IBM Works on Time Machine

J/K!!! But, there is a cool sighting of a DeLorean DMC-12 on the IBM Austin parking lot. The Irish car made famous by its appearance in the “Back to the Future” movies got some attention from fellow IBM’ers while in the parking lot.

Discada Styled UT Tailgate

Last Saturday I was invited to a University of Texas tailgate. This week the Longhorns were playing the Miners from UT El Paso. I have several co-workers from UTEP and some have mutual feelings for both UTEP and UT. Needless to say it was a good tailgate with plenty of good food and drinks, but one of the items that I’ve never seen in a Miami tailgate was an ‘apparatus’ people from El Paso call a ‘Disco’ (Spanish for disc or record). The disco, looks like an Asian wok, but it has its own stand and gas flame.

A typical ‘Discada’ (a Spanish play on words for something made  in the disco), is made with bacon (fatty meat), chorizo (more fatty meat), beef (not so fatty meat) and for all of you vegetarians out there tomatoes, onions and cilantro. Well, OK vegetarians did not have anything to eat on this tailgate, but that didn't affect me at all :-). Of course, as with any Mexican influenced meal, you eat it in a tortilla. The discada was great, I mean when you add so much fat into something it has to be good… proven by the time it took to be gone, approximately 15 minutes. A good meal when drinking on the Texas heat and screaming for your team at the top of your lungs.

Needless to say the discada will be added to my culinary repertoire when hanging with the boys, but I would skip the stand and use my old faithful wok. Thanks to Jacob and friends for introducing me to another of El Paso’s finest customs, which ranks up there with the Chuco Town Dance…. Also Oliver, who did some pretty fancy cooking on a very small space.

Sadly I did not stay to watch the game, since I had to watch my ‘Canes play… looking back, I should have gone to the game, but that is another entry.

ACC Week 4 Counter Predictions

Heather Dinich Predictions	My Predictions
Miami 24, Virginia Tech 21	Miami 27, Virginia Tech 17
North Carolina 24, Georgia Tech 14	Georgia Tech 24, North Carolina 14
Duke 35, NC Central 7	Duke 21, NC Central 10
Wake Forest 17, Boston College 14	Wake Forest 17, Boston College 14
TCU 14, Clemson 10	Clemson 24, TCU 17
Florida State 31, South Florida 10	Florida State 42, South Florida 13
Rutgers 20, Maryland 17	Rutgers 20, Maryland 17
NC State 24, Pittsburgh 21	Pittsburgh 24, NC State 21

The Return Of The U?

ESPN.com

University of Miami @ Virginia Tech Preview

The 2009 meet between these two teams is the 27th in the series, will take place at Blacksburg on September 26. The game will be televised by ABC and it starts at 2:30 Central.

Both teams come in ranked to this bout, Miami at number 9 and VT number 11. For more details on this game and other ACC matchups this weekend check out Heather Dinich’s blog post, ‘On tap in the ACC: Week 4.’

The U Makes The AP Top 10

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Starting the season unranked and playing four ranked opponents, many did not gave Miami a chance to win a game on their first four tries; Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.

Today, after putting on a show in their first two games and winning (at No. 18 Florida State 38 – 34 and vs. No. 14 Georgia Tech 33 - 17) the Miami Hurricanes climbed up to number 9th in the AP Poll. ESPN’s ACC Blogger, Heather Dinich, posted the question; “Is Miami a top-10 team?” It is obvious that the coaches did not think so, because Miami made it at number 13th in the coaches poll, still a decent ascend from last week’s 20th ranking.

Postings and discussions about Miami going undefeated are already in the web and I have to admit that it is nice to be able to talk about your team in this situation, specially when living in Austin, in which all everyone ever talks about are the Longhorns. I also have to admit that I had a little chat/argument with one of my co-workers about who would be ranked on top if both Texas and the ‘Canes would go undefeated. But, the truth is that after just finishing week three non of it matters.

Is Miami a Top Ten school right now? I don’t think so, I do think that if they do what they are suppose to, they will be rank pretty high at the end of the season and if they do win out they will have a legitimate argument for the National Championship, but all that is a moo point if they don’t win next week, then the week after that and so on. I believe they should be able to win at Blacksburg, not easily, but they will be able to handle it. Their big test will come against Oklahoma and that is where they will really earn the Top Ten spot, at least in the eyes of the Nation. Although it is a wounded Oklahoma team (Sam may be back by that game), they still are a very respected national power.

Win or loose the next two games, Miami’s biggest challenge will be the next 8 teams. Teams that the ‘Canes should be able to handle easily. Why? You may ask, well game 1 at Florida State…. If you are a real Hurricane do you need anymore to get you hyped up than playing FSU? Maybe a lil’ Red Bull or ‘un cafécito,’ but not much more. Then, GT at home, a team which humiliated Miami a year ago, are the cheerleaders even necessary to get you hyped up? Then, the old buddy from the Big East, Virginia Tech, and pre-season pick to win the conference. Lastly, but definitely not least, the Oklahoma Sooners, Miami’s time to shine in front of a strong national stage…. if that doesn’t get you hyped up I don’t know what would.

The problem starts when they play the next 8 boring, ‘we are just playing you because we have to,’ teams… (except for maybe Clemson) Can they keep their tempo, electric atmosphere and swagger thru the end. Or, at least, will the desire to play FSU again in the conference championship keep them awake? This is where coach Shannon has to earn its keep and make them roar at Category 5 strength!

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Georgia Tech 17 @ Miami 33

All I have to say is, ‘WOW!!!’ Yesterday, I mentioned that this game would be a though one, one in which both teams had a legitimate chance to win. I also mentioned that GT was not going to run as much as last year. Well, I was happily semi-wrong:

• The game was not as close as the score shows, Miami was in control most of the game until last few minutes on the 4th quarter where they had two missed field goals and a couple of defensive glitches, one which ended up as a GT touchdown. Their total domination over the line of scrimmage in offense and defense was incredible. Jacory Harris passing was incredibly accurate, completing 20 of 25 for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Rushing was a nice surprise totaling 184 yards. But, the biggest shock was Miami’s defense completely stopping GT’s rushing. A Yellow Jacket team which totaled 335 yards and 301 yards in their first two games of the season respectively, let’s not forget about 472 yards against Miami last year, was completely stumped by a defense that only allowed them 95 yards.
• I knew that GT was not going rush for 472 yards again, but only 95 yards was a very nice surprise.
• By the second half Georgia Tech looked beat and gasping for air while The U was more focus than ever.
• How hard is it to find someone to kickoff the ball? Miami’s kick off ability is terrible, GT had good field position the whole game. Then in the fourth quarter, two missed field goals…. I’m pretty sure that the kicking team will be practicing overtime this week.

Miami vs. Georgia Tech

The third week of the NCAA Football season is upon us… so  quick :-( … This week my beloved Hurricanes play Georgia Tech in Miami. Georgia Tech has beaten Miami four years in a row, but the worst part is that today is the only day V wears her GT jersey. V attended GT for her graduate studies and usually doesn’t care much about, the Jackets, ‘Canes or football in general. But, just to bother me, when Miami and GT play she has to wear the jersey and make fun of me any chance she gets. Sadly, she’s had many chances as of late, including last year when GT ran for 472 yards. :-(

Let me tell you about why I’m excited about today’s game. I believe this game is going to be pretty tight. I do not think GT will be able to run as much as they have against Miami in the last few year, definitely not as much as last year, but they will run a lot. The difference will depend on Miami being over it’s tendencies of playing down to their opponents level and giving up when the time gets though.

Miami fans have a new found aspiration for the stars since Miami’s earlier display of guts against Florida State a couple of weeks ago. The win over FSU did not proved that Miami was back to its heydays or that it is at the same level as today’s Gators and Longhorns, but what it did proved was that the team is willing to duke it out until the end. Also, that they are willing to let it fly often and be aggressive, something missing in the last few years.

Many did not think that Miami would win any of the first four games, so whatever we get is a bonus. What I'm anxious to see is if the ‘Canes have improved enough to take it to the rest of the teams in the schedule after Oklahoma. Teams that Miami should be able to handle easily, but they seem to find a way to loose.

As for V…. enjoy while you can!!! Although the ‘Canes will not be winning a national championship this year, I see them taking over the conference very soon. Finally!

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