I think people were split about whether they enjoyed the Gus Johnson call of Brandon Stokley's TD on Sunday, but the announcer himself went on the Dan Patrick Show today to defend his excitement. Via Sports Radio Interviews....

“I thought I was gonna have a heart attack. It was the most incredible thing. I’ve seen a lot of great things in sports. I started doing this in 1990, but I’ve never seen anything; not like in that in football. I mean wow.

Sometimes it’s kinda hard. Some people don’t like that, but in a moment like that, I can’t help but to let go. It’s a job, but c’mon we really don’t have jobs.”- Gus Johnson

Obviously the reason, I like Gus Johnson is because of that emotion, but he does have a tendency to blow things out of proportion. I mean, sure it was a great play, but a week one game between two teams that aren't making the Playoffs? I dunno.

Gus Johnson: “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like That Before In Football” (Sports Radio Interviews)

If you were watching FOX Baseball over the weekend, you may have been one of the precious few to get a preview of Tim McCarver's new album! MLB on FOX, played some of the songs for the viewing audience, and what was a surprise to everyone, it really wasn't that bad. Via The Sporting Blog....

McCarver has a new album coming out called Tim McCarver Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook. My assumption is that there is no actual printed songbook he reads from (if there is, I want video), but rather the concept of great American classics that people have chronicled together. And classics they are. McCarver's dulcet tones serenade us with the likes of "One for My Baby (And One More For The Road)" and "Gone With The Wind."

But here's the thing – by the sound of it, McCarver can really sing. When the Fox telecast cut back from a break they showed the Phillie Phanatic dancing to one of the old classics and play-by-play man Howie Rose made the joke that we weren't listening to Frank Sinatra play over the PA, but McCarver instead. And after hearing his 'talk-as-singing' style that Sinatra made so famous, it was quite a pleasant sound. If you're a sports fan and a fan of old crooners, this album will be right up your alley as nobody in sports is as old and 'croony' as McCarver.

Who would have thunk it? Maybe McCarver should consider a career move. In fact, I think everyone should buy it from Amazon now, so we can plant that seed.

Press Coverage (The Sporting Blog)
Tim McCarver Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook (Amazon)

This whole Emmitt Smith as a rogue reporter, for various networks, is highly entertaining. He was last seen talking about tailgating on FOX Sports, but this Friday he's heading to the big time. Emmitt will be taking both the Today Show's, Matt Lauer and Al Roker, on a tour of the Cowboys' new stadium!

Not only will Emmitt be your tour guide this Friday, but Lauer will be interviewing Jerry Jones, and Roker will be hanging with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The unintentional comedy of this event could be off the charts.

Here is your Week Three College Football Announcing Schedule, brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the Week. This week's lovely lady is, Nayfe (center). Her favorite class is Advertising Copywriting and Concept (really), her guilty pleasure is T.G.I Friday's Brownie Obsession and she's terrified of needles! Ready? Okay!!!

Thursday, September 17th

Georgia Tech @ Miami (ESPN, 7:30pm)- Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews

Friday, September 18th

Boise State @ Fresno State (ESPN, 9pm)- Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore

Saturday, September 19th

California @ Minnesota (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman
East Carolina @ North Carolina (ESPN2, Noon)- Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
Duke @ Kansas (Versus, Noon)- Ron Thulin, Kelly Stouffer, Lewis Johnson
Louisville @ Kentucky (ESPNU, Noon)- Clay Matvick, David Diaz-Infante
Ball State @ Army (CBS College Sports, Noon)- Dave Ryan, Jason Sehorn
Eastern Michigan @ Michigan (BTN, Noon)- Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin, Charissa Thompson
Temple @ Penn State (BTN, Noon)- Ari Wolfe, Anthony Herron, Kenny Jackson
Northern Illinois @ Purdue (BTN, Noon)- Craig Coshun, Rod Woodson, Larra Overton
Wofford @ Wisconsin (BTN, Noon)- Matt Devlin, Glen Mason, Jay Wilson
North Texas @ Alabama (SEC Network/FS Detroit/CSN Bay Area/CSN Wash/MSG, Noon)- Dave Neal, Andre Ware, Cara Capuano
Boston College @ Clemson (Raycom, Noon)- Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood
Ohio State v. Toledo (ESPN Plus, Noon)- Michael Reghi, Doug Chapman
Furman @ Missouri (FSN PPV, 2pm)- Dan McLaughlin, Howard Balzer, Todd Donoho
Tennessee @ Florida (CBS, 3:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson
Michigan State @ Notre Dame (NBC, 3:30pm)- Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Alex Flanagan
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech (ABC, 3:30pm)- Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Holly Rowe
Arizona @ Iowa (ABC, 3:30pm)- Mike Patrick, Craig James, Heather Cox
USC @ Washington (ABC, 3:30pm)- Terry Gannon, David Norrie, Quint Kessenich
Utah @ Oregon (ESPN, 3:30pm)- Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham
Tulsa @ Oklahoma (FSN, 3:30pm)- Joel Meyers, Dave Lapham, Jim Knox (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit+, Houston, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West; FSN Northwest, Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain; CSN Bay Area, Chicago, Philadelphia; SUN; MSG+; FCS Pacific)
Indiana @ Akron (ESPNU, 3:30pm)- Todd Harris, Charles Arbuckle
Virginia @ Southern Mississippi (CBS College Sports, 3:30pm)- Jason Knapp, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Wyoming @ Colorado (FCS Central, 3:30pm)- Drew Goodman, Yogi Roth
Alabama-Birmingham @ Troy (ISP Sports/CSS/FCS Atl, 3:30pm)- Sam Smith, Roger Schultz
Florida International @ Rutgers (Big East Network/SNY, 5pm)- Bob Picozzi, John Gregory
Cincinnati @ Oregon State (FSN, 6:45pm)- Rich Burk, Steve Preece (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit+, Midwest, North, Ohio, Southwest, West; FSN Northwest, Pittsburgh; CSN Bay Area, New England, Washington; SportSouth; MSG+; FCS Central)
Florida State @ Brigham Young (Versus, 7pm)- Joe Beninati, Glenn Parker, Lindy Thackson
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Louisiana State (ESPNU, 7pm)- Eric Collins, Brock Huard
Mississippi State @ Vanderbilt (FSN Regional, 7pm)- Bob Rathbun, Dave Archer, Jenn Hildreth
Northwestern @ Syracuse (Time Warner-NY, 7pm)- TBD
Air Force @ New Mexico (CBS College Sports, 7:30pm)- Tom Hart, Aaron Taylor
Southeast Louisiana @ Mississippi (CSS/CST/CSN NWest/CSN Philly, 7:30pm)- Doug Bell, JC Pearson
Buffalo @ Central Florida (Bright House, 7:30pm)- Drew Fellios, Mark Royals, Dave Baumann
Georgia @ Arkansas (ESPN, 7:45pm)- Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews
West Virginia @ Auburn (ESPN2, 7:45pm)- Mark Jones, Bob Davie
Texas Tech @ Texas (ABC, 8pm)- Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters
Texas-El Paso @ New Mexico State (Aggie Vision, 8pm)- Glen Cerny, Danny Knee
Louisiana-Monroe @ Arizona State (FS Arizona/FCS Pacific, 10pm)- Tom Leander, Juan Roque, Jody Jackson
Kansas State @ UCLA (FSN, 10:15pm)- Barry Tompkins, Petros Papadakis, Michael Eaves (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West; FSN Pittsburgh; CSN California, Chicago (JIP), New England, Philadelphia, Washington; MSG+; FCS Central)
Hawaii @ Nevada-Las Vegas (MTN/CBS College Sports, 11pm)- James Bates, Todd Christensen, Toby Christensen

Ah Suzy. Ever the professional, even when a player tells you they don't even want to talk to you. Just keep that hair bouncing until he acknowledges you. Well at least she didn't try to hook up with him on live television (*ahem* Andrea Kremer! *cough*)....

We'll be doing some more live blogging tonight over at 12StepDrop. Brady's back and Jon Gruden makes his official debut on Monday Night Football. Not only that, but we have a second game as well! I'm sure there are a lot of fantasy games hanging in the balance, so bring your "A" material! We'll get going right around 7pm, but in the meantime....let's get those predictions!!!

Buffalo at New England (ESPN, 7pm)- Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden
San Diego at Oakland (ESPN, 10:15pm)- Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic, Steve Young

Lines: NE -13, O/U 47.5 - SD -10, O/U 42.5