those with more, than more power to you. P.S. You clearly contradicted yourself, I already admitted to being wrong in the previous blog with my grammatical error...thereby, proving my facts which you chalk up to me being egotistical. Pete, in case I can't make it over the next few weeks I'll do my remaining two picks now. Unless my math is wrong, as long as I get one of these next two right, I'll be writing the blog. UF - 48 FIU - 13 AND FAU - 35 FIU - 27

Ahh Fanatic, forgetting that I'm answering specific questions posed to me. Might have been a bit verbose, but naturally, Fanatic is too busy living in his delusions to see the forest through the trees. And chris, again, you're information is incorrect. You have done nothing to prove it and until you do, it remains incorrect.

I'm not hurting chris. I'm not perfect, and I've never claimed to be. It doesn't really sting when a stranger points out I've made a grammatical error. I've made tons before, and am sure to make some in the future. C'est la vie. We could keep debating grammatical errors all you'd like, but kudos to suggesting your error was intentional, the accountability or lack thereof, is rather humorous, as is the rise I've gotten out of so many on here. Now, like I said, FIU isn't on par with the better schools, i.e. Ivy League and even top tier schools for that matter. If that automatically designates the rest as second rate, well then that's up to you to decide. It doesn't diminish them, but in life there is always someone (or something) better. In this case, there is a significantly large number of "better". Your school doesn't have factual data to support your argument. It's not only common sense, but it's documented by UsNews. You can actually pay a little money for their services, they do a rather swell job of breaking it down. You're correct that almost all schools accept mediocre students, and FIU has a good number of above average students, but your standards aren't on par with UF or UM. You can see that on UsNews' detailed research. Allowing a larger freshman class (and thereby lowering your admissions policy, which by the way is a direct admission that you aren't on their standards in re: to attracting the same quality of students. Kudos.) is irrelevant, since UF does that as well without lowering their standards. Chris, you should know better though, fact-less information is still incorrect, regardless of a jury being present or not. I pray you don't fall victim to that trait when drafting complaints, answers, or other legal documents, the outcome would be grim at best. Lone/International, I'm comparing FIU to Dade in regards to show an obvious gap between the two institutions. That same gap exists between FIU and UF/UM and even FSU (to a lesser degree). Naturally a CC must accept all, therefore it has no selectivity. FIU's selectivity is due to it's location, not because of it's academic reputation. UM has more potential students that apply than Harvard, does that mean they are a better school due to higher selectivity? Of course not. If you look at the original post "comparing" FIU and Dade, it was to illustrate the reason so many students don't feel a passion to their college. I also used St. Thomas and Nova to better help you comprehend the intention. That's why UM is wise in accepting students from out of state. It was Suntan U, after all. Hopefully alt better articulated the demographics issue. He seems to be in full accordance with me. It's 100% on point. Lone, I suggest you give the first season of the British Office a shot, it's British so you are correct in the assessment of sarcasm, but then again I think the office is intended to be a sarcastic series, as opposed to a more obvious brand of humor. As for Fanatic, he's pretty much wrong, especially with the dodging and changing the topic, since it's on point with the whole premise, but we all know he's incapable of piecing those things together. I'm tempted to pick FIU to win this weekend, but without Mccall, I'm torn. Seems like both teams are pretty even. Got to go with the home team here. FIU 31 NT 27

Oh chrissy (You think I didn't notice your poor attempt and different use of my name in the previous blogs, prior to this one?), I see I got under your skin. For someone who corrects someone else in grammar so much, you make your own errors. Not surprisingly, a FIU grad corrects a Cornell grad while making a fool of himself. For example: "I'll make sure it reads well next time." It should read "the next time". Sand in your face, huh? Heck, an argument can be made that using "a" instead of "an FIU alum" would be correct. Would you like me to point out more, I wouldn't mind, I'd consider it a fun back and forth. You see, dubious attempt to correct at best. Pardon me for being subject to errors, as we all are. The next time, I suggest not throwing stones from you glass house, good sir. You would be better served reading my post for what it is. I never said it was a second rate education. Now, if you wish to suggest that St. Thomas, Nova, Barry, Miami-Dade are second rate educations and FIU is on that level, than that is solely your opinion, of which you are entitled to. Regardless, your opinion doesn't hold serve on the local or national level. You decided to draw the implication that FIU is filled with idiots. I didn't say such a thing. Obviously no one who attends any university is considered an idiot. Then again, anyone who attends FIU, UM, FSU, or UF, pales in comparison to the better schools. So to attempt to contrast the two is both idiotic and inappropriate. The choices students of Ivy League schools and 4th tier schools have is extremely different. I know you think the student body for both schools is comparable, but then again, that would be consistent with the delusion. Speaking of that, have you seen FIU's students (Sorry to inform you, top of the class for Miami-Dade public schools isn't really picking out the cream of the crop, as we have discussed before)? Why don't you post the schools the majority of your students, which you claim to have better options, were accepted to. In case you didn't learn, recent law school grad, when you present an argument you present facts to back it up. Obviously anyone who attends Cornell can get into FIU without a second thought. The same can't be said for FIU grads. It's not suggesting they aren't intelligent, just a mere and factual indication of degrees of intelligence. As far as this argument of "many were probably accepted to UF and UM". Well.... that's just plain wrong since you lumped those two together. I clearly didn't expect you to draw the distinction between the two, since the two schools have a vast difference in student body (enrollment size), but furthermore UM accepts a majority of non-locals. Perhaps Crazy wasn't so fortunate. I wholeheartedly agree. Then again, he is an alum of your school, so you must bear that cross. As for Lonepanther, Immigrants who arrive to Miami feel a minimal connection, at best, to FIU because of their displaced status. It happens in Texas, it happens in California, it happens in New York. Yes, the student section at games might be filled, but then again....what percentage is that student section (and the entire stadium for that matter) of your current enrollment? Just how large is that section? As bad as some schools are attendance wise, their students still pack games. You do know Miami and Notre Dame sport about 12k students each (undergrad and grad combined) and their attendance is significantly higher? Percentage wise, they are exponentially higher than yours. So when you are bringing 8-11k a game and have an enrollment of...well you know how many, just how filled is it again? Finally, being the most selective school in the state doesn't mean you are accepting the best. Is that really your best argument? In actuality, FIU is more easily comparable to Dade then FSU, UM, and UF. While some of you may find it belittling, it's just a simple situation where reality actually influences perception. Miami-Dade isn't a bad school either, it provides plenty of students with the necessary education to move on to their next phase. Happy week to you all, I'll be back to hopefully keep myself in first place. I might actually have to write the winner's blog instead of giving it away to a loyal FIU fan (Up for the highest bidder. Sarcastic bids greatly appreciated). Back to the grind for me, minions. P.S. Lone, I suggest watching the British office. The American version is vastly inferior to it and it seems you would greatly appreciate it!

You're right about that chrissy, I would be somewhat vexed if that were to happen, but as you said, it's Cornell. Everyone who went their could have gone anywhere in the country and chose to attend. FIU is a different situation considering their market and their overall feel. It's no different than St. Thomas, Nova, Miami-Dade (ignore the fact that some of these are private schools) in that respect. Students have no ties to the school or the area since South Florida is largely populated by 1st and 2nd generation immigrants. Furthermore, the schools are relatively young with little tradition. They use the school for a degree, the school uses them for advancement and money. It's not like some of them, in this case Crazy, chose to attend it for the same reasons that others choose to attend Miami, FSU, or UF. The majority of the student body in each of those schools leave everything behind and become part of the university. With FIU, Miami-Dade, and the others, not so much. What hurts FIU with fan/alumni support, not just in sports but in overall pride for the school, is a product of their location and demographic. It's a unique catch 22 for your university. For example, some attorneys, fresh out of law school, from lesser schools are forced to go work for the state government as a PD or state attorney. This helps build their reputation and resume, but do you think it's wrong for them to criticize those institutions after or even during? It would be insane to say otherwise.

I don't see why you guys are giving him such a hard time. Sounds like he went to FIU out of necessity and not desire. Not a big deal. He got a degree out of it and FIU was paid for their services. College is a business more than anything else nowadays. Seems like it was mutually beneficial.

You obviously can't read past a highschool level if you don't see the thesis behind my post. I guess I'll hold onto that nonexistent need and just revel in the facts behind the truth.

You clearly don't understand the definition of a big program. He DIRECTLY references UF and Alabama. Clearly, A&M, Rutgers, UL, and Duke have never been near UF's program, even before their run in the past 3 years. See, in your original post you try to deflect from the point. He referenced UF and Alabama. He said those days are done and over with, as they should be. They aren't, since UF and Alabama aren't scheduling home and homes. They might just never do it since FIU is at the mercy of the state and as such is relegated to the back of the line behind the other more traditional and important programs, rendering their financial situation as tedious at best. This is most evident in the ever extending deadline behind the stadium expansion. By saying it means nothing unless they play here is a direct implication that he expects those programs to sign for 1 and 1. I don't need to declare myself as an authority of what a big program is, it's self evident. It's an undeniable truth. You try to imply that there is a possibility that those programs can be big by saying "big or not". They clearly aren't, no matter what side of the fence you are on, unless you suffer from delusions. If you had any bit of objectivity you would know the sole reason Rutgers is coming down is for recruiting. I bet you Greg Schiano and their AD would probably just come out and say it if asked. Scheduling you isn't for the money, national exposure, SOS, or any other reason besides recruiting. The point is, while it's great that some of you get to see these programs come down, you won't see it for long unless you sign these body bag games. You won't be able to pay the teams to come down to play you. Just looking at attendance, bowl payoff/split, TV deals, and FIU's aforementioned tedious financial position, makes it near impossible. If you can't afford a band, you won't be able to afford paying these schools unless you are robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to speak. The cutting of the many programs in the past year or so would seem to indicate such. And yes, Texas A&M's president, former FIU alum, is no longer there. She had to resign for doing a horrible job, but do you know when that schedule was made? Under her tenure. You really think she didn't make this happen and forced it upon the AD? So you see, playing these body bag games is a NECESSITY for you. Every program has their price, you're no different than the other small programs, and this seems to be an extension of Garcia's ego. When the well runs dry you might see him balking at this stance, if he's even around at that point.

MTSU - 34 FIU - 23

You really think those are big teams? Those teams are not "big schools" when it comes to football. That's pure delusion if you think so, but proceed. Duke is a big program when it comes to basketball and lacrosse, not football. A&M is obvious, considering their president is a FIU alum. Rutgers is doing it purely for recruiting exposure. See their 5 year old billboard in Miami. Are those guys that are winning their conference championships? So they aren't the typical body bag games, are they? Mind you, those three teams are pretty bad in football, and that includes Rutgers. So you have home and homes with traditional bottom feeders at big conferences...what makes you think you will get, much less deserve, a home and home with big programs? Mind you, I said big programs, not average, not flash in the pan, not coattail riders. Do you think FSU, Alabama, UF, Miami, and other true big programs are going to sign a home and home? You have to bring something to the table guys. You don't bring any national exposure, you don't bring any recruiting pros, you can't even accommodate all their fans (which will outdraw yours at your own stadium), and they wouldn't make any money. It would be foolish for any of those to sign a home and home. They automatically become the other team's biggest game, drawing their best effort, and leave with barely enough money to cover their expenses for trip down, give their traveling fans a poor gameday experience, and then either get blasted for coming out sloppy or scheduling a weak OOC SOS. If they do that, they might as well stay at home and profit in the millions. Sunbelt teams are going to be body bag games for true big programs, it's just one of the things that remain constant in College Football.

How can you get a big school to come and play you when your stadium can't even hold their fans?

Listed is Deonte but they split out Aaron Hernandez. They use their TE a whole lot, like UM used Kellen Winslow.

I'm sorry, at what point does a return man get to use his stats returning punts and kicks to show that he's a good, or in this case, "the best WR in Fl"? If you really think Nick Saban gameplanned for him at all prior to game week you must definitely be a bit unrealistic. In the two biggest games, coincidentally against BCS teams, he had 3 catches in each game going into the fourth quarter. He's a very good player, but he wouldn't start on any of the Big 3, much less be the best in the state.

It is sad for FSU to have attendance issues. Then again, we've had our very own Weekend at Bernie's coaching for the past 10 years, so there are a lot of people who just don't care. Even with that, we still had over 60k at the game. See scUM, me focusing on it all day or none at all won't change the attendance. You guys focusing on your attendance issues actually will. I struggle to understand how an Athletic Department with their detailed ambitions, visions and plans for the future fail to meet the NCAA minimum, much less stir a minimal interest in the student body. 1 win or not, with your student body size and market, that should scream a misappropriation of time and priorities by your athletic department. But continue to harbor such resentment towards other programs, I'm sure you're a happy person. Have a good weekend, enjoy the win.

Just saw the highlights. First thing's first. Congrats on the win. But judging from the highlights and seeing how the attendance was reported around 8k....I can't see more than 5k from the different angles I saw on channel 4. I think you guys need get your students involved with the AD's department. Look towards freshman orientation in giving away free tickets, the +1 guest policy that you mentioned, etc. I hope you guys really get a bigger crowd, teams do feed off of it.