Fitness
College Football Week 4 Recap: Dynasties Falter, Underdogs Thrive
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
College football Week 4 turned out to be the most dramatic stretch of the season yet. A few of the sport’s biggest brands lost, others almost lost, and a handful of games went right down to the wire. Six more ranked teams faltered this weekend, continuing a trend of ranked teams losing at historic rates: 25 in four weeks, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Aside from the sport’s obvious two best teams, Alabama and Georgia, it has now become unusually difficult to figure out who’s good and who isn’t. But we’ll try anyway: Here’s an attempt to sort out whose stock rose and whose fell during a surprisingly prickly weekend of games.
Winner: Arkansas
TREYLON BURKS IS GONE💨💨💨#CFB
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 25, 2021
The Razorbacks didn’t win an SEC game in 2018 or 2019—the two years they were coached by former SMU boss Chad Morris. When Arkansas hired Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman ahead of last season, they handed him the biggest rebuilding job in the SEC. Less than two years in, he’s delivered. Arkansas beat Texas A&M 20–10 on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The Hogs have beefed up considerably under Pittman, and their defense overwhelmed A&M QB Zach Calzada. Arkansas will probably lose to No. 2 Georgia next weekend, but that shouldn’t detract from the program’s rapid progress.
Loser: Jimbo Fisher
Fisher, A&M’s head coach, was on the losing end of that game. He’s a $9 million-a-year coach who built his career on a reputation as a good offensive schemer and someone who works effectively with quarterbacks. This year, after losing starter Kellen Mond to the NFL, A&M had a preseason battle between redshirt freshman Haynes King and redshirt sophomore Calzada for the starting job. King won, but he was injured in the Aggies’ second game. Since taking over, Calzada simply hasn’t been up to the job: He has a 52.8 percent completion rate, four touchdowns, three interceptions, and a dismal 5.7 yards per throw in parts of four games. A&M’s title hopes boiled down to Fisher finding a QB who could win with an elite defense. So far, he hasn’t been able to do that.
Winner: NC State
As called on NC State radio: pic.twitter.com/W1NwTeaVOP
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 25, 2021
Few college football fan bases have known more consistent pain than the Wolfpack. The Pack have not even shared an ACC title since 1979, and the program has never once played in a New Year’s Six or BCS-level bowl game. NC State is usually pretty good but has perpetually failed to get over the hump, especially against Carolina rivals like Clemson. But the Wolfpack beat the Tigers 27–21 in overtime on Saturday for their most triumphant moment in years. Dave Doeren’s defense punished Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei all afternoon, and the offense scored a winning TD in overtime after kicker Christopher Dunn missed three field goals in regulation, including one that would’ve ended the game at the buzzer.
Loser: Clemson
The Tigers have two September losses and are out of the College Football Playoff race much earlier than usual. (Every year since 2015, Clemson has at least been in the mix until the end of the regular season.) Clemson has a ton of issues. Five-star QB Uiagalelei looks totally out of sorts and could only manage 111 yards on 26 attempts in Raleigh (a 4.3-yard average). Running back Will Shipley, who’s now one of several key Tigers dealing with potentially serious injuries, has not been able to get rolling behind a lousy offensive line. In addition, the offensive play-calling has looked stale this season. Clemson still plays great defense, but this is Dabo Swinney’s worst team in years, and there’s no clear answer for a turnaround.
Winner: The ACC
BOSTON COLLEGE PICKS IT OFF TO WIN IT IN OT ‼️‼️‼️@BCFootball remains undefeated! pic.twitter.com/1g9pStagSa
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 25, 2021
Clemson’s struggles leave the door wide open in a conference the Tigers have won each year since 2015. NC State might have both the defense and the QB (Devin Leary) to break through this fall. Boston College, under second-year coach Jeff Halfley, beat Missouri in overtime on Saturday and scored 41 points with a backup QB to move to 4–0. Wake Forest is also unbeaten under the always-solid Dave Clawson and pulverized a pretty decent Virginia team in Charlottesville on Friday by a score of 37–17. Syracuse beat Liberty (and their potential first-round NFL QB Malik Willis) and looks to have a vastly improved defense. Even Pitt, which lost to Western Michigan a week ago, is getting great QB play from Kenny Pickett and still looks like a contender in the league. The ACC has not had this much parity in a long time; it’ll be fun to watch it play out.
Loser: Iowa State
THE 2-POINT CONVERSION IS NO GOOD!@BUFootball‘s defense intercepts Purdy in the end zone to hang on to the lead pic.twitter.com/4WfJrO1F7Y
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021
With Oklahoma still unbeaten but struggling badly (including nearly losing to West Virginia at home on Saturday), Iowa State has an opening to make a Big 12 title run this year. The Cyclones didn’t help their cause by losing in dramatic fashion at Baylor, 31–29, over the weekend. ISU QB Brock Purdy, thought to be one of the best players in the conference, has been one of the Big 12’s least effective passers through four games. He is eighth among qualified Big 12 passers in ESPN’s QBR, only ahead of KU’s Jason Bean. Things could be better in Ames.
Winner: UTSA
It’s GOOD!! UTSA’s @hd_duplessis knocks it in from 42 yards to give @UTSAFTBL the 31-28 victory at Memphis, snapping the Tiger’s 17-game home winning streak dating back to 2018!!
UTSA is now 4-0 to start the season#TheCUSAWay pic.twitter.com/yj3QhezmY5
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 25, 2021
The Roadrunners, who are only in their 10th season as a major program, are tracking toward their best season ever. They came back from a 21–0 first-quarter deficit at Memphis on Saturday to beat the Tigers 31–28 thanks to a last-second field goal by Hunter Duplessis. Running back Sincere McCormick (three TDs) could be the best offensive player in Conference USA, and head coach Jeff Traylor has UTSA playing with fire on both sides of the ball.
Loser: USC
There goes B.J. Baylor!
He hit the jets on a BIG run for @BeaverFootball 😤⚡️ pic.twitter.com/NVvTi8AKWR
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 26, 2021
The Trojans fired Clay Helton, their chronically underachieving head coach, two weeks ago. It appears they still have a long way to go, because Oregon State destroyed them on Friday night, 45–27, in Los Angeles. That should never happen. The game wasn’t even as close as the 18-point margin indicated. OSU was up by that much in the third quarter.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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