Now I'm 11-4 thanks to the Colorado vs Alabama game. In the Independence Bowl, the Tide jumped out to a 27-0 lead after picking off Buffs QB Cody Hawkins on the first offensive play. Tide qb John Parker Wilson threw three touchdown passes in this time. Hawkins got CU on the board before the half with two scores to make it 27-14. The Buffs made it interesting in the second half getting a field goal in the third and another tochdown in the fourth but couldn't get over the hump as the Tide held on to win 30-24.
The New Years Eve Slate is full with six games today.
Armed Forces Bowl
Cal (6-6) vs Air Force (6-6)
There was a point in the season when Cal was being mentioned as a national title contender. They blew out Tennesse to open the season and even beat Oregon at Oregon. Then the wheels came off the bus. Cal receiver DeSean Jackson came into the season a Heisman Candidate but disappeared in too many games and qb Nate Longshore has not been consistent. Air Force is in their first bowl game since 2002 and doesn't mind spending New Years Eve at a lower bowl. Cal is just ready for the season to be over. As much as I want to pick Air Force and their triple option attack, Cal has too much talent. I hope it shows up and Cal wins.
Sun Bowl
USF (9-3) vs Oregon (8-4)
USF has had their most successful season in their short history while Oregon looked well on its way to playing for the title until losing Dennis Dixon. Take three weeks away from the Bulls season and they may be playing in the title game as well. I expect this game to be a thriller and whoever gets the run game working will get the win. Even though the Ducks have Jonathan Stewart I think the Bulls get it done in another close game.
Humanitarian Bowl
Fresno St. (8-4) vs Georgia Tech (7-5)
This is another tale of which team shows up to play. Fresno St. will be pumped to have the chance to knock off a BCS opponent while Georgia Tech will be coached by defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta. I think Fresno comes out pumped to play and takes the win after withstanding the GT emotional push at the beginning of the game.
Music City Bowl
What's left of Florida State (7-5) vs Kentucky (7-5)
So by now we have all heard that FSU suspended a third of their team. FSU has two options: they can use the suspensions as an excuse, or use them as motivation to win after being counted out. Kentucky is making a return trip to Nashville after beating Clemson last year. Andre Woodson will put on a show in his last auditon for the NFL scouts and as much as it pains me to say it, lead his team to victory.
Insight Bowl
Indiana (7-5) vs Oklahoma St. (6-6)
Former coach Terry Hoppener made it his team's goal to play "13" meaning they would make it to a bowl game. The Hoosiers made their late coach proud and did more than just squeak by winning their last game. OSU's biggest headline is coach Mike Gundy screaming at a reporter. IU wins by riding an emotional wave for the entire game.
Chick-Fil-A Bowl
Auburn (8-4) vs Clemson (9-3)
The commentators may get confused when talking about these Tigers. Finally Clemson didn't have their late season swoon while Auburn fired offensive coordinator Al Borges and replaced him with Tony Franklin. Franklin is from Troy and well versed in the spread but I don't know if Auburn's terrible offense can figure it out in time to beat Clemson. Clemson wins.
The last of the picks will come later.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Bowl Recap and the Last of the Picks
The Bowl picks started off really well but currently I'm 11-3 in getting them right. While I picking the finals right I'm not getting to many of the score predictions right. Utah pulled out a victory against Navy and FAU continued its USF like rise with a win over Memphis. The Tigers defense let them down again giving up five touchdown passes to Owl quarterback Rusty Smith. I see FAU using this as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
Southern Miss coach Jeff Bowers hung around to coach the bowl but his players didn't get up to give him a proper send off as they lost to Cincinnati. The Bearcats acutally lost the turnover battle but Ben Mauk threw four touchdown passes in the 31-21 win.
The New Mexico Bowl is the first game I got wrong. I thought Nevada would have too much offense for the Lobos but New Mexico shut them out and completely dominated. I was way off.
BYU made me right by blocking a last second field goal. After UCLA had driven right down the field for what looked like the winning drive, Eathyn Manumaleuna got a hand on the kick. The Cougars escaped with a one point win and revenge on the Bruins.
I also thought Boise State would wear East Carolina out. I didn't bargain for Ian Johnson not playing or for ECU running back Chris Johnson having a record day in producing 408 all-purpose yards. Chris Johnson picked a bad time to have his first fumble of the season late in the game, but kicker Ben Hartman nailed a 34 yarder as time expired to finish the upset.
Purdue and Central Michigan's rematch in the Motor City Bowl looked a lot like their first matchup this season with the Boilermakers having their way. Purdue opened up a 34-13 halftime lead thanks to two Curtis Painter touchdowns passes and two more Kory Sheets runs. The Chippewas roared back with a 28 point third quarter riding the arm and legs of Dan LeFevour and tied the game a 41. The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Purdue was able to pull out the win with Chris Summers 34-yard field goal to make the score 51-48. Painter set a school record 546 passing yards in the game and LeFevour with 292 yards passing and four touchdowns to go with 119 rushing and two more.
Arizona State is used to playing from behind but they had not done it against a team as talented as Texas who won the Holiday Bowl 52-34. The game looked over after Texas recovered a lateral by the Sun Devils but one of the sideline people for Texas "touched" the ball. This gave the ball back to ASU who scored to make the score 21-7. The game was never really close at all as the Sun Devils never had an answer for Jamaal Charles who finished with 161 yards and two touchdowns.
I thought BC would roll Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl but the Eagles probobly didn't want to be there and MSU was happy to be in the game. Matt Ryan came up with three touchdown passes in his last college game but MSU was able to keep the rushing game in check.
TCU's defense won the battle of Texas, Oregon St. defeated Maryland, Wake Forest shut out UConn in the second half to win, Mississippi St. kept Kevin Smith from breaking the rushing record and beat UCF, and Penn St. move Joe Pa closer to Bobby Bowden by beating Texas A&M.
I'll pick the rest of the games next post.
Southern Miss coach Jeff Bowers hung around to coach the bowl but his players didn't get up to give him a proper send off as they lost to Cincinnati. The Bearcats acutally lost the turnover battle but Ben Mauk threw four touchdown passes in the 31-21 win.
The New Mexico Bowl is the first game I got wrong. I thought Nevada would have too much offense for the Lobos but New Mexico shut them out and completely dominated. I was way off.
BYU made me right by blocking a last second field goal. After UCLA had driven right down the field for what looked like the winning drive, Eathyn Manumaleuna got a hand on the kick. The Cougars escaped with a one point win and revenge on the Bruins.
I also thought Boise State would wear East Carolina out. I didn't bargain for Ian Johnson not playing or for ECU running back Chris Johnson having a record day in producing 408 all-purpose yards. Chris Johnson picked a bad time to have his first fumble of the season late in the game, but kicker Ben Hartman nailed a 34 yarder as time expired to finish the upset.
Purdue and Central Michigan's rematch in the Motor City Bowl looked a lot like their first matchup this season with the Boilermakers having their way. Purdue opened up a 34-13 halftime lead thanks to two Curtis Painter touchdowns passes and two more Kory Sheets runs. The Chippewas roared back with a 28 point third quarter riding the arm and legs of Dan LeFevour and tied the game a 41. The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Purdue was able to pull out the win with Chris Summers 34-yard field goal to make the score 51-48. Painter set a school record 546 passing yards in the game and LeFevour with 292 yards passing and four touchdowns to go with 119 rushing and two more.
Arizona State is used to playing from behind but they had not done it against a team as talented as Texas who won the Holiday Bowl 52-34. The game looked over after Texas recovered a lateral by the Sun Devils but one of the sideline people for Texas "touched" the ball. This gave the ball back to ASU who scored to make the score 21-7. The game was never really close at all as the Sun Devils never had an answer for Jamaal Charles who finished with 161 yards and two touchdowns.
I thought BC would roll Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl but the Eagles probobly didn't want to be there and MSU was happy to be in the game. Matt Ryan came up with three touchdown passes in his last college game but MSU was able to keep the rushing game in check.
TCU's defense won the battle of Texas, Oregon St. defeated Maryland, Wake Forest shut out UConn in the second half to win, Mississippi St. kept Kevin Smith from breaking the rushing record and beat UCF, and Penn St. move Joe Pa closer to Bobby Bowden by beating Texas A&M.
I'll pick the rest of the games next post.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Bowl Picks and Last Night's Hoops
First things first, I hope Bobby Bowden's wins don't get taken away. That would be the beginning of the end of one of the best coaching careers in sports. As it stands, Coach Bowden is two games ahead of Joe Paterno. Many people are calling for Coach Bowden to step down but let the man decide when he wants to leave. The Program may be in a rut of mediocrity and having academic troubles, but all things in sports are cyclical. Bobby bought FSU to where it is and spoiled the very people that want him out but let him leave on his own terms.
Now that that is off my chest:
I got the first game right in picking Utah to defeat Navy in the Poinsietta Bowl (excuse that) its the San Diego County Poinsietta Bowl. My girlfriend reminded me that companies pay a lot of money to sponsor these things so I should use the names. To be honest I got nervous in the third quarter after Navy fullback Eric Kattani had a 38 yard touchdown run but the Utes bounced right back with two scores of their own. Ute quarterback Brian Johnson ran the spread efficiently finishing the game with 226 yards passing and a score to go with 69 yards rushing and another touchdown. I wouldn't feel bad for Navy and first time coach Ken Muiatalo who took over after Paul Johnson left for Georgia Tech, he seems to have picked up right were Johnson left off and all that spells is more Commander-in-Chief Trophies.
If anyone missed the Duke-Pitt game last night from Madison Square Garden I hope you have ESPN Classic. Pitt defeated the Blue Devils 65-64 in overtime when Levance Fields, a junior from Brooklyn, hit a three with 4.7 seconds left. Duke guard Jon Schyer missed a three at the other end and a putback attempt to end the game. Fields finished with 21 points. It looked like the Blue Devils were going to run the Panthers off the floor in the first half taking a 16-point lead. Duke was still up double digits in the second half before a scoring drought allowed Pitt to close the gap and take the lead. Freshman DeJuan Blair was a force all night and exploited Duke's inside weakness to the tune of 15 points and 20 rebounds. I forgot to mention him in the freshmen to watch and there will be more to come. The night wasn't all roses for Pitt, forward Mike Cook hurt his knee and may have taken the Panthers chances of winning the Big East down a notch.
I've been looking forward all season to the Duke vs North Carolina matchups but if Duke gets killed on the boards like they did last night, Hasnborough and Co. are going to manhandle them inside. Why is it that Duke can find guards and shooters all over the place but can't find a stud big man?
Oklahoma pulled out a "neutral" court win in Oklahoma City against number 18 Gonzaga last night as well. Not as exciting as the Pitt-Duke game but it came down to three Sooners players hitting one of two free throws at the end of the game to put away. Jeff Capel has things going in the right direction and once he gets out from under the Kelvin Sampson sacntions the Sooners will be back in the talk of conference championships.
Don't forget all of the games tomorrow. It starts at noon and continues all day.
On with the rest of the bowl picks:
Motor City Bowl
Purdue vs Central Michigan
Another rematch game from eariler in the season. I thought the bowls were going to give us interesting matchups we don't normally get to see. Purdue won the first game in September 45-22 and I don't think Central Michigan is going to be 23 points better the day after Christmas but they do have a little homefield advantage. One good thing is we get to see Chippewa quarterback Dan LeFevour who had 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing this season like Tim Tebow.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Texas vs Arizona St.
I don't know how they do it but the Holiday Bowl always ends up with what looks a good matchup on paper. I say looks like becausue of Cal's thrashing of Texas A&M last year. This year game should be a lot better with Arizona State playing Texas. Both looked poised to make the BCS until some late seaons losses. ASU has been the comeback kids of the season after coming from behind in many of their wins. However, I wouldn't want to fall behind the Longhorns and have to stop Jamal Charles in the second half. Texas wins going away.
Champs Sports Bowl
Texas Bowl
Houston vs TCU
If you're gonna name a bowl after the state you might as well as have two teams from the state. The question of the game is can TCU's defense stop Houston's offense? I'll go with defense on this one and then pose another question, when coaching jobs come up whey does Gary Patterson of TCU never get mention when he churns out good defenses every year?
Emerald Bowl
Maryland vs Oregon State
Maryland takes on Oregon State in a bowl dear to my heart, the last time we had to watch Jeff Bowden run our offense. Oregon State wins on the legs of running back Yvenson Bernard before he leaves to be a poor man's Stephen Jackson in the NFL.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
UConn vs Wake Forest
UConn looked like a legit contender for the Big East Title after beating USF and Louisville until West Virginia ran them off the field. The UConn defense gives up a lot of yards but holds their opponents to 19 points a game. This is a virtual home game for Wake Forest as the game takes place in Charlotte. Wake doesn't put up great numbers but there has to be a reason Jim Grobe stayed around. Wake will make enough plays with their gimmick offense to get the win.
Liberty Bowl
UCF vs Mississippi St.
UCF offers up running back Kevin Smith and his quest to rush for 2600 yards. MSU goes to their first bowl game in some time behind Sylvester Croom and with their 30th ranked defense may have enough to stop Smith from breaking Barry Sanders' rushing record. MSU may do that but they won't win the game. UCF still wins.
Alamo Bowl
Texas A&M vs Penn St.
Dennis Franchione is long gone out of Aggieland and a lot richer for it. Mike Sherman hasn't totally taken over and the Aggies are in a sort of limbo. I think the Nittany Lions are relishing the opportunity to put JoePa closer to Bobby in the wins column for next season. At this point, they all count and the Lions beat an Aggie team with nothing to play for.
Independence Bowl
Colorado vs Alabama
They might as well call this We Ran Out of Teams to Invite and Your Fan Bases Travel Bowl. Both teams finished 6-6 and both teams lost to Florida State. Nick Saban hasn't exaclty been the savior that Tide fans expected but if they win he already improved the team by a game. Dan Hawkins is getting all kinds of praise in Boulder for bringing the back. The project continues and his son Cody leads the Buffs to a win.
December 31 games next time.
Now that that is off my chest:
I got the first game right in picking Utah to defeat Navy in the Poinsietta Bowl (excuse that) its the San Diego County Poinsietta Bowl. My girlfriend reminded me that companies pay a lot of money to sponsor these things so I should use the names. To be honest I got nervous in the third quarter after Navy fullback Eric Kattani had a 38 yard touchdown run but the Utes bounced right back with two scores of their own. Ute quarterback Brian Johnson ran the spread efficiently finishing the game with 226 yards passing and a score to go with 69 yards rushing and another touchdown. I wouldn't feel bad for Navy and first time coach Ken Muiatalo who took over after Paul Johnson left for Georgia Tech, he seems to have picked up right were Johnson left off and all that spells is more Commander-in-Chief Trophies.
If anyone missed the Duke-Pitt game last night from Madison Square Garden I hope you have ESPN Classic. Pitt defeated the Blue Devils 65-64 in overtime when Levance Fields, a junior from Brooklyn, hit a three with 4.7 seconds left. Duke guard Jon Schyer missed a three at the other end and a putback attempt to end the game. Fields finished with 21 points. It looked like the Blue Devils were going to run the Panthers off the floor in the first half taking a 16-point lead. Duke was still up double digits in the second half before a scoring drought allowed Pitt to close the gap and take the lead. Freshman DeJuan Blair was a force all night and exploited Duke's inside weakness to the tune of 15 points and 20 rebounds. I forgot to mention him in the freshmen to watch and there will be more to come. The night wasn't all roses for Pitt, forward Mike Cook hurt his knee and may have taken the Panthers chances of winning the Big East down a notch.
I've been looking forward all season to the Duke vs North Carolina matchups but if Duke gets killed on the boards like they did last night, Hasnborough and Co. are going to manhandle them inside. Why is it that Duke can find guards and shooters all over the place but can't find a stud big man?
Oklahoma pulled out a "neutral" court win in Oklahoma City against number 18 Gonzaga last night as well. Not as exciting as the Pitt-Duke game but it came down to three Sooners players hitting one of two free throws at the end of the game to put away. Jeff Capel has things going in the right direction and once he gets out from under the Kelvin Sampson sacntions the Sooners will be back in the talk of conference championships.
Don't forget all of the games tomorrow. It starts at noon and continues all day.
On with the rest of the bowl picks:
Motor City Bowl
Purdue vs Central Michigan
Another rematch game from eariler in the season. I thought the bowls were going to give us interesting matchups we don't normally get to see. Purdue won the first game in September 45-22 and I don't think Central Michigan is going to be 23 points better the day after Christmas but they do have a little homefield advantage. One good thing is we get to see Chippewa quarterback Dan LeFevour who had 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing this season like Tim Tebow.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Texas vs Arizona St.
I don't know how they do it but the Holiday Bowl always ends up with what looks a good matchup on paper. I say looks like becausue of Cal's thrashing of Texas A&M last year. This year game should be a lot better with Arizona State playing Texas. Both looked poised to make the BCS until some late seaons losses. ASU has been the comeback kids of the season after coming from behind in many of their wins. However, I wouldn't want to fall behind the Longhorns and have to stop Jamal Charles in the second half. Texas wins going away.
Champs Sports Bowl
Boston College vs Michigan State
In Orlando's first bowl game Matt Ryan leads Boston College against Michigan State. I don't understand how a 10-win team plays a team that barely made a bowl to begin with. Boston College wins big.
Texas Bowl
Houston vs TCU
If you're gonna name a bowl after the state you might as well as have two teams from the state. The question of the game is can TCU's defense stop Houston's offense? I'll go with defense on this one and then pose another question, when coaching jobs come up whey does Gary Patterson of TCU never get mention when he churns out good defenses every year?
Emerald Bowl
Maryland vs Oregon State
Maryland takes on Oregon State in a bowl dear to my heart, the last time we had to watch Jeff Bowden run our offense. Oregon State wins on the legs of running back Yvenson Bernard before he leaves to be a poor man's Stephen Jackson in the NFL.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
UConn vs Wake Forest
UConn looked like a legit contender for the Big East Title after beating USF and Louisville until West Virginia ran them off the field. The UConn defense gives up a lot of yards but holds their opponents to 19 points a game. This is a virtual home game for Wake Forest as the game takes place in Charlotte. Wake doesn't put up great numbers but there has to be a reason Jim Grobe stayed around. Wake will make enough plays with their gimmick offense to get the win.
Liberty Bowl
UCF vs Mississippi St.
UCF offers up running back Kevin Smith and his quest to rush for 2600 yards. MSU goes to their first bowl game in some time behind Sylvester Croom and with their 30th ranked defense may have enough to stop Smith from breaking Barry Sanders' rushing record. MSU may do that but they won't win the game. UCF still wins.
Alamo Bowl
Texas A&M vs Penn St.
Dennis Franchione is long gone out of Aggieland and a lot richer for it. Mike Sherman hasn't totally taken over and the Aggies are in a sort of limbo. I think the Nittany Lions are relishing the opportunity to put JoePa closer to Bobby in the wins column for next season. At this point, they all count and the Lions beat an Aggie team with nothing to play for.
Independence Bowl
Colorado vs Alabama
They might as well call this We Ran Out of Teams to Invite and Your Fan Bases Travel Bowl. Both teams finished 6-6 and both teams lost to Florida State. Nick Saban hasn't exaclty been the savior that Tide fans expected but if they win he already improved the team by a game. Dan Hawkins is getting all kinds of praise in Boulder for bringing the back. The project continues and his son Cody leads the Buffs to a win.
December 31 games next time.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Coach Parcells/Bowl Picks/NBA
Bill Parcells is back in football as the V.P. of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins. Just yesterday it was being reported that Parcells would be taking the same job with the Falcons but apparently that fell through and Parcells took the Dolphins job. I feel bad for Arthur Blank and the Falcon fans. Blank loses his coach, his team gets crushed on Sunday by the Bucs, and now he can't get the right guy to come run his football team. The man wants to win so badly but can't even find someone to run his team. Gotta applaud the effort. As for Cam Cameron, he's as good as gone.
Of all the games I talked about before I forgot to mention that there were two great NBA games last night. Boston matched up with Detroit and Dallas played Phoenix. Boston and Detroit battled down to the wire as both teams made spurts throughout the second half. You've probobly heard that Chauncey Billups hit two free throws to win the game and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see this game as a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. No one else on that side of the conference has a chance to get even close to either one of these teams. The series will go seven games but I'm not sure who will win, that pick will come later.
The Phoenix/Dallas game looked as if it was going to be a blowout until Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire took over in the second half and brought the Suns back before they lost a close game. Last night's game is the type Phoenix needs to win if they want to get to the NBA Finals. They won a game in San Antonio on Monday night but the Spurs played without Tony Parker. They have to prove they can win on the road. With Shawn Marion on the way out this may be the last chance the Suns have at winning a championship with this team. Basically, the road to the Finals travels through Texas.
Bowl Picks that are a long time coming:
Poinsietta Bowl
Navy has a contract to get the automatic bid to this bowl as long as they win eight games. Navy won another Commander-In-Chief Trophy and finally ended their 43-game losing streak to Notre Dame. I don't see them beating Utah who is on a roll and has won 7-of-8.
New Orleans Bowl
Howard Schnellenberger is working his magic again in South Florida this time with Florida Atlantic. The Owls play Memphis who fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn and got worse on defense. Memphis can score points like their hoops team but they can't stop anyone. FAU wins.
Papa Johns Bowl
Southern Miss for some reason decided to fire their long time coach Jeff Bowers earlier this year even though he posted another winning season. Cincinatti some how figured out a way to keep coach Brian Kelly from leaving for another job. The Bearcats have feasted on teams by creating turnovers and setting Ben Mauk and the boys for easy scores. Expect more of that as they win big.
New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico gets a de facto home game against Nevada but it won't matter. Nevada almost beat BCS Cinderella Hawaii and played Boise State well. New Mexico keeps getting to bowl games but doesn't win them. That won't change this year.
Las Vegas Bowl
BYU had a 10 win season but earlier this year lost a 27-17 game to the UCLA. UCLA is coming off another up and down season and is playing witihout a coach after Karl Dorrell was fired. The Cougars pull out a close one the second time around.
Hawaii Bowl
So Boise State loses the WAC and as a consolation gets to go back to Hawaii and get paid for it. Skip Holtz (yes Lou's son) led East Carolina to a 7-5 record. Boise State will want to put on another good showing on national television and a pep talk from Skip's dad won't help as Boise cruises.
After Christmas Bowls come in the next psot.
Of all the games I talked about before I forgot to mention that there were two great NBA games last night. Boston matched up with Detroit and Dallas played Phoenix. Boston and Detroit battled down to the wire as both teams made spurts throughout the second half. You've probobly heard that Chauncey Billups hit two free throws to win the game and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see this game as a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. No one else on that side of the conference has a chance to get even close to either one of these teams. The series will go seven games but I'm not sure who will win, that pick will come later.
The Phoenix/Dallas game looked as if it was going to be a blowout until Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire took over in the second half and brought the Suns back before they lost a close game. Last night's game is the type Phoenix needs to win if they want to get to the NBA Finals. They won a game in San Antonio on Monday night but the Spurs played without Tony Parker. They have to prove they can win on the road. With Shawn Marion on the way out this may be the last chance the Suns have at winning a championship with this team. Basically, the road to the Finals travels through Texas.
Bowl Picks that are a long time coming:
Poinsietta Bowl
Navy has a contract to get the automatic bid to this bowl as long as they win eight games. Navy won another Commander-In-Chief Trophy and finally ended their 43-game losing streak to Notre Dame. I don't see them beating Utah who is on a roll and has won 7-of-8.
New Orleans Bowl
Howard Schnellenberger is working his magic again in South Florida this time with Florida Atlantic. The Owls play Memphis who fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn and got worse on defense. Memphis can score points like their hoops team but they can't stop anyone. FAU wins.
Papa Johns Bowl
Southern Miss for some reason decided to fire their long time coach Jeff Bowers earlier this year even though he posted another winning season. Cincinatti some how figured out a way to keep coach Brian Kelly from leaving for another job. The Bearcats have feasted on teams by creating turnovers and setting Ben Mauk and the boys for easy scores. Expect more of that as they win big.
New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico gets a de facto home game against Nevada but it won't matter. Nevada almost beat BCS Cinderella Hawaii and played Boise State well. New Mexico keeps getting to bowl games but doesn't win them. That won't change this year.
Las Vegas Bowl
BYU had a 10 win season but earlier this year lost a 27-17 game to the UCLA. UCLA is coming off another up and down season and is playing witihout a coach after Karl Dorrell was fired. The Cougars pull out a close one the second time around.
Hawaii Bowl
So Boise State loses the WAC and as a consolation gets to go back to Hawaii and get paid for it. Skip Holtz (yes Lou's son) led East Carolina to a 7-5 record. Boise State will want to put on another good showing on national television and a pep talk from Skip's dad won't help as Boise cruises.
After Christmas Bowls come in the next psot.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Mitchell Report, Minnesota and More College Hoops
Everyone is still reeling from the Mitchell Report but I remembered what I love most about this time of year is that THERE IS NO BASEBALL. But I will mention a couple of things: First, Mark McGwire's name never came up in the Report. A lot of people that came up we knew about but I was suprised McGwire's name wasn't on the list. I don't think it validates him but it will make the people who kept him out of the Hall for this reason think twice the next time.
Also, why is it such an excuse for other players to use the "I only used it once or twice excuse,"? That's not an excuse and doesn't validate cheating.
College hoops season is making its last few runs through non-conference season and the rest of this week offers some great matchups before the big time kicks off:
Wednesday - Bradley at Butler - whoever wins will have another notch in their belt come tourney time
Memphis at Cincinatti - an old C-USA rivlary
UNC Ashville at Tennessee - Ashville could suprise them
Arizona at UNLV - With Kevin O'Neill at the helm the Cats are finally playing some D. Also watch for freshman Jerryd Bayless from Arizona, he's battling O.J. Mayo for Pac-10 freshman of the year.
USF makes a return trip to Wake Forest.
And just for watching: UNC plays tonight and so does Michigan State and Texas A&M.
Thursday - The big one tonight is when Duke travels to Pitt. Its the first big road game of many for the Blue Devils. In the nightcap Gonzaga plays Oklahoma.
Friday - Clemson and DePaul play in Puerto Rico. Friday is soft but that because that's the NBA's big night and Saturday has a lot of good matches.
Satruday - Georgetown at Memphis - The winner of this game may have a shot at being the number 1 team next week. Also, there will be a lot of talent on the floor with Roy Hibbert, DaJuan Summers, Jesse Sapp and Jonathan Wallace of GT and Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey of Memphis. There will be three stud freshmen logging major minutes in Austin Freeman, Chris Wright and Derrick Rose.
UCLA at Michigan - UCLA will win but and it will be a great time to finally watch the Bruins at full strength.
Texas and Michigan State in Detroit. Great time to watch the Longhorns D.J. Augustin matchup with MSU's Drew Neitzel. Kevin Durant got all of the pub but Augustin has had Texas cruising through this season. Texas may not have Durant but may be a better team now and Augustin is a big part of that.
Tennessee at Xavier - Great battle of two uptempo teams with solid guards.
Lastly, I've said it once and I'll say it again, Minnesota will be a rough matchup in the playoffs. I will also add Jacksonville to that list. A cold weather built team that plays in Florida. If they can run like that they can beat anybody.
Also, why is it such an excuse for other players to use the "I only used it once or twice excuse,"? That's not an excuse and doesn't validate cheating.
College hoops season is making its last few runs through non-conference season and the rest of this week offers some great matchups before the big time kicks off:
Wednesday - Bradley at Butler - whoever wins will have another notch in their belt come tourney time
Memphis at Cincinatti - an old C-USA rivlary
UNC Ashville at Tennessee - Ashville could suprise them
Arizona at UNLV - With Kevin O'Neill at the helm the Cats are finally playing some D. Also watch for freshman Jerryd Bayless from Arizona, he's battling O.J. Mayo for Pac-10 freshman of the year.
USF makes a return trip to Wake Forest.
And just for watching: UNC plays tonight and so does Michigan State and Texas A&M.
Thursday - The big one tonight is when Duke travels to Pitt. Its the first big road game of many for the Blue Devils. In the nightcap Gonzaga plays Oklahoma.
Friday - Clemson and DePaul play in Puerto Rico. Friday is soft but that because that's the NBA's big night and Saturday has a lot of good matches.
Satruday - Georgetown at Memphis - The winner of this game may have a shot at being the number 1 team next week. Also, there will be a lot of talent on the floor with Roy Hibbert, DaJuan Summers, Jesse Sapp and Jonathan Wallace of GT and Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey of Memphis. There will be three stud freshmen logging major minutes in Austin Freeman, Chris Wright and Derrick Rose.
UCLA at Michigan - UCLA will win but and it will be a great time to finally watch the Bruins at full strength.
Texas and Michigan State in Detroit. Great time to watch the Longhorns D.J. Augustin matchup with MSU's Drew Neitzel. Kevin Durant got all of the pub but Augustin has had Texas cruising through this season. Texas may not have Durant but may be a better team now and Augustin is a big part of that.
Tennessee at Xavier - Great battle of two uptempo teams with solid guards.
Lastly, I've said it once and I'll say it again, Minnesota will be a rough matchup in the playoffs. I will also add Jacksonville to that list. A cold weather built team that plays in Florida. If they can run like that they can beat anybody.
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Mitchell Report
After 20 months and $20 million, former Sen. George Mitchell finally released his report. Thanks to my boss sending it to me I got an hour to pour over it at work. Many people are praising him for naming 80 players as users of steroids or HGH during their careers. Some of the players we knew (the BALCO boys, Ken Caminiti, Jose Canseco) some of them were a suprise (Kevin Brown, David Justice and Nook Logan). I'm not sure what we're supposed to get out of the players being named. Nothing will happen to them as most will deny all of it, retired, or made their transgressions before the MLB had a steroid policy. The only things to come out of this are one: baseball fans can find more players to hate; two, the Hall of Fame credentials of some of these players will be questioned; and three, maybe MLB will now allow an outside agency to conduct their testing. Not sure how much if any of these will take place but I can say that my years of baseball that I enjoyed so much growing up don't mean much of anything anymore.
For those ten people across the country that do have NFL Network, they saw former No. 1 pick Mario Williams have his best game of the season. Williams talled 3 1/2 sacks in the Texans 31-13 win over the Broncos. Williams had this to say after the game, "This was our first big game on television and everyone was watching. We were the only ones on."
I hate to rain on your parade but only a fraction of the people that enjoy NFL Football so much on Sunday got to see the biggest game of your career to this point. Hopefully in the near future, meaning before the Giants make a last ditch attempt to stop the Pats from running the table, the cable companies and the NFL will get it all figured out.
Not sure how many people saw T.J. Ford crash to the floor the other night and get taken off on a strecher but I think his playing days are numbered. Ford missed the entire 2004-05 season after severly injuring his spine. That's what made the fall that much more nervewracking for the team and the fans. Ford is one of my favorite players ever since his days at Texas. I hope he figures out a way to come back and play but if he doesn't it will be another career cut too short.
For those ten people across the country that do have NFL Network, they saw former No. 1 pick Mario Williams have his best game of the season. Williams talled 3 1/2 sacks in the Texans 31-13 win over the Broncos. Williams had this to say after the game, "This was our first big game on television and everyone was watching. We were the only ones on."
I hate to rain on your parade but only a fraction of the people that enjoy NFL Football so much on Sunday got to see the biggest game of your career to this point. Hopefully in the near future, meaning before the Giants make a last ditch attempt to stop the Pats from running the table, the cable companies and the NFL will get it all figured out.
Not sure how many people saw T.J. Ford crash to the floor the other night and get taken off on a strecher but I think his playing days are numbered. Ford missed the entire 2004-05 season after severly injuring his spine. That's what made the fall that much more nervewracking for the team and the fans. Ford is one of my favorite players ever since his days at Texas. I hope he figures out a way to come back and play but if he doesn't it will be another career cut too short.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
After Finals Edtion
Another long delay but sometimes finals will do that to you. I have been out of the loop all weekend b/c of my devotion to not find out the result of the Mayweather/Hatton fight. I wasn't able to watch it on pay-per-view so I'm waiting to watch it this Saturday on the replay. Here are the few things I have been able to keep up with as I've boycotted every sports newspaper and website where I could find out what happened.
Tebow won the Heisman and will be back next year for a shot at it again. I think he has a legit chance to win it again but if his numbers dip any some may consider it a down year.
FSU finally announced that Bobby Bowden got a contract extension, whatever that means. Why don't FSU and Penn State just put in Coach Bowden's and Coach Paterno's contracts that they can coach until the other one dies. They won't fire either one of them, and even though both coaches say the wins record doesn't matter to them, they continue to let the programs they built into powerhouses reside in mediocrity for the sake of their legacy. I hope FSU took a step in the right direction by making Jimbo Fisher the coach-to-be, but their offense this year was still 82 in the country. Now it was these players first year in the offense and the coaches are getting their own players, but if Coach Bowden retires in three years and the offense still doesn't get any better, is making Coach Fisher the next Head Coach the right idea?
Some quick hits from football on Sunday:
After dispatching the Steelers, the Pats are going 19-0. They blow people out and always figure out a way to win the close ones when they need to. Brady and Moss are having the greatest year ever at their positions and this team won't be stopped in the playoffs. The guy that makes the busts in Canton can go ahead and get started on these two.
The Eagles keep finding ways to lose. After A.J. Feeley gave two games away with picks, Donovan McNabb couldn't drive the offense down the field after Brandon Jacobs gave them another shot. I've said it before and I'm saying it again, I've given up on the Eagles season.
I don't think anyone will want to play Minnesota in the playoffs. The way they can run the ball and stop the run, they would be a bad matchup for anyone.
The Bucs may win that division but they won't do anything in the playoffs. They were beaten by the Texans and stud qb Sage Rosenfels. Granted Jeff Garcia didn't play, but the entire defense was there.
I had no problems with LT giving Phillip Rivers the cold shoulder on the sidelines during the Titans/Chargers game. LT has carried that team for a long time and with Rivers playing poorly LT showed how upset he was. He could have pulled a T.O. and screamed at him on the sideline but he chose just walk away and win the game with a big run in overtime. The defense finally decided to play as well. As a side note, Albert Haynesworth is going to make a lot of loot in free agency this year. With him in the lineup LT had trouble going anywhere in the beginning of the game.
If Ryan Grant keeps running the way he does the Pack can get to the Super Bowl.
The Cowboys won another squeaker barely beating the Lions. Jon Kitna's preseason declaration of ten wins is wrong now and the Lions are still reeling after their fifth straight loss.
What made Waynen Huizenga think that Cam Cameron could coach an NFL team? He tanked at Indiana University and had never been much of a head coach. This once proud franchise has hit rock bottom and will take some time bouncing back.
The Cardinals are always a sheik pick to make the playoffs, myself included, but never seem to beat anyone they're not supposed to and feast on bad teams.
Derek Anderson and the Browns are the suprise of the season. Now what does Romeo and Phil Savage do with Brady Quinn?
For those who think the Colts will just get crushed by the Pats in New England in January better think twice. Yes the Colts are playing without Marvin Harrison but something tells me Coach Dungy and Peyton will have their team ready to play.
Something interesting as I'm reading Tony Dungy's book Quiet Strength, he ran a similar offense as the quarterback at Minnesota as the Colts are running now. His offensive coordinator both times: Tom Moore. As for the book, I'm enjoying it so far and I'll have more to say after I get through the first 50 pages.
Tebow won the Heisman and will be back next year for a shot at it again. I think he has a legit chance to win it again but if his numbers dip any some may consider it a down year.
FSU finally announced that Bobby Bowden got a contract extension, whatever that means. Why don't FSU and Penn State just put in Coach Bowden's and Coach Paterno's contracts that they can coach until the other one dies. They won't fire either one of them, and even though both coaches say the wins record doesn't matter to them, they continue to let the programs they built into powerhouses reside in mediocrity for the sake of their legacy. I hope FSU took a step in the right direction by making Jimbo Fisher the coach-to-be, but their offense this year was still 82 in the country. Now it was these players first year in the offense and the coaches are getting their own players, but if Coach Bowden retires in three years and the offense still doesn't get any better, is making Coach Fisher the next Head Coach the right idea?
Some quick hits from football on Sunday:
After dispatching the Steelers, the Pats are going 19-0. They blow people out and always figure out a way to win the close ones when they need to. Brady and Moss are having the greatest year ever at their positions and this team won't be stopped in the playoffs. The guy that makes the busts in Canton can go ahead and get started on these two.
The Eagles keep finding ways to lose. After A.J. Feeley gave two games away with picks, Donovan McNabb couldn't drive the offense down the field after Brandon Jacobs gave them another shot. I've said it before and I'm saying it again, I've given up on the Eagles season.
I don't think anyone will want to play Minnesota in the playoffs. The way they can run the ball and stop the run, they would be a bad matchup for anyone.
The Bucs may win that division but they won't do anything in the playoffs. They were beaten by the Texans and stud qb Sage Rosenfels. Granted Jeff Garcia didn't play, but the entire defense was there.
I had no problems with LT giving Phillip Rivers the cold shoulder on the sidelines during the Titans/Chargers game. LT has carried that team for a long time and with Rivers playing poorly LT showed how upset he was. He could have pulled a T.O. and screamed at him on the sideline but he chose just walk away and win the game with a big run in overtime. The defense finally decided to play as well. As a side note, Albert Haynesworth is going to make a lot of loot in free agency this year. With him in the lineup LT had trouble going anywhere in the beginning of the game.
If Ryan Grant keeps running the way he does the Pack can get to the Super Bowl.
The Cowboys won another squeaker barely beating the Lions. Jon Kitna's preseason declaration of ten wins is wrong now and the Lions are still reeling after their fifth straight loss.
What made Waynen Huizenga think that Cam Cameron could coach an NFL team? He tanked at Indiana University and had never been much of a head coach. This once proud franchise has hit rock bottom and will take some time bouncing back.
The Cardinals are always a sheik pick to make the playoffs, myself included, but never seem to beat anyone they're not supposed to and feast on bad teams.
Derek Anderson and the Browns are the suprise of the season. Now what does Romeo and Phil Savage do with Brady Quinn?
For those who think the Colts will just get crushed by the Pats in New England in January better think twice. Yes the Colts are playing without Marvin Harrison but something tells me Coach Dungy and Peyton will have their team ready to play.
Something interesting as I'm reading Tony Dungy's book Quiet Strength, he ran a similar offense as the quarterback at Minnesota as the Colts are running now. His offensive coordinator both times: Tom Moore. As for the book, I'm enjoying it so far and I'll have more to say after I get through the first 50 pages.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Heisman Trophy
I have been trying to avoid talking about football at all but with all the uproar about the Bowls I guess I should at least give my take.
First, Tim Tebow is going win the Heisman and if he doesn't then the voters are stupid. Five guys will probobly be in New York: Tebow, Colt Brennan, Darren McFadden, Chase Daniel and Pat White but none of them is as derserving as Tebow.
I'm not a Gator by any means but Tebow has had the best season with the 51 touchdowns. The only knock on him that anyone has been able to use this season is that he is a sophomore, or that his team lost three games and isn't in the title picture.
Colt Brennan has the out of this world numbers, 4100 passing yards and 38 touchdowns and his team is undefeated. However, they struggled to beat San Jose State and Nevada, two below average teams. He also spent some of the season hurt and his replacement Tyler Graunke put up crazy numbers as well. For June Jones to call Tebow a system qb is like the midget calling the dwarf short. Timmy Chang put up huge numbers in the run-and-shoot and Brennan came in and did it too. Just like Texas Tech qb's put up crazy numbers, Hawaii qb's do to.
Darren McFadden will most likely finish second. He had a few games where he fell off, mainly the 43 yard Auburn game, 66 yards against FIU, and the 88 yard game against Miss State. What puts McFadden in second is teh last game people remember seeing the LSU game where he was amazing, and his record setting performance against South Carolina. While I have no doubts that McFadden is the best player in college football, he won't win the Heisman because he didn't show up every week. I hope not winning puts a large chip on his shoulder and he puts on a show in the Cotton Bowl as a nice swan song out of college football.
I'm really sick of hearing about Pat White's Heisman candidacy. He puts up huge numbers in certain games but most of the time his team is up by a lot when he does. My friend Jason put it best by saying Pat White is a baller but not a gamer. A baller because he has all the talent and puts up, but a gamer comes up in the times his team needs him to. White got hurt in both of the games West Virginia lost. A thigh bruise kept him out at USF, and against Pitt with a chance to play for the national title, he let a banged up thumb keep him out of the game. If he was good enough to come back in when his team needed him most, he should have continued playing in such a big game.
Chase Daniel picked a bad time to play a terrible game. With his team number 1 and all eyes on him in the Big 12 Championship, Daniel threw for 219 yards with no touchdowns. He did run for one touchdown but Mizzou still lost by 21 points in a game that didn't seem that close. The prevailing wisdom was that Daniel could take the Heisman with a big performance, he just didn't have one.
So these are the five guys that will probobly be in New York on Saturday, but when the time comes Tebow will make history again becoming the first sophomore to win.
First, Tim Tebow is going win the Heisman and if he doesn't then the voters are stupid. Five guys will probobly be in New York: Tebow, Colt Brennan, Darren McFadden, Chase Daniel and Pat White but none of them is as derserving as Tebow.
I'm not a Gator by any means but Tebow has had the best season with the 51 touchdowns. The only knock on him that anyone has been able to use this season is that he is a sophomore, or that his team lost three games and isn't in the title picture.
Colt Brennan has the out of this world numbers, 4100 passing yards and 38 touchdowns and his team is undefeated. However, they struggled to beat San Jose State and Nevada, two below average teams. He also spent some of the season hurt and his replacement Tyler Graunke put up crazy numbers as well. For June Jones to call Tebow a system qb is like the midget calling the dwarf short. Timmy Chang put up huge numbers in the run-and-shoot and Brennan came in and did it too. Just like Texas Tech qb's put up crazy numbers, Hawaii qb's do to.
Darren McFadden will most likely finish second. He had a few games where he fell off, mainly the 43 yard Auburn game, 66 yards against FIU, and the 88 yard game against Miss State. What puts McFadden in second is teh last game people remember seeing the LSU game where he was amazing, and his record setting performance against South Carolina. While I have no doubts that McFadden is the best player in college football, he won't win the Heisman because he didn't show up every week. I hope not winning puts a large chip on his shoulder and he puts on a show in the Cotton Bowl as a nice swan song out of college football.
I'm really sick of hearing about Pat White's Heisman candidacy. He puts up huge numbers in certain games but most of the time his team is up by a lot when he does. My friend Jason put it best by saying Pat White is a baller but not a gamer. A baller because he has all the talent and puts up, but a gamer comes up in the times his team needs him to. White got hurt in both of the games West Virginia lost. A thigh bruise kept him out at USF, and against Pitt with a chance to play for the national title, he let a banged up thumb keep him out of the game. If he was good enough to come back in when his team needed him most, he should have continued playing in such a big game.
Chase Daniel picked a bad time to play a terrible game. With his team number 1 and all eyes on him in the Big 12 Championship, Daniel threw for 219 yards with no touchdowns. He did run for one touchdown but Mizzou still lost by 21 points in a game that didn't seem that close. The prevailing wisdom was that Daniel could take the Heisman with a big performance, he just didn't have one.
So these are the five guys that will probobly be in New York on Saturday, but when the time comes Tebow will make history again becoming the first sophomore to win.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Talk About Being Wrong
The season continues to be crazy. Again the number 1 and number 2 ranked teams both lost on the same weekend to baffle the BCS computers and leave everyone wondering what they're going to spit out tonight. Last season the Big 11 ended early and cost Michigan a chance in the title game, this season the two week layoff is the best thing to happen to the Bucks. Ohio State was able to sit around for two weeks and watch all of the teams ahead of them fall by the wayside. Now we have to wait and see who they will play from a gamut of teams: LSU, Georgia, Virginia Tech, USC, Arizona State, Oklahoma and Kansas.
I think I shouldn't pick any games anymore. I wasn't just wrong yesterday, I think I got only one or two games correct.
I started off great in the beginning day with Navy crushing Army 38-3. That was an easy one to pick as Army hasn't challenged Navy in some time now. The game looked competitive early but after Navy's Reggie Campbell ran a kick return back 98 yards for a touchdown to make the score 14-3. After that the Midshipmen did whatever they wanted.
UCF running back Kevin Smith had a huge day racking up 284 yards and four touchdowns. The Knights beat Tulsa going away 44-25. The first half was a shoot out as expected with each team trading scores. UCF went into the locker room up 31-23 but the second half was a different story as Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith was picked off twice near the endzone. The only points Tulsa could muster were a safety in the fourth quarter. With the win UCF earned a berth in the Liberty Bowl and a chance to face a not yet determined SEC opponent.
Here's where I go down the tubes with my picks:
Virginia Tech beat Boston College 30-16. The game was closer than the score shows as VT returned a late INT for a touchdown. I thought Matt Ryan could pull out a victory like he did before in Blacksburg. Ryan threw for 305 yards but also had two costly interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown. I figured BC's offense would have a better showing in a game where the weather was much better. VT used the two quarterback system to perfection. Sean Glennon passed for three touchdowns and Tyrod Taylor provided the change of pace that wasn't available the first time these two teams met. With all of the rest of the chaos that ensued Saturday VT has an outside shot of getting into the BCS Championship but will most likely meet West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Normally the second place ACC team goes back to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl but with all of the empty seats on the BC side I'm not so sure the Gator Bowl people will want that to happen again.
Les Miles had a great press conference about an hour before LSU took the field. He was visibly pissed that word leaked out that he was leaving to go to Michigan. He didn't lose his cool like Mike Gundy but he was stern with the reporters and really pissed off about the misinformation which I also posted yesterday:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jozMfyCX6Hk
What's even better is the look on the LSU higher ups faces as Miles leaves the room.
In the game Tennesse unveiled there hideous all orange uniforms and Erik Ainge played well enough to win. Ainge threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns but also threw two INTs. The second won cost UT the game as Jonathan Zenon took it back for the winning points in a 21-14 LSU win. The UT defense, which was one of the worst in the conference, played up to the task but ultimately their offense did them in. Ryan Perriloux was better than I expected him to be. He came out of high school with all of the hype but this was the first big game he started and he performed. He threw for 243 yards and a score. If LSU does get a shot at Ohio State regular quarterback Matt Flynn will be back but Les Miles should get back to the dual quarterback system that was so successful in the beginning of the season.
The Pac-10 was true to form on Saturday as USC captured their sixth straight conference title. Arizona St. got a 20-17 victory in a touch rivalry game to give themselves a shot at an at-large berth in the BCS. The Oregon and Cal games I was way off. Now let's see what the computers will spit out on Sunday.
I think I shouldn't pick any games anymore. I wasn't just wrong yesterday, I think I got only one or two games correct.
I started off great in the beginning day with Navy crushing Army 38-3. That was an easy one to pick as Army hasn't challenged Navy in some time now. The game looked competitive early but after Navy's Reggie Campbell ran a kick return back 98 yards for a touchdown to make the score 14-3. After that the Midshipmen did whatever they wanted.
UCF running back Kevin Smith had a huge day racking up 284 yards and four touchdowns. The Knights beat Tulsa going away 44-25. The first half was a shoot out as expected with each team trading scores. UCF went into the locker room up 31-23 but the second half was a different story as Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith was picked off twice near the endzone. The only points Tulsa could muster were a safety in the fourth quarter. With the win UCF earned a berth in the Liberty Bowl and a chance to face a not yet determined SEC opponent.
Here's where I go down the tubes with my picks:
Virginia Tech beat Boston College 30-16. The game was closer than the score shows as VT returned a late INT for a touchdown. I thought Matt Ryan could pull out a victory like he did before in Blacksburg. Ryan threw for 305 yards but also had two costly interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown. I figured BC's offense would have a better showing in a game where the weather was much better. VT used the two quarterback system to perfection. Sean Glennon passed for three touchdowns and Tyrod Taylor provided the change of pace that wasn't available the first time these two teams met. With all of the rest of the chaos that ensued Saturday VT has an outside shot of getting into the BCS Championship but will most likely meet West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Normally the second place ACC team goes back to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl but with all of the empty seats on the BC side I'm not so sure the Gator Bowl people will want that to happen again.
Les Miles had a great press conference about an hour before LSU took the field. He was visibly pissed that word leaked out that he was leaving to go to Michigan. He didn't lose his cool like Mike Gundy but he was stern with the reporters and really pissed off about the misinformation which I also posted yesterday:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jozMfyCX6Hk
What's even better is the look on the LSU higher ups faces as Miles leaves the room.
In the game Tennesse unveiled there hideous all orange uniforms and Erik Ainge played well enough to win. Ainge threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns but also threw two INTs. The second won cost UT the game as Jonathan Zenon took it back for the winning points in a 21-14 LSU win. The UT defense, which was one of the worst in the conference, played up to the task but ultimately their offense did them in. Ryan Perriloux was better than I expected him to be. He came out of high school with all of the hype but this was the first big game he started and he performed. He threw for 243 yards and a score. If LSU does get a shot at Ohio State regular quarterback Matt Flynn will be back but Les Miles should get back to the dual quarterback system that was so successful in the beginning of the season.
The Pac-10 was true to form on Saturday as USC captured their sixth straight conference title. Arizona St. got a 20-17 victory in a touch rivalry game to give themselves a shot at an at-large berth in the BCS. The Oregon and Cal games I was way off. Now let's see what the computers will spit out on Sunday.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Championship Saturday
I vowed to stop talking about college football last week but it makes up so much of the news right now. With the NBA not on television enough and college hoops not yet into conference season football is still the king. Especially this weekend.
This game hasn't gottne a lot of pub but Army/Navy is still one of the best shows in sports. To see the Midshipmen and the Cadets enter the stadium is a great scene. The game hasn't been much of a rivalry lately, Army hasn't won since 2001 when my high school teammate Ardell Daniels was the player of the game. Even worse, the games haven't even been that close. It would be good for the rivalry if the Cadets won but I don't see it happening. Navy will beat them by at least ten.
UCF opened their new stadium Bright House Networks Field this year and after a 9-3 season they get to host the C-USA Championship Game against Tulsa. Kevin Smith is still running wild for the Knights and today he will need to keep doing so to keep the ball from offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's powerful offense. Malzahn, the former OC at Arkansas has engineered Tulsa to the number one total offense in the country. The only problem is their defense is also 112th. Smith already has over 2000 yards and will run the Knights to victory.
Virginia Tech and Boston College have a rematch in Jacksonville to decide the ACC Championship. BC won the first time in the much watched Thursday night game as Matt Ryan brought BC back at the end to win 14-10. It rained in Blacksburg the last time but at a neutral site with better weather I expect Matty Ice to lead BC to another victory and this time by a larger margin.
Tennssee and LSU mixed it up in the SEC Championship Game and the question of the day is will LSU be prepared enough to win? Les Miles has been reported to be leaving for Michigan and D-Coordinator Bo Pelini has been rumored to Nebraska. I thought LSU was the most talented team this season but injuries and two triple overtime losses have kept them from being in a spot to go to the BCS Championship Game. LSU is even starting Ryan Perriloux at quarterback. If an upset happens today this is the game where it will happen. LSU has too many distractions and not enough to play for and UT will beat LSU without overtime.
In the Pac-10, instead of having a championship game they have their teams play an extra conference game. Today all of their big rivalries take place with the Civil War (Oregon-Oregon St.), the Big Game (Cal-Stanford), USC vs UCLA, and Arizona vs Arizona St. Oregon is playing their third and fourth string quarterbacks today as both Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf are both injured. That being said the game is being played at Oregon and with the emotions of a rivalry I think Oregon will pull off the win. It's been 25 years since the band ran on the field but Cal won't need to lateral the ball at all today and will beat Stanford by at least two touchdowns. As hard to believe as it is UCLA still has a chance to get to the Rose Bowl. With a win today and an Arizona St. loss, UCLA will make the Rose Bowl. However, USC is playing like one of the top teams in the country again and with the game played in the Coliseum UCLA won't upset the Trojans like last year. As far as Arizona St. and Arizona go, the Sun Devils still have a chance to make the Rose Bowl with a loss by USC. The Sun Devils will get a win but as I said before USC won't lose. ASU can still get an at large berth into the BCS with a win.
If you want to stay up until 2 this morning Hawaii continues their quest to crash the BCS against Washington. With quarterback Jake Locker still hurt the Huskies are going to have to hope they can score with the Warriors all game. Colt Brennan and his teammates are ready to contiune the WAC tradtion of getting to the BCS and the Huskies don't have a chance.
Lastly the Big 12 championship. Oklahoma won the last time in a game that they blew open in the fourth quarter. Last time the game was played in Norman and this time it will be played in San Antoinio with about a 50-50 crowd. Chase Daniel has a last chance to impress the Heisman voters tonight with a big game. Since losing to OU the first time Mizzou has been lights out. Daniel has thrown 17 touchdowns with only three picks since the last game. Freshman Jeremy Maclin could be the X-factor with a big special teams play on a return. All that being said, I'm still picking OU for one major reason http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/2007/1203.html - COVER JINX.
This game hasn't gottne a lot of pub but Army/Navy is still one of the best shows in sports. To see the Midshipmen and the Cadets enter the stadium is a great scene. The game hasn't been much of a rivalry lately, Army hasn't won since 2001 when my high school teammate Ardell Daniels was the player of the game. Even worse, the games haven't even been that close. It would be good for the rivalry if the Cadets won but I don't see it happening. Navy will beat them by at least ten.
UCF opened their new stadium Bright House Networks Field this year and after a 9-3 season they get to host the C-USA Championship Game against Tulsa. Kevin Smith is still running wild for the Knights and today he will need to keep doing so to keep the ball from offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's powerful offense. Malzahn, the former OC at Arkansas has engineered Tulsa to the number one total offense in the country. The only problem is their defense is also 112th. Smith already has over 2000 yards and will run the Knights to victory.
Virginia Tech and Boston College have a rematch in Jacksonville to decide the ACC Championship. BC won the first time in the much watched Thursday night game as Matt Ryan brought BC back at the end to win 14-10. It rained in Blacksburg the last time but at a neutral site with better weather I expect Matty Ice to lead BC to another victory and this time by a larger margin.
Tennssee and LSU mixed it up in the SEC Championship Game and the question of the day is will LSU be prepared enough to win? Les Miles has been reported to be leaving for Michigan and D-Coordinator Bo Pelini has been rumored to Nebraska. I thought LSU was the most talented team this season but injuries and two triple overtime losses have kept them from being in a spot to go to the BCS Championship Game. LSU is even starting Ryan Perriloux at quarterback. If an upset happens today this is the game where it will happen. LSU has too many distractions and not enough to play for and UT will beat LSU without overtime.
In the Pac-10, instead of having a championship game they have their teams play an extra conference game. Today all of their big rivalries take place with the Civil War (Oregon-Oregon St.), the Big Game (Cal-Stanford), USC vs UCLA, and Arizona vs Arizona St. Oregon is playing their third and fourth string quarterbacks today as both Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf are both injured. That being said the game is being played at Oregon and with the emotions of a rivalry I think Oregon will pull off the win. It's been 25 years since the band ran on the field but Cal won't need to lateral the ball at all today and will beat Stanford by at least two touchdowns. As hard to believe as it is UCLA still has a chance to get to the Rose Bowl. With a win today and an Arizona St. loss, UCLA will make the Rose Bowl. However, USC is playing like one of the top teams in the country again and with the game played in the Coliseum UCLA won't upset the Trojans like last year. As far as Arizona St. and Arizona go, the Sun Devils still have a chance to make the Rose Bowl with a loss by USC. The Sun Devils will get a win but as I said before USC won't lose. ASU can still get an at large berth into the BCS with a win.
If you want to stay up until 2 this morning Hawaii continues their quest to crash the BCS against Washington. With quarterback Jake Locker still hurt the Huskies are going to have to hope they can score with the Warriors all game. Colt Brennan and his teammates are ready to contiune the WAC tradtion of getting to the BCS and the Huskies don't have a chance.
Lastly the Big 12 championship. Oklahoma won the last time in a game that they blew open in the fourth quarter. Last time the game was played in Norman and this time it will be played in San Antoinio with about a 50-50 crowd. Chase Daniel has a last chance to impress the Heisman voters tonight with a big game. Since losing to OU the first time Mizzou has been lights out. Daniel has thrown 17 touchdowns with only three picks since the last game. Freshman Jeremy Maclin could be the X-factor with a big special teams play on a return. All that being said, I'm still picking OU for one major reason http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/2007/1203.html - COVER JINX.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Delmon Traded - Coaching Carousel
So one of my favorite Devil (yes I did say devil) Rays was traded yesterday in a six player swap with the Minnesota Twins. Right Fielder Delmon Young was traded along with Brendan Harris and minor leaguer Jason Pridie for pitcher Matt Garza, shortstop Jason Bartlett and minor pitcher Eduardo Morlan. Delmon had a great rookie season for our team in St. Pete if you take out the time he had to play center field in between Rocco Baldelli and B.J. Upton's injuries. Young hit .288 with 13 home runs and 93 RBI. Harris had a pretty good year hitting .286 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI. I really hope the Twins don't expect Delmon to replace Torii Hunter in center field, otherwise they are in for a rude awakening. He's a good right fielder with a cannon arm, a solid bat, and decent speed. Harris is your perfect utility infielder in that he can play all four positions and provide good speed on the bases as well as a solid bat.
Garza is one of the Twins prized pitching prospects and went 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA. The 24-year-old is a good compliment to Kazmir and Shields in the rotation. Bartlett plays good defense but only hit .265 with five home runs and 43 RBI. He also stole 23 bases. As far as the minor leaguers only time will tell if either of them even make it to the show.
With baseball in Hot Stove Season, Black Monday passes as college football goes through transistions with coaches all over the country getting fired, "resigning," or moving on to bigger and better jobs. In less than a week 10 coaches have been relived of their duties and there may be more to follow. Dennis Franchione is gone for Texas A&M but everyone saw that one coming like a hurricane in the Atlantic. The same can be said for Bill Callahan at Nebraska. Mike Sherman is already in place at A&M but I'm not sure how much he'll chnage the culture in College Station. In Lincoln Tom Osborne decided he will just go out on his own and recruit for the Huskers like he used to except he will choose the coach later probobly from the duo of former quarterback Turner Gill or LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini.
Ed Orgeron was fired from Ole Miss after receiving a vote of confidence form the school president in the middle of the season. Orgerson did go 10-25 as the coach in three years and will probobly head back to being someone's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, something he excels at.
Speaking of Ole Miss, Houston Nutt resigned from Arkansas on Monday and was the new Ole Miss coach by Tuesday. After all of the off-season turmoil (Mitch Mustain and the Springdale players transfer, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left, and his infamous text messaging before games) this was another forgone conclusion. Nutt did it the right in that he can say he was never fired, get a nice payment to leave, and then pick up a job in the same conference and if he's lucky, can stick it to his old team time and time again.
Joe Novak at Northern Illinois was also axed, but I only mentioned this because some hot coordinator could parlay this job into a big job opening.
Ted Roof at Duke. Not suprised either. 6-45 isn't good when the hoops team continually goes 45-6 in the same span of time. It is a lot easier to recruit three gusy that can get into your school and 20 each season. Word on the street is Steve Spurrier may want to go back to the school he made successful and hasn't been since he left.
Chan Gailey is gone and so are many of the players he recruited this year. He does have Calvin Johnson to show for his time there, but he also has Reggie Ball. Gailey will surface as someone's coordinator next year either in the show or in college.
Jeff Bower was let go after 17 seasons at Southern Miss. Good luck finding their next coach. Bower ahd 15 winning seasons there and no one is goin to be there long enough to make waves. After any success whoever they hire will jump to another job.
Sonny Lubick left Colorado State after years of mediocrity and Washington State got rid of Bill Doba who took over for Mike Price. Two bad jobs that will be lucky if they find somone to pull them out of the garbage.
I'm sure more changes will occur after next weeks championship games and into bowl season, we'll just have to wait and see what they are.
Garza is one of the Twins prized pitching prospects and went 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA. The 24-year-old is a good compliment to Kazmir and Shields in the rotation. Bartlett plays good defense but only hit .265 with five home runs and 43 RBI. He also stole 23 bases. As far as the minor leaguers only time will tell if either of them even make it to the show.
With baseball in Hot Stove Season, Black Monday passes as college football goes through transistions with coaches all over the country getting fired, "resigning," or moving on to bigger and better jobs. In less than a week 10 coaches have been relived of their duties and there may be more to follow. Dennis Franchione is gone for Texas A&M but everyone saw that one coming like a hurricane in the Atlantic. The same can be said for Bill Callahan at Nebraska. Mike Sherman is already in place at A&M but I'm not sure how much he'll chnage the culture in College Station. In Lincoln Tom Osborne decided he will just go out on his own and recruit for the Huskers like he used to except he will choose the coach later probobly from the duo of former quarterback Turner Gill or LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini.
Ed Orgeron was fired from Ole Miss after receiving a vote of confidence form the school president in the middle of the season. Orgerson did go 10-25 as the coach in three years and will probobly head back to being someone's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, something he excels at.
Speaking of Ole Miss, Houston Nutt resigned from Arkansas on Monday and was the new Ole Miss coach by Tuesday. After all of the off-season turmoil (Mitch Mustain and the Springdale players transfer, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left, and his infamous text messaging before games) this was another forgone conclusion. Nutt did it the right in that he can say he was never fired, get a nice payment to leave, and then pick up a job in the same conference and if he's lucky, can stick it to his old team time and time again.
Joe Novak at Northern Illinois was also axed, but I only mentioned this because some hot coordinator could parlay this job into a big job opening.
Ted Roof at Duke. Not suprised either. 6-45 isn't good when the hoops team continually goes 45-6 in the same span of time. It is a lot easier to recruit three gusy that can get into your school and 20 each season. Word on the street is Steve Spurrier may want to go back to the school he made successful and hasn't been since he left.
Chan Gailey is gone and so are many of the players he recruited this year. He does have Calvin Johnson to show for his time there, but he also has Reggie Ball. Gailey will surface as someone's coordinator next year either in the show or in college.
Jeff Bower was let go after 17 seasons at Southern Miss. Good luck finding their next coach. Bower ahd 15 winning seasons there and no one is goin to be there long enough to make waves. After any success whoever they hire will jump to another job.
Sonny Lubick left Colorado State after years of mediocrity and Washington State got rid of Bill Doba who took over for Mike Price. Two bad jobs that will be lucky if they find somone to pull them out of the garbage.
I'm sure more changes will occur after next weeks championship games and into bowl season, we'll just have to wait and see what they are.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
R.I.P.
I know I"m late but its always a sad day when someone dies too young. Redskins Pro Bowl Safety Sean Taylor died early this morning after being shot in his Miami home Sunday night. He was 24.
The first time I saw Sean Taylor was during the Florida State Football Championships in 2000. My Venice team was playing Friday night and his Gulliver Prep team played Saturday afternoon. He was bigger than everyone else on the field it seemed like and he ran the ball, caught all five passes his team completed and played defense. He was every where for that team and led them to the 2A championship. My brother Nejay said to watch where this guy ends up, he's that much better than everyone out there.
My next memory of Taylor is as a sophomore safety at UM. After losing three first round picks from their defensive backfield, Taylor and his new backfield mates kept the tradition going of lockdown corners and playmaking safeties. During the 2002 FSU-UM game Taylor made a hit on Nole receiver P.K. Sam that Sam never recovered from that season. As Sam went over the middle he caught a pass and was immediately helicoptered by Taylor. I enjoy Stanford Samuels' hit on Roscoe Parrish the next year but Taylor's on Sam was just as ferocious. Taylor also for some reason was Chris Rix's favorite receiver during those games. The most impressive thing about Taylor was that in that 2002 season, he was bigger than all three of UM's starting linebackers, two of which were first round picks.
Taylor was the fifth overall pick to the Redskins after an All-American career at Miami. He was the new breed of safety. There weren't and still aren't safeties out there like him. He was big (6'3 230 pounds), ran and covered like a corner, and was one of the most violent hitters on the field. The Redskins defense is a different team with him on the field. Watch the Dallas game without him playing and the Cowboy recievers are running wild. With Taylor in there teams didn't venture in the middle for catches for fear of losing players.
My thoughts are with his family and his team.
The first time I saw Sean Taylor was during the Florida State Football Championships in 2000. My Venice team was playing Friday night and his Gulliver Prep team played Saturday afternoon. He was bigger than everyone else on the field it seemed like and he ran the ball, caught all five passes his team completed and played defense. He was every where for that team and led them to the 2A championship. My brother Nejay said to watch where this guy ends up, he's that much better than everyone out there.
My next memory of Taylor is as a sophomore safety at UM. After losing three first round picks from their defensive backfield, Taylor and his new backfield mates kept the tradition going of lockdown corners and playmaking safeties. During the 2002 FSU-UM game Taylor made a hit on Nole receiver P.K. Sam that Sam never recovered from that season. As Sam went over the middle he caught a pass and was immediately helicoptered by Taylor. I enjoy Stanford Samuels' hit on Roscoe Parrish the next year but Taylor's on Sam was just as ferocious. Taylor also for some reason was Chris Rix's favorite receiver during those games. The most impressive thing about Taylor was that in that 2002 season, he was bigger than all three of UM's starting linebackers, two of which were first round picks.
Taylor was the fifth overall pick to the Redskins after an All-American career at Miami. He was the new breed of safety. There weren't and still aren't safeties out there like him. He was big (6'3 230 pounds), ran and covered like a corner, and was one of the most violent hitters on the field. The Redskins defense is a different team with him on the field. Watch the Dallas game without him playing and the Cowboy recievers are running wild. With Taylor in there teams didn't venture in the middle for catches for fear of losing players.
My thoughts are with his family and his team.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo and more college hoops
After last night's football game (yes the one my team blew), I stayed up late to watch USC play Southern Illinois and get my first look at Trojan super frosh O.J. Mayo. Thanks to Tim Floyd I had to stay up an extra half hour because he didn't start Mayo, or sophomore Taj Gipson for that matter. When Mayo finally did come in I liked the way he played but he didn't do anything that made me get up out of my seat and go crazy (which I tend to do a lot during a good game). I am forgoing sleep to catch west coast games like I always do but I need to send a memo to the coaches out there to play good games so its worth my while, and anyone else on this coast that stays up.
Speaking of hoops, at least FSU's mens hoops team decided to show up and beat the Gators 65-51. I wasn't sure what Coach Ham's guys had in the bag after losing to Cleveland State, but the senior laden backcourt needs it to continue.
Another thing I like about this season is that the other four of the Big Bowl Six Conferences (Big Bowl Six - ACC, SEC, Big 12, Pac-10, Big East and the Big 11) are pitting their teams against each other in showcases like the Big 11/ACC Challenge. The Big 12 and Pac-10 are starting a Hardwood Series, and the SEC and Big East are having a Showdown. Everybody benefits from these showcases. We the fans get to benefit because instead of the normal early season blowouts we get innter conference matchups and the teams get to get good wins on their tournament resumes. Enjoy this week as the ACC and Big 11 kick it off. Wake Forest got the ACC off to a good start with a win at Iowa. Tomorrow features these matchups - GT at Indiana, Wisconsin at Duke, Purdue at Clemson, Northwestern at UVA and my Noles get to host Minnesota. Enjoy the next three weeks of good matchups as college hoops heats up and that other season that I refuse to talk about comes to a close.
Speaking of hoops, at least FSU's mens hoops team decided to show up and beat the Gators 65-51. I wasn't sure what Coach Ham's guys had in the bag after losing to Cleveland State, but the senior laden backcourt needs it to continue.
Another thing I like about this season is that the other four of the Big Bowl Six Conferences (Big Bowl Six - ACC, SEC, Big 12, Pac-10, Big East and the Big 11) are pitting their teams against each other in showcases like the Big 11/ACC Challenge. The Big 12 and Pac-10 are starting a Hardwood Series, and the SEC and Big East are having a Showdown. Everybody benefits from these showcases. We the fans get to benefit because instead of the normal early season blowouts we get innter conference matchups and the teams get to get good wins on their tournament resumes. Enjoy this week as the ACC and Big 11 kick it off. Wake Forest got the ACC off to a good start with a win at Iowa. Tomorrow features these matchups - GT at Indiana, Wisconsin at Duke, Purdue at Clemson, Northwestern at UVA and my Noles get to host Minnesota. Enjoy the next three weeks of good matchups as college hoops heats up and that other season that I refuse to talk about comes to a close.
Can I get a Football Win this Weekend
All I asked for last week was to get a win out of one my team's in big games this weekend and neither one of them delivered. FSU got crushed and it was not close ant any point in the game. I wanted the linebackers that did all of the talking in the time leading up to the game to make plays and they made none. Everytime the Gators needed a play they made it and FSU's offense drove down the field but kept having to settle for Gary Cismesia field goals. Cismesia provided the only bright spot hittinga 60 yard field goal.
The Eagles had many chances to win Sunday Night's game until A.J. Feeley made a terrible decision. Philly had been killing the Pats with in cuts all night but Feeley went deep at the wrong time. Late in the game with the Eagles drving Feeley went up top on Asante Samuel who picked off the pass to seal the victory. The Pats looked vulnerable and the Eagles have written the blueprint on how to beat the Pats.
After these two games I have finally moved on from football season and conceded that I am doomed to another long summer of hope that one of them will get it together.
The Eagles had many chances to win Sunday Night's game until A.J. Feeley made a terrible decision. Philly had been killing the Pats with in cuts all night but Feeley went deep at the wrong time. Late in the game with the Eagles drving Feeley went up top on Asante Samuel who picked off the pass to seal the victory. The Pats looked vulnerable and the Eagles have written the blueprint on how to beat the Pats.
After these two games I have finally moved on from football season and conceded that I am doomed to another long summer of hope that one of them will get it together.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
College Hoops
I have been raving about how happy I am that the NBA has returned, but realized last night that the games are hardly ever on. Furthermore, college hoops is where its at. Most of the time we are subjected to early season blowout games but last night was enjoyable.
Duke played Illinois in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational while number 1 UCLA played number 11 Michigan State. I watched the entire Duke game but only made it to half time of the UCLA-MSU game. Some of the things I did see were that Kevin Love is for real. I read all of the magazines and hear all of the hype surrounding him but I am one that has to see it with my own eyes. Love has a complete game. I haven't seen Michael Beasley of Kansas St. yet but Love so far is the best big man in the freshman class. In last night's game, Love at one point had 9 of his team's 13 points on an array of moves: he hit a short face up jumper, a jump hook, some free throws, and the one that impressed me the most a face up, dribble drive to the bucket from outside the three-point line. I'm excited to watch more college hoops the rest of the season, but I'm not sure how good FSU's hoops team will be.
For anyone to say that television doesn't have a Duke bias I will use this morning's highlights between Mike & Mike segments. Between their talking segments they show highlights from games from the night before and with all the college games played last night, the only highlights shown were from number 10 Duke against unranked Illinois. Number 20 Oregon was upset last night, no highlights. The UCLA-MSU game I mentioned featured two highly ranked teams but there were no highlights from that game either. I don't hate Duke like most people, I actually find them entertaining to watch, but ESPN is adding to the people that hate them.
Speaking of Duke, the team played better defense when freshman Nolan Smith was in the game and not Greg Paulus. Paulus is the veteran and knows the system but the game changed when Smith came in and upped the defensive pressure on Illinois point guards. Kyle Singler, I'm not sold yet. He's supposed to be in the Love, O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose class of freshmen but I don't see it.
Duke played Illinois in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational while number 1 UCLA played number 11 Michigan State. I watched the entire Duke game but only made it to half time of the UCLA-MSU game. Some of the things I did see were that Kevin Love is for real. I read all of the magazines and hear all of the hype surrounding him but I am one that has to see it with my own eyes. Love has a complete game. I haven't seen Michael Beasley of Kansas St. yet but Love so far is the best big man in the freshman class. In last night's game, Love at one point had 9 of his team's 13 points on an array of moves: he hit a short face up jumper, a jump hook, some free throws, and the one that impressed me the most a face up, dribble drive to the bucket from outside the three-point line. I'm excited to watch more college hoops the rest of the season, but I'm not sure how good FSU's hoops team will be.
For anyone to say that television doesn't have a Duke bias I will use this morning's highlights between Mike & Mike segments. Between their talking segments they show highlights from games from the night before and with all the college games played last night, the only highlights shown were from number 10 Duke against unranked Illinois. Number 20 Oregon was upset last night, no highlights. The UCLA-MSU game I mentioned featured two highly ranked teams but there were no highlights from that game either. I don't hate Duke like most people, I actually find them entertaining to watch, but ESPN is adding to the people that hate them.
Speaking of Duke, the team played better defense when freshman Nolan Smith was in the game and not Greg Paulus. Paulus is the veteran and knows the system but the game changed when Smith came in and upped the defensive pressure on Illinois point guards. Kyle Singler, I'm not sold yet. He's supposed to be in the Love, O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose class of freshmen but I don't see it.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Jimmy is MVP
I said it right after the season ended that Jimmy Rollins is the MVP and I'm happy my guy won. Yes I'm a homer but I still think he deserved the award over Matt Holliday. Yes Holliday's team beat Rollins's team in the playoffs but the MVP is a regular season award. Both players had stellar seasons (Rollins hit .294, 30 HR, 38 2B, 20 3B, 94 RBI and stole 41 bases while playing every single game and winning the Gold Glove at shortstop; Holliday hit .340, 36 HR, 50 2B, 6 3B, 137 RBI and stealing 11 bases, he also led the league in total bases). Both were great but I'm happy Jimmy got the nod.
I was wrong about Monday Night Football this week. I was sure that the Titans would just turn around and hand the ball off but with the big plays the Broncos kept getting, Tennessee couldn't do that. Brandon Stokely caught a 49 yard Td pass from Jay Cutler and Glenn Martinez had an 80 yard punt return. Denver was able to ite themselves for the first in the AFC West with San Diego at 5-5. That's a terrible division as they have no winning teams. Mike Shanahan continues to churn out running backs. Monday Night's edition was Andre Hall, the former South Florida running back scoring his first career touchdown on a 62 yard run.
The NFC West is in terrible too and has one winning team in the 6-4 Seahawks. I don't think that will last that long and the Cardinals at 5-5 still have a chance to overtake them.
All the Bucs fans are happy but the NFC South stinks. The Bucs picked a good time for everyone in the division to have misfortune. I don't want them to keep winning but I'm happy for Jeff Garcia after the way my team dumped him in Philly.
Speaking of Philly, it would make my year for them to knock of the Pats in New England on Sunday night. I believe it can happen if they can shorten the game and Jim Johnson's D gets to Brady. Easier said than done.
I wish the FSU LBs would just be quiet. I appreciate their confidence and willingness to want to stop Tebow but make it happen on the field. Let your play do the talking. I really want Geno Hayes and Dekoda Watson to back it up. If I had to choose one victory to get from the weekend I want the Noles to beat the Gators.
I was wrong about Monday Night Football this week. I was sure that the Titans would just turn around and hand the ball off but with the big plays the Broncos kept getting, Tennessee couldn't do that. Brandon Stokely caught a 49 yard Td pass from Jay Cutler and Glenn Martinez had an 80 yard punt return. Denver was able to ite themselves for the first in the AFC West with San Diego at 5-5. That's a terrible division as they have no winning teams. Mike Shanahan continues to churn out running backs. Monday Night's edition was Andre Hall, the former South Florida running back scoring his first career touchdown on a 62 yard run.
The NFC West is in terrible too and has one winning team in the 6-4 Seahawks. I don't think that will last that long and the Cardinals at 5-5 still have a chance to overtake them.
All the Bucs fans are happy but the NFC South stinks. The Bucs picked a good time for everyone in the division to have misfortune. I don't want them to keep winning but I'm happy for Jeff Garcia after the way my team dumped him in Philly.
Speaking of Philly, it would make my year for them to knock of the Pats in New England on Sunday night. I believe it can happen if they can shorten the game and Jim Johnson's D gets to Brady. Easier said than done.
I wish the FSU LBs would just be quiet. I appreciate their confidence and willingness to want to stop Tebow but make it happen on the field. Let your play do the talking. I really want Geno Hayes and Dekoda Watson to back it up. If I had to choose one victory to get from the weekend I want the Noles to beat the Gators.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Field Goals Aren't Reviewable
I know William McConnell is very happy about the result of the Browns-Ravens game from Sunday. After Phil Dawson's kick was originally called no good, replay showed that the ball actually hit the support through the uprights and bounced back. While the referee didn't actually go under the hood to review it, the play was still reviewed and the reversed. The Baltimore players were changing and already in the locker room when they were told that they would have to play overtime. Right then I know the Ravens had no chance. When a player takes himself out of the game mode its really hard to turn it back on. For example, in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl the Hurricanes players had already dumped water on their coach and were celebrating their win when the flag came out. Now they have to get ready to play again against a team that has new life. I guess you got lucky again William.
What's wrong with the Colts? I know they're banged up but 13 points against the Chiefs at home? The second straight game Peyton doesn't have a TD pass. I agree a W is a W but two weeks ago the Colts should have beaten New England and now the Pats have distanced themselves even further.
I think Bobby Petrino has given up on the Falcons this season and is waiting to land Brian Brohm. There is no reason for him to be playing Byron Leftwich instead of Joey Harrington. They both are bad but Harrington has been better. Right now the Falcons are just a bad football team and it may be a while before they can fix it.
I still can't believe the Packers are 9-1. I have been impressed with their defense but not with much else. Favre is playing better than in previous years but I don't think they will make much noise in the playoffs.
The Steelers and Jags are both 7-3 now but I still don't think they're in a class with the Pats. After watching the Steelers lose to the Jets they don't have what it takes to beat the Pats or Colts for that matter. I really liked Big Ben after last week but yesterday he didn't make the plays he made the week before and the Jets D shut Willie Parker down.
By the way, did you see Pittsburgh giving Leon Washington the Devin Hester treatment? Maybe Josh Cribbs from the Browns needs to added to the list. The Ravens kicked to him twice late in the game and he killed them.
As for the Jags, their D held LT to 62 yards without Marcus Stroud. They will only play better when he gets back and with the way they run the football they could beat anyone.
I'm never one to say a pro athlete is under paid but Brian Westbrook has a point. He is the Eagles best player and only offensive playmaker. He plays hurt and he puts up yards and points. His latest contract is for $25 million but he has probobly out performed the deal compared to what other starting running backs are making.
In the Monday nighter I see the Titans beating the Broncos. For two reasons, Tennessee runs the ball well and Denver can't stop the run. The second reason is the Titans D is nasty and will give Jay Cutler fits. I think the score will be 23-10.
What's wrong with the Colts? I know they're banged up but 13 points against the Chiefs at home? The second straight game Peyton doesn't have a TD pass. I agree a W is a W but two weeks ago the Colts should have beaten New England and now the Pats have distanced themselves even further.
I think Bobby Petrino has given up on the Falcons this season and is waiting to land Brian Brohm. There is no reason for him to be playing Byron Leftwich instead of Joey Harrington. They both are bad but Harrington has been better. Right now the Falcons are just a bad football team and it may be a while before they can fix it.
I still can't believe the Packers are 9-1. I have been impressed with their defense but not with much else. Favre is playing better than in previous years but I don't think they will make much noise in the playoffs.
The Steelers and Jags are both 7-3 now but I still don't think they're in a class with the Pats. After watching the Steelers lose to the Jets they don't have what it takes to beat the Pats or Colts for that matter. I really liked Big Ben after last week but yesterday he didn't make the plays he made the week before and the Jets D shut Willie Parker down.
By the way, did you see Pittsburgh giving Leon Washington the Devin Hester treatment? Maybe Josh Cribbs from the Browns needs to added to the list. The Ravens kicked to him twice late in the game and he killed them.
As for the Jags, their D held LT to 62 yards without Marcus Stroud. They will only play better when he gets back and with the way they run the football they could beat anyone.
I'm never one to say a pro athlete is under paid but Brian Westbrook has a point. He is the Eagles best player and only offensive playmaker. He plays hurt and he puts up yards and points. His latest contract is for $25 million but he has probobly out performed the deal compared to what other starting running backs are making.
In the Monday nighter I see the Titans beating the Broncos. For two reasons, Tennessee runs the ball well and Denver can't stop the run. The second reason is the Titans D is nasty and will give Jay Cutler fits. I think the score will be 23-10.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Football this weekend
Another one of my friends decided to get married so my football watching on Saturday was limited but I managed to watch FSU play and the Michigan-Ohio State games while treating the soon to be married man to a last second lunch at Hooters. Congratulations Gavin and Katie.
So after I point out that Big 12 should be smiling right now Oklahoma goes out and loses to Texas Tech. The Sooners will still most likely play in the conference championship game but if they beat the North representative then the Big 12 will not have a rep in the title game. I haven't gotten to watch Red Raider freshman Michael Crabtree but after seeing last night's highlights he is the real deal. I thought his numbers were a product of the system but he is outstanding.
Michigan lost to the Buckeyes again and Lloyd Carr is apparantly going to retire. The Les Miles talk can start now. I'm not as sold as most that he is automatically leaving LSU but I do understand why people say he is. He played there, he's a Schembechler guy, he coached there but he would be leaving a lot of talent at LSU. Plus, if he wins the National Title, does he just up and leave? He would have lots of great recruits coming in and a talented team coming back. Maybe the pull of coaching at his alma mater would be too much for him to say no to. I only want Michigan fans to understand that it's not a slam dunk that Les Miles will be their next coach.
The more I watch Preston Parker the more I like him. My buddy Josh who was at the game said it perfectly, Parker is a poor man's Percy Harvin. With Antone Smith, Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball all hurt Jimbo Fisher decided to turn to Parker as the main running back. Yes he put the ball on the ground a few too many times but he still ran for more than 100 yards and scored a TD. I'm hoping next week's matchup against UF goes in my favor. I'll be there and I don't want to have to deal with any UF people. The Noles already lost to Miami this year and I don't want to lose to both of our rivals in the same year.
I oly got to see parts of the BC-Clemson game but it was an instant classic. Matt Ryan continually leads the Eagles back and now they will be playing the winner of the Commonwealth Cup (UVA vs VT) for the conference championship in Jacksonville.
I'm happy the Eagles won today but #5 got hurt again. I'm getting nervous with all of the trade talk anyway but maybe the Eagles have the right idea.
I'm really happy the NBA season has started but not happy that the Celtics are still undefeated. Boston people don't deserve all of this winning. The Sixers have given me no hope for this season. They have Andre Iguodala and nothing else.
More to come tomorrow and I promise I will be better about posting.
So after I point out that Big 12 should be smiling right now Oklahoma goes out and loses to Texas Tech. The Sooners will still most likely play in the conference championship game but if they beat the North representative then the Big 12 will not have a rep in the title game. I haven't gotten to watch Red Raider freshman Michael Crabtree but after seeing last night's highlights he is the real deal. I thought his numbers were a product of the system but he is outstanding.
Michigan lost to the Buckeyes again and Lloyd Carr is apparantly going to retire. The Les Miles talk can start now. I'm not as sold as most that he is automatically leaving LSU but I do understand why people say he is. He played there, he's a Schembechler guy, he coached there but he would be leaving a lot of talent at LSU. Plus, if he wins the National Title, does he just up and leave? He would have lots of great recruits coming in and a talented team coming back. Maybe the pull of coaching at his alma mater would be too much for him to say no to. I only want Michigan fans to understand that it's not a slam dunk that Les Miles will be their next coach.
The more I watch Preston Parker the more I like him. My buddy Josh who was at the game said it perfectly, Parker is a poor man's Percy Harvin. With Antone Smith, Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball all hurt Jimbo Fisher decided to turn to Parker as the main running back. Yes he put the ball on the ground a few too many times but he still ran for more than 100 yards and scored a TD. I'm hoping next week's matchup against UF goes in my favor. I'll be there and I don't want to have to deal with any UF people. The Noles already lost to Miami this year and I don't want to lose to both of our rivals in the same year.
I oly got to see parts of the BC-Clemson game but it was an instant classic. Matt Ryan continually leads the Eagles back and now they will be playing the winner of the Commonwealth Cup (UVA vs VT) for the conference championship in Jacksonville.
I'm happy the Eagles won today but #5 got hurt again. I'm getting nervous with all of the trade talk anyway but maybe the Eagles have the right idea.
I'm really happy the NBA season has started but not happy that the Celtics are still undefeated. Boston people don't deserve all of this winning. The Sixers have given me no hope for this season. They have Andre Iguodala and nothing else.
More to come tomorrow and I promise I will be better about posting.
Friday, November 16, 2007
I'm Back After a Long Delay
So I'm sorry for not posting as much as I should but I think that I have been able to correct my computer problems. I know I missed a lot in the last few weeks (Adrian Peterson's record game, the Antonio Cromartie coming out party, Tim Tebow's 7 TD game, College Gameday at some Division III school, and a lot of hockey check that I always miss hockey) I can only pick up from where yesterday left off.
Three big stories in one day. #2 Oregon loses QB Dennis Dixon and then a shot at the National Title last night losing to Arizona 34-24; A-Rod re-signs with the Yanks for $275 million; and the granddaddy of them all the Feds finally brought charges against Barry Bonds.
Barry's career is over. He had a lot of baggage to deal with anyway and now that he's been charged with perjury and obstruction of justice, his talent can't overcome the headaches he causes. I don't know if I said this before but what bothers me about Bonds is not the he was a jerk to everyone, not that he blew to the size of the Incredible Hulk and broke the home run record, it's that he was so good before all of the steroid talk. He was the definition of a five-tool player. His first MVP season in 1990 he hit .301, 33 home runs, 114 RBI and stole 52 bags while winning his first of eight Gold Gloves. His second MVP in 1992 he hit .311, 34 HR,103 RBI, and stole 34 bases. 1996 he had a 40/40 season, 42 HR/40 SB; and in 1998 (I call this the jealousy season where he was mad at Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa for getting all of the pub) he hit .303 with 37 HRs and drove in 122 runs. In 2001, he hit 73 home runs way above his career high of 49. He's the only player to hit 500 homeruns and steal 500 bases and all of this was before the steriod talk started. So I mad one of the best players in history tainted his already amazing numbers by becoming greedy and jealous. My question now is what changed from what the Feds already had to yesterday? I don't think Greg Anderson sang but he may have gotten sick of sitting in jail.
I'm not even going to devote much time to A-Rod. 10 years/275 million. Less than what Scott Boras his agent wanted to get him but more than he was making. The news is that the Yankees offered Mike Lowell a four year deal to play first base but I don't think he'll leave Boston.
Oregon marked the fifth time this season that the #2 team lost joining USF, BC, Cal and USC. I didn't start watching the game until the third quarter (I was at a wedding rehearsal dinner, that's a decent excuse) and checked my phone on the way back home from Sarasota. My man Josh sent me a message that Dixon was hurt and that Oregon had no hope. Dixon scored on a 39 yard run in the first quarter but later hurt the same knee he sprained against Arizona State. Dixon fell to the turf without being touched and the Ducks shot at a national title fell with him. I felt bad watching Brady Leaf (yes Ryan's little brother) try to bring the Ducks back but only hearing that he was just Ryan's brother and isn't that good. Now Brady didn't play that well but give the guy a shot. Just cause his brother is crazy doesn't mean he is. The Big 12 celebrated huge last night as now they're in the driver's seat to have one of their teams in the title game.
Oklahoma has Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and then the Big 12 Championship Game left; Kansas plays Iowa St. this Saturday and Missouri plays Kansas St. Next Saturday Missouri and Kansas play each other for a shot at the Sooners in the title game. The winner of the Big 12 championship will then probobly play for the National Title. If some how all of the Big 12 beats up on each other and someone loses to a team they aren't supposed to, Ohio State can beat Michigan this weekend and sneak in. Or Arizona State can win out and get a shot. I'm still not a fan of the BCS, but it has made every Saturday an entertaining one.
The WAC commissioner is licking his chops. Its highly unlikely, but if high ranked teams keep falling Hawaii and Boise St. may get into the BCS. Right now Hawaii is ranked 13th and BSU 17th. They have a matchup next week and the winner will probobly crash the BCS as long as they don't lose the game after that one. Hawaii will be playing Nevada at 11 tonight, so you can stay up late to watch ro just catch the end after you get home from a night out. Colt Brennan makes all of the games entertaining.
Lastly, my high school alma mater Venice has a home playoff game tonight against Cape Coral so let's hope Coach Peacock and the boys can get the W.
Three big stories in one day. #2 Oregon loses QB Dennis Dixon and then a shot at the National Title last night losing to Arizona 34-24; A-Rod re-signs with the Yanks for $275 million; and the granddaddy of them all the Feds finally brought charges against Barry Bonds.
Barry's career is over. He had a lot of baggage to deal with anyway and now that he's been charged with perjury and obstruction of justice, his talent can't overcome the headaches he causes. I don't know if I said this before but what bothers me about Bonds is not the he was a jerk to everyone, not that he blew to the size of the Incredible Hulk and broke the home run record, it's that he was so good before all of the steroid talk. He was the definition of a five-tool player. His first MVP season in 1990 he hit .301, 33 home runs, 114 RBI and stole 52 bags while winning his first of eight Gold Gloves. His second MVP in 1992 he hit .311, 34 HR,103 RBI, and stole 34 bases. 1996 he had a 40/40 season, 42 HR/40 SB; and in 1998 (I call this the jealousy season where he was mad at Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa for getting all of the pub) he hit .303 with 37 HRs and drove in 122 runs. In 2001, he hit 73 home runs way above his career high of 49. He's the only player to hit 500 homeruns and steal 500 bases and all of this was before the steriod talk started. So I mad one of the best players in history tainted his already amazing numbers by becoming greedy and jealous. My question now is what changed from what the Feds already had to yesterday? I don't think Greg Anderson sang but he may have gotten sick of sitting in jail.
I'm not even going to devote much time to A-Rod. 10 years/275 million. Less than what Scott Boras his agent wanted to get him but more than he was making. The news is that the Yankees offered Mike Lowell a four year deal to play first base but I don't think he'll leave Boston.
Oregon marked the fifth time this season that the #2 team lost joining USF, BC, Cal and USC. I didn't start watching the game until the third quarter (I was at a wedding rehearsal dinner, that's a decent excuse) and checked my phone on the way back home from Sarasota. My man Josh sent me a message that Dixon was hurt and that Oregon had no hope. Dixon scored on a 39 yard run in the first quarter but later hurt the same knee he sprained against Arizona State. Dixon fell to the turf without being touched and the Ducks shot at a national title fell with him. I felt bad watching Brady Leaf (yes Ryan's little brother) try to bring the Ducks back but only hearing that he was just Ryan's brother and isn't that good. Now Brady didn't play that well but give the guy a shot. Just cause his brother is crazy doesn't mean he is. The Big 12 celebrated huge last night as now they're in the driver's seat to have one of their teams in the title game.
Oklahoma has Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and then the Big 12 Championship Game left; Kansas plays Iowa St. this Saturday and Missouri plays Kansas St. Next Saturday Missouri and Kansas play each other for a shot at the Sooners in the title game. The winner of the Big 12 championship will then probobly play for the National Title. If some how all of the Big 12 beats up on each other and someone loses to a team they aren't supposed to, Ohio State can beat Michigan this weekend and sneak in. Or Arizona State can win out and get a shot. I'm still not a fan of the BCS, but it has made every Saturday an entertaining one.
The WAC commissioner is licking his chops. Its highly unlikely, but if high ranked teams keep falling Hawaii and Boise St. may get into the BCS. Right now Hawaii is ranked 13th and BSU 17th. They have a matchup next week and the winner will probobly crash the BCS as long as they don't lose the game after that one. Hawaii will be playing Nevada at 11 tonight, so you can stay up late to watch ro just catch the end after you get home from a night out. Colt Brennan makes all of the games entertaining.
Lastly, my high school alma mater Venice has a home playoff game tonight against Cape Coral so let's hope Coach Peacock and the boys can get the W.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
My computer
Sorry for the length between posts but I will have to take a hiatus until I can get my computer fixed. I will let you know when I'm back up and running
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Weekend in Football
Where do I begin? I need to get better about doing this as the games are happening.
First of all I didn't get to watch as much ball Saturday as I would have liked. The wedding tour made a stop in Venice for my boy Brad to get married. I did manage to watch the FSU game.
I'm elated that FSU decided to show up and ball in Boston on Saturday night. Many critics thought the game was a speed bump in BC's run but the Noles proved otherwise. The offense finally showed consistency and Drew Weatherford made me eat crow by having a big game and coming up with the plays when they needed them. Even better was seeing my favorite Nole Geno Hayes seal the game with the pick 6.
There is a lot of space on the USF bandwagon these days. After peaking at number 2 the Bulls have crashed back down to Earth and may be relegated to a second tier bowl game again. It seemed that everytime I looked up the Bulls were turning the ball over. I have been skeptical of Matt Grothe for a long time and while I like him a lot he has a lot of growing up to do. He can't keep making the same mistakes. What would really help him out is if they Bulls got a running game. Between Mike Ford, Jamar Taylor and Ben Williams one of those guys have to start carrying the load.
Dennis Dixon is the truth. All the talk of him not being ready becuase he played baseball this summer is taking a backseat to the stellar perfromances he puts on every Saturday. With the help of Jonathan Stewart the Ducks offense may have a shot to get into the National Championship if they can get a little help from the teams above them.
The Gators looked ok and whoever's decision it was to move Mike Pouncey to defense made a good one. He brings nice energy to the defense. And Percy Harvin is amazing. I'm talking to my dad while he was at the game and all of a sudden the conversation stops when Harvin got the ball. Everytime he has the ball I can't look away because he could do something special. It pains me that he is only a sophomore and the Noles have to deal with him this year and next year.
Darren McFadden just put himself back in the Heisman race. His 300 yard game on Saturday was absurd and to think that sidekick Felix Jones also ran for 100 yards also. Both backs are over 1000 yards again this season. With Arkansas not being that good this season I thought McFadden wouldn't have a chance to win the trophy but the definition of the award is the most outsanding player and D-Mac has been that.
As I said before I didn't get to watch a lot but I did get to see many of the NFL games and I'll have more on that later.
First of all I didn't get to watch as much ball Saturday as I would have liked. The wedding tour made a stop in Venice for my boy Brad to get married. I did manage to watch the FSU game.
I'm elated that FSU decided to show up and ball in Boston on Saturday night. Many critics thought the game was a speed bump in BC's run but the Noles proved otherwise. The offense finally showed consistency and Drew Weatherford made me eat crow by having a big game and coming up with the plays when they needed them. Even better was seeing my favorite Nole Geno Hayes seal the game with the pick 6.
There is a lot of space on the USF bandwagon these days. After peaking at number 2 the Bulls have crashed back down to Earth and may be relegated to a second tier bowl game again. It seemed that everytime I looked up the Bulls were turning the ball over. I have been skeptical of Matt Grothe for a long time and while I like him a lot he has a lot of growing up to do. He can't keep making the same mistakes. What would really help him out is if they Bulls got a running game. Between Mike Ford, Jamar Taylor and Ben Williams one of those guys have to start carrying the load.
Dennis Dixon is the truth. All the talk of him not being ready becuase he played baseball this summer is taking a backseat to the stellar perfromances he puts on every Saturday. With the help of Jonathan Stewart the Ducks offense may have a shot to get into the National Championship if they can get a little help from the teams above them.
The Gators looked ok and whoever's decision it was to move Mike Pouncey to defense made a good one. He brings nice energy to the defense. And Percy Harvin is amazing. I'm talking to my dad while he was at the game and all of a sudden the conversation stops when Harvin got the ball. Everytime he has the ball I can't look away because he could do something special. It pains me that he is only a sophomore and the Noles have to deal with him this year and next year.
Darren McFadden just put himself back in the Heisman race. His 300 yard game on Saturday was absurd and to think that sidekick Felix Jones also ran for 100 yards also. Both backs are over 1000 yards again this season. With Arkansas not being that good this season I thought McFadden wouldn't have a chance to win the trophy but the definition of the award is the most outsanding player and D-Mac has been that.
As I said before I didn't get to watch a lot but I did get to see many of the NFL games and I'll have more on that later.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Hingis and Coke, Who's Jerseys are They Wearing, the Yankees
Someone please explain Martina Hingis to me. She dominates tennis for a while when no one could beat the Williams sisters, reitres to kick it, comes back and plays decent but not great, then retires again so she doesn't have to face a two year suspension for coke? Her excuse for saying why that could never happen is that, "no one could play a game while under the influence of that stuff." I guess in Europe they have never seen Lawrence Taylor play.
Last nights GT v VT game was that entertaining. VT rolled them up pretty easily behind Sean Glennon. I noticed this later that Glennon, backup qb Tyrod Taylor, rover Kam Chancellor and cornerback Brandon Flowers were wearing old GT jerseys. Apparently these players jerseys got lost somehow and GT provided them with old ones. The players blackend out the Yellow Jackets on the front of the jersey and wrote their names on the back with a Sharpie. What I didn't notice was that they had to blacken the Russell Athletic Symbol and drew their own Nike swoosh. Corporate sponsoring at its finest when the players remember to make sure they have a Nike swoosh.
As much as I try to avoid it the Yankees are still in the news. Joe Girardi has chosen the number 27 for what he says, "...is a symbol the goal of the team for the team this season." Championship number 27 for those not scoring at home. Good luck Joe, your team is aging and you'll probobly be without baseball's best player from April to October 1.
Grady Little will be seeing Joe Torre is his sleep. Not only did Torre beat the Red Sawx in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS that cost Little his job. Now the Dodgers decided to court Torre and name him managers without even getting rid of Little first. I'm not sure if Torre is the great manager everyone makes him out to be. Before he came to New York, Torre was 894-1003 as a manager in the National League. I don't know if he can still do it in L.A. I think it will tarnish his image as a great manager but what it will really do is let everyone know he wasn't that good in the first place.
Tonight I'm at St. Pete High again covering Seminole at St. Pete High. STP hadn't won a game until I started covering them and now they are 2-0 since I've been there. For Josh's sake, maybe they can go 3-0
Last nights GT v VT game was that entertaining. VT rolled them up pretty easily behind Sean Glennon. I noticed this later that Glennon, backup qb Tyrod Taylor, rover Kam Chancellor and cornerback Brandon Flowers were wearing old GT jerseys. Apparently these players jerseys got lost somehow and GT provided them with old ones. The players blackend out the Yellow Jackets on the front of the jersey and wrote their names on the back with a Sharpie. What I didn't notice was that they had to blacken the Russell Athletic Symbol and drew their own Nike swoosh. Corporate sponsoring at its finest when the players remember to make sure they have a Nike swoosh.
As much as I try to avoid it the Yankees are still in the news. Joe Girardi has chosen the number 27 for what he says, "...is a symbol the goal of the team for the team this season." Championship number 27 for those not scoring at home. Good luck Joe, your team is aging and you'll probobly be without baseball's best player from April to October 1.
Grady Little will be seeing Joe Torre is his sleep. Not only did Torre beat the Red Sawx in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS that cost Little his job. Now the Dodgers decided to court Torre and name him managers without even getting rid of Little first. I'm not sure if Torre is the great manager everyone makes him out to be. Before he came to New York, Torre was 894-1003 as a manager in the National League. I don't know if he can still do it in L.A. I think it will tarnish his image as a great manager but what it will really do is let everyone know he wasn't that good in the first place.
Tonight I'm at St. Pete High again covering Seminole at St. Pete High. STP hadn't won a game until I started covering them and now they are 2-0 since I've been there. For Josh's sake, maybe they can go 3-0
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Millsaps v Trinity (TX)
By now we have all seen it. Seven players, 15 laterals. Trinty (TX) defeated Millsaps 28-24. My good buddy Tom Rinaldi, Millsaps '06, has always complained that he had to explain where his school was and how big it is. Well Tom, you no longer have to. Now when you proudly wear your Millsaps College shirt everyone will say, "That's the team that lost on the last play of the game. Man, that's the best play I've ever seen."
X. Lee suspended two games
Well the FSU quarterbacks are at it again. Redshirt Junior quarterback Xavier Lee was suspended for two games for "violating academic policy." For some reason these quarterbacks can't get it right. I am always one to go with the hot hand but neither Lee nor Drew Weatherford has the hot hand right now. With the season fading, it may be time for Coach Fisher to scarp these two reclamation projects and go with redshirt freshmen D'Vontrey Richardson or Christian Ponder. My brother Nejay, who was a graduate assistant for FSU for a few years, always said, "The fans aren't at practice. They don't see what's going on." I try to take this to heart everytime a coach makes a decision that drives me crazy I try to go on this but I feel I've seen enough of these two quarterbacks. I guess the E.J. Manuel days can't come soon enough and I hope FSU can shock people (can't believe they're shocking people in football these days) and beat BC Saturday night.
Just watching a TNT interview with the Celtics' Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and KG. I don't think they will beat anyone out of the West but Boston is instantly a contender in the East. It will be entertaining to watch them play this season. TNT also showed an interview with KG from 2005. The interview almost had to be stopped because Coach Joh Thompson asked what drives KG still. The thought of losing brought him to tears and he couldn't answer the question. It was refreshing to see an athlete who's only passion in this world of sports is to win. We need more athletes like this and I would love to have him on the Sixers.
The Sixers didn't make any moves this summer and took Thaddeus Young instead of my fellow FSU alum Al Thornton in the first round. This basketball season is lost for me but I will never give up on the Sixers. No A.I., no Al, I still got Andre Iguodola and not much else. Cheers to the beginning of hoops season. I'm counting down, 10 minutes left.
Just watching a TNT interview with the Celtics' Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and KG. I don't think they will beat anyone out of the West but Boston is instantly a contender in the East. It will be entertaining to watch them play this season. TNT also showed an interview with KG from 2005. The interview almost had to be stopped because Coach Joh Thompson asked what drives KG still. The thought of losing brought him to tears and he couldn't answer the question. It was refreshing to see an athlete who's only passion in this world of sports is to win. We need more athletes like this and I would love to have him on the Sixers.
The Sixers didn't make any moves this summer and took Thaddeus Young instead of my fellow FSU alum Al Thornton in the first round. This basketball season is lost for me but I will never give up on the Sixers. No A.I., no Al, I still got Andre Iguodola and not much else. Cheers to the beginning of hoops season. I'm counting down, 10 minutes left.
Opening Night/NBA
I understand its been a while since the last post so I'll try to make it short and sweet and get everything in.
The Pats and Colts held up their ends of the bargain and now we'll have this year's Game of the Century. Boston people don't deserve another championship but I want the Pats to win. But only if I could guarantee they'll win every game and lost in the playoffs.
I admit I was wrong about Cal beating ASU on Saturday and we get another great matchup in the pac-10, Oregon against ASU to decide the conference championship. I don't know how he keeps doing it but Dennis Erickson just keeps winning wherever he goes. If you haven't read this check out what Ducks' coach Nick Belotti's wife and Nanny had to say to a writer that chastised his son for getting two DUIs...http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/25670
So forgive me I didn't get to watch a lot of NFL games this Sunday but thanks to my man Willie B who has the NFL Ticket, I got to watch my team the Eagles defeat the Vikings. Donovan McNabb made a couple throws that made me remember the good old days. I hope the rumors of the Eagles trading him aren't true.
I also got to watch the Lions beat the Bears for the second time this season. As dominant as they were supposed to be the Bears just don't have the defense to support the offense anymore. The loss of Tank Johnson to keep people of Urlacher hurts more than they want to say. Adam Archuleta is overrated and always has been, and the loss of Mike Brown leaves this team without one of its best playmakers. I'm not sure though if I believe in the Lions yet. Are they really that much better or are they just getting lucky?
What's wrong with the Bucs? They had many chances to win the game against the Jags but Garcia missed a lot of throws. And he needs to start sliding. You can only motivate your team so much and if he keeps getting knocked around he'll get hurt and the Bucs will be screwed. 4-4 is better than I thought they would be at this point but they could really be 6-2. The last two weeks haven't been good for them. They are still in good shape if they can beat Arizona and come out of the bye week to beat Atlanta.
As for the World Series, the Rockies never had a chance. The layoff killed their momentum and the Red Sawx were the better team.
Now for the day I've been waiting for. I love hoops season and while most people have lost faith in the NBA I still love watching the best athletes on the planet do what they do. Tonight's slate only has three games but they are: Spurs/Blazers, Rockets/Lakers, and Jazz/Warriors. I will be camped in front of my tv tonight to watch them.
The Pats and Colts held up their ends of the bargain and now we'll have this year's Game of the Century. Boston people don't deserve another championship but I want the Pats to win. But only if I could guarantee they'll win every game and lost in the playoffs.
I admit I was wrong about Cal beating ASU on Saturday and we get another great matchup in the pac-10, Oregon against ASU to decide the conference championship. I don't know how he keeps doing it but Dennis Erickson just keeps winning wherever he goes. If you haven't read this check out what Ducks' coach Nick Belotti's wife and Nanny had to say to a writer that chastised his son for getting two DUIs...http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/25670
So forgive me I didn't get to watch a lot of NFL games this Sunday but thanks to my man Willie B who has the NFL Ticket, I got to watch my team the Eagles defeat the Vikings. Donovan McNabb made a couple throws that made me remember the good old days. I hope the rumors of the Eagles trading him aren't true.
I also got to watch the Lions beat the Bears for the second time this season. As dominant as they were supposed to be the Bears just don't have the defense to support the offense anymore. The loss of Tank Johnson to keep people of Urlacher hurts more than they want to say. Adam Archuleta is overrated and always has been, and the loss of Mike Brown leaves this team without one of its best playmakers. I'm not sure though if I believe in the Lions yet. Are they really that much better or are they just getting lucky?
What's wrong with the Bucs? They had many chances to win the game against the Jags but Garcia missed a lot of throws. And he needs to start sliding. You can only motivate your team so much and if he keeps getting knocked around he'll get hurt and the Bucs will be screwed. 4-4 is better than I thought they would be at this point but they could really be 6-2. The last two weeks haven't been good for them. They are still in good shape if they can beat Arizona and come out of the bye week to beat Atlanta.
As for the World Series, the Rockies never had a chance. The layoff killed their momentum and the Red Sawx were the better team.
Now for the day I've been waiting for. I love hoops season and while most people have lost faith in the NBA I still love watching the best athletes on the planet do what they do. Tonight's slate only has three games but they are: Spurs/Blazers, Rockets/Lakers, and Jazz/Warriors. I will be camped in front of my tv tonight to watch them.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
College Football Part III
What a game played by Tennessee and South Carolina. Carolina battles back from 21 down at half to take the lead 24-21 after Jonathan Succop made a 49 yard field goal. UT drives the ball back the other way and got a fortunate bounce when LeMarcus Coker fumbled but reserve offensive lineman JacquesMcClendon recoverd the fumble eight yards up field. Freshman Daniel Lincoln misses a 41 yard field goal but gets a reprieve when Tennessee gets a flase start penalty. He comes back and makes a 47 yarder to send the game into overtime. As Todd Blackledge said, "That's the best false start penalty of Tennessee's season." Lincoln comes back and makes a field goal in overtime that ends up being the game winner after Succop from SC misses his. Phil Fulmer has to be happy he saved his job by winning that one and with all of the losses in the SEC East UT can still win the division. It's only a formality as everyone knows LSU will thrash whoever they get in ATL for the championship game.
Glad to see FSU stop their two game skid with a 25-6 win over Duke but it doesn't make me feel better to only beat the worst team in the conference by 19 points. How does this sound for a season ending slate: at BC, at VT, at home against Maryland, and at UF. FSU will have to fight just to become bowl eligible. This is getting really old.
Ohio State didn't look bad but the Big 11 has something to show me still. Bill, you can come defend your team whenever you get ready.
I didn't get to see any of it but Kansas held on the beat Texas A&M. Maybe the Jayhawks are for real. This is the most fun that they have had before hoops season started in a long time.
Lastly, I'm trying to stay up for the last game, Arizona State against Cal but I'm don't think I will make it. Right now Cal is leading 20-14 and I think they will knock ASU from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Glad to see FSU stop their two game skid with a 25-6 win over Duke but it doesn't make me feel better to only beat the worst team in the conference by 19 points. How does this sound for a season ending slate: at BC, at VT, at home against Maryland, and at UF. FSU will have to fight just to become bowl eligible. This is getting really old.
Ohio State didn't look bad but the Big 11 has something to show me still. Bill, you can come defend your team whenever you get ready.
I didn't get to see any of it but Kansas held on the beat Texas A&M. Maybe the Jayhawks are for real. This is the most fun that they have had before hoops season started in a long time.
Lastly, I'm trying to stay up for the last game, Arizona State against Cal but I'm don't think I will make it. Right now Cal is leading 20-14 and I think they will knock ASU from the ranks of the unbeaten.
College Football Part II
Oops. Florida and USF both lost games that they should have won. We can add Kentucky to that list too. This season is full of suprises but I'm not sure that anything from today has really suprised us yet.
The biggest suprise comes from USC losing a second game but Oregon was easily the better team in that game. In a year where the Heisman is up for grabs Dennis Dixon made a lot of noise today. USF started hot but now they have come back to Earth and aren't doing anything we didn't expect them to do.
We never know what to expect from a rivalry game so UGA had as good a shot as anyone. They beat UF by 12 and I'm not sure the game was really that close.
I guess Miss St. counts as a suprise becuase their two confernce wins have both come on the road and N.C. State still has a shot against UVA. There still is a lot of football to play and we still have a lot to learn from today's games and we'll let them play out to see what happens.
The biggest suprise comes from USC losing a second game but Oregon was easily the better team in that game. In a year where the Heisman is up for grabs Dennis Dixon made a lot of noise today. USF started hot but now they have come back to Earth and aren't doing anything we didn't expect them to do.
We never know what to expect from a rivalry game so UGA had as good a shot as anyone. They beat UF by 12 and I'm not sure the game was really that close.
I guess Miss St. counts as a suprise becuase their two confernce wins have both come on the road and N.C. State still has a shot against UVA. There still is a lot of football to play and we still have a lot to learn from today's games and we'll let them play out to see what happens.
College Football Part I
It's already been a crazy day but the noon games haven't ended yet. Thanks to my boy Jim I'm getting to watch a lot of the games, two TV's and ESPN Gameplan have helped me out considerably.
Early Games:
West Virginia is giving Rutgers the business so USF needs to get their act in gear. Both WVU and USF have one conference loss so anything can happen in the conference and for USf the Gator Bowl won't cut it. WVU is flexing their muscles, they have such a powerful offense and if you get ahead of Rutgers you neutralize Ray Rice and they're screwed.
Texas Tech is on their late season swoon again. Glad to see them come out hot but fade like always and they still have to play Texas and Oklahoma. Another 7-5 season and trip to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl is in the cards.
Wisconsin and Illinois still don't impress me like anyone one else in the Big 11. This is a bad conference. I hope Michigan wins out and screws Ohio State's season (Bill).
Mississippi State is beating UK and that's bad as far as computer rankings go for LSU. I'm rooting for MSU, (I always root for the black coaches) but I'm getting nervous because Kentucky can make big plays. I hope Coach Croom can finish off the win. It would be funny for his two conference wins to be on the road in the SEC and totally ruin everyone's perception of how hard it is to play on the road.
Louisville was beating Pitt but somehow they came back. USF better not overlook anybody or it will ruin their season. It's a tie game but Louisville may blow another Brian Brohm performance.
More to come during the 3:30 games.
Early Games:
West Virginia is giving Rutgers the business so USF needs to get their act in gear. Both WVU and USF have one conference loss so anything can happen in the conference and for USf the Gator Bowl won't cut it. WVU is flexing their muscles, they have such a powerful offense and if you get ahead of Rutgers you neutralize Ray Rice and they're screwed.
Texas Tech is on their late season swoon again. Glad to see them come out hot but fade like always and they still have to play Texas and Oklahoma. Another 7-5 season and trip to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl is in the cards.
Wisconsin and Illinois still don't impress me like anyone one else in the Big 11. This is a bad conference. I hope Michigan wins out and screws Ohio State's season (Bill).
Mississippi State is beating UK and that's bad as far as computer rankings go for LSU. I'm rooting for MSU, (I always root for the black coaches) but I'm getting nervous because Kentucky can make big plays. I hope Coach Croom can finish off the win. It would be funny for his two conference wins to be on the road in the SEC and totally ruin everyone's perception of how hard it is to play on the road.
Louisville was beating Pitt but somehow they came back. USF better not overlook anybody or it will ruin their season. It's a tie game but Louisville may blow another Brian Brohm performance.
More to come during the 3:30 games.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Genarlow Wilson
So I guess I'm late to come to this but the Georgia Supreme Court has finally decided to free Genarlow Wilson. Wilson was a standout football star in Georgia know for playing Calvin Johnson straight up while in high school.
On New Year's Eve in 2003, Wilson and some buddies had a party at an Atlanta hotel room. Some girls came and the boys decided to tape their encounters with the females. Wilson, who was 17 at the time is on the tape receiving consenual oral sex from one of the girls who was 15 at the time. When another one of the girls claimed she was raped, the tape came forth as evidence that she was not, however, Wilson is seen on the tape performing his act and was convicted of aggravated child molestation which carried a mandatory 10 year sentence. If the two had conventional sex no crime would have been committted but because of what they did the charges were filed.
The law was changed in 2006 to make his crime a misdemeanor but Wilson was not retroactively freed. After spending more than two years in prison, Wilson was finally freed.
I feel that Wilson shouldn't have been punished at all. I just think he was doing what many 17 year-old football stars or any other sports stars do at that age. I'm not condoning breaking the law but I thought he got a bad deal.
But anyway, I promise that the college football talk is coming really soon.
On New Year's Eve in 2003, Wilson and some buddies had a party at an Atlanta hotel room. Some girls came and the boys decided to tape their encounters with the females. Wilson, who was 17 at the time is on the tape receiving consenual oral sex from one of the girls who was 15 at the time. When another one of the girls claimed she was raped, the tape came forth as evidence that she was not, however, Wilson is seen on the tape performing his act and was convicted of aggravated child molestation which carried a mandatory 10 year sentence. If the two had conventional sex no crime would have been committted but because of what they did the charges were filed.
The law was changed in 2006 to make his crime a misdemeanor but Wilson was not retroactively freed. After spending more than two years in prison, Wilson was finally freed.
I feel that Wilson shouldn't have been punished at all. I just think he was doing what many 17 year-old football stars or any other sports stars do at that age. I'm not condoning breaking the law but I thought he got a bad deal.
But anyway, I promise that the college football talk is coming really soon.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
VT/BC
14 points in two minutes. Lane Stadium is eerily quiet. After Matt Ryan hit Rich Gunnell on a pass to make the score 10-7 after a slopopy first half. Coach Jeff Jagodzinski showed some guts and called for an onside kick with 2:35 left that BC recovered. Ryan showed Heisman poise and made an insane throw to Andre Callendar in the endzone to put BC up 14-10. Even better, ESPN just showed Ryan throw up on the sideline, and now he is dry heaving on the sideline. Shouldn't the VT fans be the ones puking?
The VT defense was all over Ryan all night even harrassing him into two picks. The Hokie fans remind me of the Michigan fans after the App St. game. Now can Penn St. beat Ohio St.? The last Buckeye regular season and Big 11 loss was to Penn St. in 2005, I just don't think Penn St. can do it again. And I torn about what I want the Lions to do. Joe Pa is now at 369 wins and Bobby Bowden is at 370. FSU has fewer winnable games than the Lions so lets hope Bobby can stay out on top for a while. More to come tomorrow.
The VT defense was all over Ryan all night even harrassing him into two picks. The Hokie fans remind me of the Michigan fans after the App St. game. Now can Penn St. beat Ohio St.? The last Buckeye regular season and Big 11 loss was to Penn St. in 2005, I just don't think Penn St. can do it again. And I torn about what I want the Lions to do. Joe Pa is now at 369 wins and Bobby Bowden is at 370. FSU has fewer winnable games than the Lions so lets hope Bobby can stay out on top for a while. More to come tomorrow.
World Series Game 2/VT vs BC
Its the top of the 4th inning in the World Series and the Rockies are up 1-0. Wily Tavares scored on a Todd Helton ground out. Lets hope this no name guy for Colorado (actually its Ubaldo Jiminez) is out dueling Curt Schilling but the Sawx keep threatening. I may try to stay up since I don't have to work early tomorrow so go Rocks.
The rain has finally stop in Blacksburg and that isn't a good thing for VT. They got a questionable TD when Eddie Royal barely kept his feet in but if the rain stops Matt Ryan can get into a rhythm. Hopefully their defense can keep doing what they're doing and shutout BC but I'm not counting on it. Hopefully one more post will come tonight at the conclusion of the games. And tomorrow will be the predictions for the college football weekend.
The rain has finally stop in Blacksburg and that isn't a good thing for VT. They got a questionable TD when Eddie Royal barely kept his feet in but if the rain stops Matt Ryan can get into a rhythm. Hopefully their defense can keep doing what they're doing and shutout BC but I'm not counting on it. Hopefully one more post will come tonight at the conclusion of the games. And tomorrow will be the predictions for the college football weekend.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
World Series
Even before they went 8-1.., make that 9-1 in the fifth inning I would have picked the Sawx to win the Series. I'm not rooting for them at all, I actually hate them due to their obnoxious fans that ruin my stadium experience when I want tho watch the Devil Rays, but they have a good team. They do pay a lot for it but Beckett is the truth in the postseaston and no one can argue that.
I don't really want the Rockies to win that much either. While I would prefer a National League team win, the Rockies ruin one of the best baseball years for me in a while after they swept the Phils.
Thank you Bill and the rest of Ohio for making me have to put up with another week and a half of Sawx talk. And Courtney your Facebook status makes me sick.
I'm excited for six days from now when the NBA finally comes back. I really have no reason to anticipate the season: the 76ers didn't take Al Thornton, no one on the team really excites me, A.I. is still in Denver but it will give me something to watch every night and I like seeing the best do what they do.
Plus it will give me something to write about until Florida Football playoffs start (hopefully I will get to cover some games out of that).
So I'm headed to bed now, they really need to start these games earlier so I can stay up for the whole thing but in tonight's game really doesn't matter.
I don't really want the Rockies to win that much either. While I would prefer a National League team win, the Rockies ruin one of the best baseball years for me in a while after they swept the Phils.
Thank you Bill and the rest of Ohio for making me have to put up with another week and a half of Sawx talk. And Courtney your Facebook status makes me sick.
I'm excited for six days from now when the NBA finally comes back. I really have no reason to anticipate the season: the 76ers didn't take Al Thornton, no one on the team really excites me, A.I. is still in Denver but it will give me something to watch every night and I like seeing the best do what they do.
Plus it will give me something to write about until Florida Football playoffs start (hopefully I will get to cover some games out of that).
So I'm headed to bed now, they really need to start these games earlier so I can stay up for the whole thing but in tonight's game really doesn't matter.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
It took a while to recover
Its been a couple of days since I've posted but a lot has gone down. I apologize for missing so much but I'll make this short and sweet. The weekend in sports was pretty terrible for me all around.
FSU lost to UM like you've read and it will take me a while to get over it. Sunday brought more bad news. The Eagles led the whole way against the Bears when Brian Griese decides to go Elway on me and drive Chicago 97 yards with no helmet communication for the winning score. If that wasn't enough the Red Sawx smashed the Indians to get the World Series (someone call Bill and make sure he hasn't jumped off a tall building). There will be more to come in the near future as the sports day allows.
FSU lost to UM like you've read and it will take me a while to get over it. Sunday brought more bad news. The Eagles led the whole way against the Bears when Brian Griese decides to go Elway on me and drive Chicago 97 yards with no helmet communication for the winning score. If that wasn't enough the Red Sawx smashed the Indians to get the World Series (someone call Bill and make sure he hasn't jumped off a tall building). There will be more to come in the near future as the sports day allows.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
FSU v UM
I only got to see the second half because I was camping at a bachelor party, but I'm hurt.
The defense that FSU has been riding for so long has given up the last two games. For some reason they can't make it off the field and get a stop when the Noles need it most. I'm happy Rene hasn't called me yet but I'm expecting him to. And Megan, in class on Monday I'll give you the floor to kick me when I'm down. If the defense makes the stops when we need them the Noles are 6-1 instead of 4-3. I don't understand how FSU can play so well in the 2nd half and not come out with a W. This season is lost and the only to save it now will be a win over the Gators.
Anyway, the Sawx spanked the Indians and I don't Cleveland will recover. Terry Francona needs to get Beckett enough time to pitch three games in the World Series to give Boston their best chance to win.
The defense that FSU has been riding for so long has given up the last two games. For some reason they can't make it off the field and get a stop when the Noles need it most. I'm happy Rene hasn't called me yet but I'm expecting him to. And Megan, in class on Monday I'll give you the floor to kick me when I'm down. If the defense makes the stops when we need them the Noles are 6-1 instead of 4-3. I don't understand how FSU can play so well in the 2nd half and not come out with a W. This season is lost and the only to save it now will be a win over the Gators.
Anyway, the Sawx spanked the Indians and I don't Cleveland will recover. Terry Francona needs to get Beckett enough time to pitch three games in the World Series to give Boston their best chance to win.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Its finally the Weekend
While my boys Rene, Gerry and Josh are headed to Tallahassee to watch the Noles take on the Canes I will be in Venice celebrating my friend Brad's last few weeks of being single. Hopefully the noles can get a W.
I wish USF fans would stop complaining about the officials. Some calls were made that were bad but not necessarily wrong. And moreover, great teams don't let a few bad calls dictate the game for them. The Bulls are still young and only lose five starters so they will keep improving. Stop blaming the officials and blame your own team for not protecting the quarterback, getting burned on special teams twice, going 2-14 on third downs and producing minus-32 yards on their last two posessions. USF needs to bounce back and punish UConn next week.
Can someone explain to me how we get stuck watching Michigan vs Illinois on ABC while LSU and Auburn are relegated to ESPN2? I don't know about anybody else but watching an infeior game doesn't appeal to me. I will say that this is make or break time for both teams. Illinois has to win to prove their a real threat to win the Big 11 while Michigan has to prove themselves each week or hear the overrated talk.
I'm calling it now, CU will knock Kansas from the ranks of the unbeaten. The game to watch in the Big 12 will be Mizzou against Texas Tech. I said it previously that 1000 yards of offense will go up in this game. It may come down to who has the ball last but I'm picking Mizzou for a couple of reasons. Mizzou is at home, Chase Daniel is a stud and this is about the time Mike Leach starts to lead the Red Raiders to the Insight Bowl or Houston Bowl .
Does anyone care about Notre Dame playing USC at 3:30? Most will be watching one of these games: UF at UK, Cal at UCLA for the west coasters, UM at FSU or Michigan State at Ohio State. That's four games that are better than watching USC smoke Notre Dame and listening to the Irish blame Ty Willingham for the loss.
Tonight I'm in Bradenton for Boca Ciega at Southeast and tommorrow I think I will only be able to watch the UF and FSU games so keep me posted on what goes down. With the way the season is going, there may be a lot to tell me about.
I wish USF fans would stop complaining about the officials. Some calls were made that were bad but not necessarily wrong. And moreover, great teams don't let a few bad calls dictate the game for them. The Bulls are still young and only lose five starters so they will keep improving. Stop blaming the officials and blame your own team for not protecting the quarterback, getting burned on special teams twice, going 2-14 on third downs and producing minus-32 yards on their last two posessions. USF needs to bounce back and punish UConn next week.
Can someone explain to me how we get stuck watching Michigan vs Illinois on ABC while LSU and Auburn are relegated to ESPN2? I don't know about anybody else but watching an infeior game doesn't appeal to me. I will say that this is make or break time for both teams. Illinois has to win to prove their a real threat to win the Big 11 while Michigan has to prove themselves each week or hear the overrated talk.
I'm calling it now, CU will knock Kansas from the ranks of the unbeaten. The game to watch in the Big 12 will be Mizzou against Texas Tech. I said it previously that 1000 yards of offense will go up in this game. It may come down to who has the ball last but I'm picking Mizzou for a couple of reasons. Mizzou is at home, Chase Daniel is a stud and this is about the time Mike Leach starts to lead the Red Raiders to the Insight Bowl or Houston Bowl .
Does anyone care about Notre Dame playing USC at 3:30? Most will be watching one of these games: UF at UK, Cal at UCLA for the west coasters, UM at FSU or Michigan State at Ohio State. That's four games that are better than watching USC smoke Notre Dame and listening to the Irish blame Ty Willingham for the loss.
Tonight I'm in Bradenton for Boca Ciega at Southeast and tommorrow I think I will only be able to watch the UF and FSU games so keep me posted on what goes down. With the way the season is going, there may be a lot to tell me about.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
USF-Rutgers w/ some icing
The question now is how far does USF fall? USF did all they could tonight but made too many mistakes. Earlier today I said Rice would be the difference maker and again he was. This is his third straight triple digit game against USF.
Don't hang your heads USF fans, there is still a lot of football to play and the opportunity for a BCS Bowl game is still there. Matt Grothe will only get better and not make the same mistakes he did tonight. Jim Leavitt still has a good thing going in Tampa and one game, as Manny said, its not the end of the world. Teams have to learn how to win big games and USF was able to make it happen at home against West Virginia, but a short week coupled with a big road game was too much to overcome.
I'm happy Joe Torre said no to the Yankees. They pull this guy around and give him an ultimatum only to come crawling back. Good job saying no to the Yankees. Randy Levine said, "the Yankees wanted Joe Torre to come back." If they wanted him to come back it wouldn't have taken this long and all this grandstanding wouldn't have had to take place. Good luck in retirement Mr. Torre, enjoy watching the Yankees tank without you, A-Rod, and Mariano. Joe Girardi, you will have a lot more money being spent but incredible expectations in New York, two things that you didn't have in Florida.
So it looks like the Sawx are going to force a game 6. If the Indians can't take Game 6 I don't see them winning Game 7; however, the Sawx can't throw Josh Beckett in Game 6. Does Terry Francona have the balls to throw Josh Beckett on three days rest? Beckett has done it before pitching a compete game against the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series. Win Game 6 first and then we'll get the answer to that question later.
Don't hang your heads USF fans, there is still a lot of football to play and the opportunity for a BCS Bowl game is still there. Matt Grothe will only get better and not make the same mistakes he did tonight. Jim Leavitt still has a good thing going in Tampa and one game, as Manny said, its not the end of the world. Teams have to learn how to win big games and USF was able to make it happen at home against West Virginia, but a short week coupled with a big road game was too much to overcome.
I'm happy Joe Torre said no to the Yankees. They pull this guy around and give him an ultimatum only to come crawling back. Good job saying no to the Yankees. Randy Levine said, "the Yankees wanted Joe Torre to come back." If they wanted him to come back it wouldn't have taken this long and all this grandstanding wouldn't have had to take place. Good luck in retirement Mr. Torre, enjoy watching the Yankees tank without you, A-Rod, and Mariano. Joe Girardi, you will have a lot more money being spent but incredible expectations in New York, two things that you didn't have in Florida.
So it looks like the Sawx are going to force a game 6. If the Indians can't take Game 6 I don't see them winning Game 7; however, the Sawx can't throw Josh Beckett in Game 6. Does Terry Francona have the balls to throw Josh Beckett on three days rest? Beckett has done it before pitching a compete game against the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series. Win Game 6 first and then we'll get the answer to that question later.
Thursday night
So I finally finished my article and am able to watch some the USF-Rutgers game and some baseball. Thank you to my girlfriend Callie and my buddy Josh for keeping me up on what was going on. I had to cover the St. Pete High at Pinellas Park football game and Josh you'd be happy to know St. Pete High won 35-14 for their first win of the season. I got a game to watch but the rest of you can check out the article in the Times tomorrow. More to come later
Ron Springs
I heard some sad news on the radio as I was driving into the office this morning.
Ron Springs the former Dallas Cowboys running back and the father of Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs is in the hopsital after his body rejected the kidney he was given in a transplant.
Ron was in need of a kidney for sometime and his son decided that he would give up his own NFL career so that he could donate a kidney to his father. Ron didn't want that to happen and asked Shawn not to. Later, Ron's teammate, former Cowboys cornerback Lenny Walls (the guy in the endzone for Dwight Clark's famous catch) found out he was a match and donated the kidney to Ron Springs.
This morning it was reported that Ron Springs is alive but has no brain activity. My thoughts and prayers are with the Springs family through this difficult time.
Ron Springs the former Dallas Cowboys running back and the father of Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs is in the hopsital after his body rejected the kidney he was given in a transplant.
Ron was in need of a kidney for sometime and his son decided that he would give up his own NFL career so that he could donate a kidney to his father. Ron didn't want that to happen and asked Shawn not to. Later, Ron's teammate, former Cowboys cornerback Lenny Walls (the guy in the endzone for Dwight Clark's famous catch) found out he was a match and donated the kidney to Ron Springs.
This morning it was reported that Ron Springs is alive but has no brain activity. My thoughts and prayers are with the Springs family through this difficult time.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Earhole 'Em
I wrote about Manny Ramirez's home run last night and after seeing the highlights earlier today I wonder what is going to happen in Game 5?
Manny posed and admired his handywork in a game his team was losing by four runs. He also starred for the Indians prior to joining Sawx.
If I had the choice, C.C. Sabathia is going to come to the mound and stick one right in his ribs. While I'm notorious for wanting to plunk players I don't like (Albert Pujols) or players I think used steroids (Travis Hafner), Manny earned this plunking on his own.
By watching the ball, showing up the pitcher and basically sticking it to all of his former fans, Manny might need to come to the plate in Barry Bonds type body armor. I'm going to need someone to update me tomorrow on how it goes down but I look forward to reading Manny's name next to HBP in the box score on Friday.
I forgot earlier to mention my second favorite high school football team. My oldest brother Nejay coaches at Jackson High School in Jacksonville. They're 4-3 this year and 1-1 in the district with a game against Live Oak Suwannee this Friday. They still have a shot to make the playoffs but they may be a year away.
I should have said this earlier in the week but Venice High alum and current University of Tampa volleyball player Margeau Sinibaldi was featured in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd section for setting her school and conference record in digs. Congratulations.
Manny posed and admired his handywork in a game his team was losing by four runs. He also starred for the Indians prior to joining Sawx.
If I had the choice, C.C. Sabathia is going to come to the mound and stick one right in his ribs. While I'm notorious for wanting to plunk players I don't like (Albert Pujols) or players I think used steroids (Travis Hafner), Manny earned this plunking on his own.
By watching the ball, showing up the pitcher and basically sticking it to all of his former fans, Manny might need to come to the plate in Barry Bonds type body armor. I'm going to need someone to update me tomorrow on how it goes down but I look forward to reading Manny's name next to HBP in the box score on Friday.
I forgot earlier to mention my second favorite high school football team. My oldest brother Nejay coaches at Jackson High School in Jacksonville. They're 4-3 this year and 1-1 in the district with a game against Live Oak Suwannee this Friday. They still have a shot to make the playoffs but they may be a year away.
I should have said this earlier in the week but Venice High alum and current University of Tampa volleyball player Margeau Sinibaldi was featured in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd section for setting her school and conference record in digs. Congratulations.
Sawx vs Indians
I was worried I'd wake up this morning and see that the Red Sawx had come back and beaten the Indians, or that the game had some high drama at the end that I missed. Luckily both teams realized that I had gone to bed and nothing happened.
I use to have a rule that I would never go to bed in the middle of a big game but once last year I decided to break the rule. The problem is I did it during the Fiesta Bowl after Oklahoma returned an interception for a touchdown. As we know now big mistake.
Tonight there isn't anything on but I did get to wake up and watch the Magic play the Cavs at 8 a.m. I'm most happy that Drew Gooden cut whatever was on the back of his head during last year's NBA Finals off.
I think I'll be stuck with hockey until tomorrow's USF game that I won't get to watch.
I use to have a rule that I would never go to bed in the middle of a big game but once last year I decided to break the rule. The problem is I did it during the Fiesta Bowl after Oklahoma returned an interception for a touchdown. As we know now big mistake.
Tonight there isn't anything on but I did get to wake up and watch the Magic play the Cavs at 8 a.m. I'm most happy that Drew Gooden cut whatever was on the back of his head during last year's NBA Finals off.
I think I'll be stuck with hockey until tomorrow's USF game that I won't get to watch.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
My assignments from the Times
I got some great news today from my editor at the St. Pete Times. Instead of covering one game this Friday I get to cover one Thursday and one Friday. They both are big school games too which I haven't had much of a chance to do.
Thursday night I get to cover Josh's alma mater St. Pete High against Pinellas Park. I told you I'd get to step up to the big time soon.
Friday night its the alma mater of Angela Bassett (What's Love got to Do With It, Waiting to Exhale) Boca Ciega against Southeast High School of Bradenton. Famous alumni include Peter Warrick, Adrian McPherson, USF cornerback Mike Jenkins, and Amare Stoudemire's older brother Hazell.
Early tomorrow I will drop some knowledge from the Sawx/Indians game from tonight. As of now its 7-2 Cleveland in the top of the 6th. Kevin Youklis and David Ortiz have just hit back-to-back jacks after the Indians had a seven run inning. I'm trying to stay up but I can't stay up any longer.
Thursday night I get to cover Josh's alma mater St. Pete High against Pinellas Park. I told you I'd get to step up to the big time soon.
Friday night its the alma mater of Angela Bassett (What's Love got to Do With It, Waiting to Exhale) Boca Ciega against Southeast High School of Bradenton. Famous alumni include Peter Warrick, Adrian McPherson, USF cornerback Mike Jenkins, and Amare Stoudemire's older brother Hazell.
Early tomorrow I will drop some knowledge from the Sawx/Indians game from tonight. As of now its 7-2 Cleveland in the top of the 6th. Kevin Youklis and David Ortiz have just hit back-to-back jacks after the Indians had a seven run inning. I'm trying to stay up but I can't stay up any longer.
Mistakes
Apparently I keep making a lot of grammatical errors in my writing. Well even though most of the time I'm writing on speed I will try to fix it. Sorry for making it difficult for you all to read.
Baseball Playoff/MNF
The Red Sawx always figure out a way to confuse me. They start the ALCS mashing the Indians' and maybe the AL's two best pitchers but then get shut down by Jake Westbrook.
While Daisuke Matsuzaka is struggling to finish five innings, Westbrook went 6 2/3 and got 14 ground ball outs. The $100 million investment seems to have hit its high. Westbrook cost Cleveland about $70 million less.
Kenny Lofton drove in two runs with a homerun the Indians now have a 2-1 series lead. Enjoy it William, the fall to Earth without a parachute is not a good feeling. Just ask any Phillies or D-Backs fan.
The Rockies are the seventh wild card team to reach the World Series since 2002 which means winning the division means nothing these days. The Rockies are scorching right now so these days off may not be a good thing. They have won seven straight postseason games and 21 of 22. The D-Backs, who had the best record in the NL, never were much of a match for the Rockies either. Maybe they were lucky and getting all of the breaks like Eric Byrnes said, but four straight games just means you're better than the other guys. I just hope they start the games a little earlier so I can stay up to watch.
The Giants started their easy streak by whooping the Falcons 31-10 but that's not much of a suprise. Eli and Plax have a nice connection going on right now and that's something to say since Plax and A.I. have the same feelings about practice.
Not sure what to watch in sports tonight with it being Tuesday and hoops not started yet we'll be stuck with hockey. I'll wait until Thursday when we get to see if USF can keep riding the wave against Rutgers.
While Daisuke Matsuzaka is struggling to finish five innings, Westbrook went 6 2/3 and got 14 ground ball outs. The $100 million investment seems to have hit its high. Westbrook cost Cleveland about $70 million less.
Kenny Lofton drove in two runs with a homerun the Indians now have a 2-1 series lead. Enjoy it William, the fall to Earth without a parachute is not a good feeling. Just ask any Phillies or D-Backs fan.
The Rockies are the seventh wild card team to reach the World Series since 2002 which means winning the division means nothing these days. The Rockies are scorching right now so these days off may not be a good thing. They have won seven straight postseason games and 21 of 22. The D-Backs, who had the best record in the NL, never were much of a match for the Rockies either. Maybe they were lucky and getting all of the breaks like Eric Byrnes said, but four straight games just means you're better than the other guys. I just hope they start the games a little earlier so I can stay up to watch.
The Giants started their easy streak by whooping the Falcons 31-10 but that's not much of a suprise. Eli and Plax have a nice connection going on right now and that's something to say since Plax and A.I. have the same feelings about practice.
Not sure what to watch in sports tonight with it being Tuesday and hoops not started yet we'll be stuck with hockey. I'll wait until Thursday when we get to see if USF can keep riding the wave against Rutgers.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Polish the Resume
Does Frank Solich find this as funny as I do? Nebraska fired their AD Steve Pederson and there is no doubt the Bill Callahan is next.
Solich was a Tom Osborne disciple and personally picked by the legendary coach to succed him in Lincoln. Steve Pederson shows up and two years after going to the National Title game, Pederson fired Solich and brought in Callahan fresh off a 4-12 season with the Raiders.
While Callahan got a pass to bring in his players to run his system, Solich moved on to Ohio University.
All Callahan has done is cut down on walk-ons; a staple at Nebraska, change the offensive system, Bob Devany and Osborne can't be happy; and repeatedly gets waxed at Memorial Stadium.
He even got a four year extension from Pederson after a 9-5 Big 12 North winning season.
This Saturday's pasting at the hands of Oklahoma State (that's right Oklahoma State), is probobly the last straw. The Huskers have been crushed by Missouri and USC on National TV, Ball State was one play from pulling off a big upset and still has trips to Austin, Lawrence and Boulder along with a home date against Kansas State. The Big Red could lose the rest of their games.
Good luck Huskers on finding your new AD and coach this offseason and hopefully returning yourselves to the glory days.
Solich was a Tom Osborne disciple and personally picked by the legendary coach to succed him in Lincoln. Steve Pederson shows up and two years after going to the National Title game, Pederson fired Solich and brought in Callahan fresh off a 4-12 season with the Raiders.
While Callahan got a pass to bring in his players to run his system, Solich moved on to Ohio University.
All Callahan has done is cut down on walk-ons; a staple at Nebraska, change the offensive system, Bob Devany and Osborne can't be happy; and repeatedly gets waxed at Memorial Stadium.
He even got a four year extension from Pederson after a 9-5 Big 12 North winning season.
This Saturday's pasting at the hands of Oklahoma State (that's right Oklahoma State), is probobly the last straw. The Huskers have been crushed by Missouri and USC on National TV, Ball State was one play from pulling off a big upset and still has trips to Austin, Lawrence and Boulder along with a home date against Kansas State. The Big Red could lose the rest of their games.
Good luck Huskers on finding your new AD and coach this offseason and hopefully returning yourselves to the glory days.
NFL
I think it was Jimmy Swaggart who stood in front of his congregation and cried, "I have sinned."
Well this week I have to confess that to the few people reading each time. I didn't watch near enough football on Sunday but here is my excuse, I'll let you all be the judge if it is any good or not.
I became a godparent yesterday and my god son Gavin was baptized. I have him started early and for his second birthday I got him a Donovan McNabb jersey. My watching consisted of brief parts of the first half of the Bucs game, some of the Eagles game while at Beef O' Bradys, the second half of the Pats game and the Saints game.
I'll do the best I can so hopefully you haven't read all of these yet.
Coach Reid, please don't kick to Devin Hester, please don't kick to DH. The Bears offense is so bad we can give them the ball at the 35 and I'd feel better about it.
While we're at it, we'll just give Adrian Peterson the offensive rookie of the year trophy.
So what will happen first, a Patriots loss or a Dolphins win? They play next week but I don't see Miami doing anything.
For being such a defensive genius Marvin Lewis will need a new job next season if not next week.
Kudos to old man Vinny Testaverde for getting the W for Courtney and the Panthers. Lost in all of it was a huge day from D'Angelo Williams. DeShaun Foster, you may not have your gig next week either.
So for everyone who said Reggie Bush couldn't' run between the tackles, myself included, he impressed last night. While yes he did do a lot of his damage on the outside, this is the first time I saw him run hard since the USC days. Let's hope he keeps it going b/c I don't want the Bucs (Steve), the Panthers(Courtney), or the Falcons (Logan) to win that division. Let's hope I'm that lucky.
I guess tomorrow I should talk baseball since both Leagues play Monday. I haven't watched much at all since the Phillies tanked but I'll start tomorrow.
p.s. Just got my week old S.I. and now I've learned why the Phillies lost, the cover jinx lives.
Well this week I have to confess that to the few people reading each time. I didn't watch near enough football on Sunday but here is my excuse, I'll let you all be the judge if it is any good or not.
I became a godparent yesterday and my god son Gavin was baptized. I have him started early and for his second birthday I got him a Donovan McNabb jersey. My watching consisted of brief parts of the first half of the Bucs game, some of the Eagles game while at Beef O' Bradys, the second half of the Pats game and the Saints game.
I'll do the best I can so hopefully you haven't read all of these yet.
Coach Reid, please don't kick to Devin Hester, please don't kick to DH. The Bears offense is so bad we can give them the ball at the 35 and I'd feel better about it.
While we're at it, we'll just give Adrian Peterson the offensive rookie of the year trophy.
So what will happen first, a Patriots loss or a Dolphins win? They play next week but I don't see Miami doing anything.
For being such a defensive genius Marvin Lewis will need a new job next season if not next week.
Kudos to old man Vinny Testaverde for getting the W for Courtney and the Panthers. Lost in all of it was a huge day from D'Angelo Williams. DeShaun Foster, you may not have your gig next week either.
So for everyone who said Reggie Bush couldn't' run between the tackles, myself included, he impressed last night. While yes he did do a lot of his damage on the outside, this is the first time I saw him run hard since the USC days. Let's hope he keeps it going b/c I don't want the Bucs (Steve), the Panthers(Courtney), or the Falcons (Logan) to win that division. Let's hope I'm that lucky.
I guess tomorrow I should talk baseball since both Leagues play Monday. I haven't watched much at all since the Phillies tanked but I'll start tomorrow.
p.s. Just got my week old S.I. and now I've learned why the Phillies lost, the cover jinx lives.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
I Know Its Been a While
Sorry for taking so long between posts. Saturday was spent just watching all of the games courtesy of my friends Jim & Kelly-Ann, their 57-inch television and Jim buying ESPN GamePlan.
I didn't get to watch all of Hawaii's game Friday night but I saw the Warriors pull out the victory in OT. Colt Brennan is puuting up crazy numbers but 4 INTs isn't gonna cut it. He may win the Heisman more on the fact that no one else seems to want it right now. While entertaining, I'm not that impressed. He also threw the ball 75 times and that is insane.
The noon games didn't offer that much entertainment but it was nice to see USF dominate UCF. Is it me or does Matt Grothe miss a lot of throws. He makes a lot of nice plays but he needs to get more accurate. He'll make a throw like the one to Tauras Johnson in the back of the endzone to end the half but then bounce one the next play. His receivers made some bad drops too. They debuted at number 2 in the BCS standings but I still want to see a complete game. Hopefully the short week against Rutgers doesn't hurt them. And I guess I was wrong about Kevin Smith. He was a non factor and the only play he made was when he fell in the endzone for a safety.
Saturday was a great day for my boy Bill McConnell. The Buckeyes get a big W and the Indians win. OSU was number 1 for a while last year William and we all saw how that ended up. Don't look now but that's Michigan next to you atop the Big Eleven standings and the Wolverines have something to prove still.
Did anyone else see Illinois' loss coming? I didn't but with all of the Ron Zook redemption stories this week I should have known. They have inconsistent qb play and once Arrelious Benn went out they lost their best playmaker. The Illini had a chance to win but made to many mistakes.
The jury is still out on Kansas even after they beat Kansas State. The rest of the schedule reads like this: Colorado, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and then Missouri. Maybe CU can test them, but TAMU won't, what Nebraska and OSU teams will show up, and Iowa State is terrible. Kansas has a real shot to win the Big 12 North and the right to get crushed by Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship.
Rene I hurt for you with the way UM played. No qb, decent running game, solid D and still not enough. Another loss in the OB. Can't wait to go to Dolphins Stadium next season, maybe the Canes can get someone to buy the name.
LSU what happened? We've been hearing all year long about Glenn Dorsey and the vaunted defense and Andre Woodson and a fourth string tailback killed them. I don't know about Auburn after their nine point output at Arkansas but you need to get it fixed and soon. It would be a shame to waste all that talent and not go to the national championship game.
It's about time Joe McKnight. The Reggie Bush talk was getting old but I saw some flashes. Now hopefully Pete Carroll will take a year off of recruiting tailbacks and give you and the other seven guys back there a chance to run the ball. The Trojans will crush Notre Dame next week but the next three against Oregon, Oregon State and Cal will decide the season.
For all the hell the Versus Network gets for no one watching the NHL, they give us east coasters a chance to watch the Pac-10. Last week they had the Stanford vs USC game and yesterday they gave us Oregon State at Cal. Two of the upsets this season. I know the Pac-10's top teams are hoping they don't come up on the VS lineup each week.
Some quick hits:
Missouri and Texas Tech will put up 1000 yards of offense next week but Mizzou will come out on top and be in the driver's seat for a spot in the Big 12 Championship.
Lousiville's defense finally decided to stop someone and gave Cincy it's first loss. UConn lost to UVA. Two more undefeated teams gone along with LSU, Mizzou and Cal.
Did anyone see the catch made by Vandy wide receiver Sean Walker? Catch of the year.
I couldn't find it on Youtube yet but him and the Georgia DB juggle it around, as he reaches the back of the endzone he catches it and keeps his left foot on the ground as he's falling out of bounds. Initially called incomplete, but reversed and given a touchdown.
Tomorrow we'll talk NFL.
I didn't get to watch all of Hawaii's game Friday night but I saw the Warriors pull out the victory in OT. Colt Brennan is puuting up crazy numbers but 4 INTs isn't gonna cut it. He may win the Heisman more on the fact that no one else seems to want it right now. While entertaining, I'm not that impressed. He also threw the ball 75 times and that is insane.
The noon games didn't offer that much entertainment but it was nice to see USF dominate UCF. Is it me or does Matt Grothe miss a lot of throws. He makes a lot of nice plays but he needs to get more accurate. He'll make a throw like the one to Tauras Johnson in the back of the endzone to end the half but then bounce one the next play. His receivers made some bad drops too. They debuted at number 2 in the BCS standings but I still want to see a complete game. Hopefully the short week against Rutgers doesn't hurt them. And I guess I was wrong about Kevin Smith. He was a non factor and the only play he made was when he fell in the endzone for a safety.
Saturday was a great day for my boy Bill McConnell. The Buckeyes get a big W and the Indians win. OSU was number 1 for a while last year William and we all saw how that ended up. Don't look now but that's Michigan next to you atop the Big Eleven standings and the Wolverines have something to prove still.
Did anyone else see Illinois' loss coming? I didn't but with all of the Ron Zook redemption stories this week I should have known. They have inconsistent qb play and once Arrelious Benn went out they lost their best playmaker. The Illini had a chance to win but made to many mistakes.
The jury is still out on Kansas even after they beat Kansas State. The rest of the schedule reads like this: Colorado, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and then Missouri. Maybe CU can test them, but TAMU won't, what Nebraska and OSU teams will show up, and Iowa State is terrible. Kansas has a real shot to win the Big 12 North and the right to get crushed by Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship.
Rene I hurt for you with the way UM played. No qb, decent running game, solid D and still not enough. Another loss in the OB. Can't wait to go to Dolphins Stadium next season, maybe the Canes can get someone to buy the name.
LSU what happened? We've been hearing all year long about Glenn Dorsey and the vaunted defense and Andre Woodson and a fourth string tailback killed them. I don't know about Auburn after their nine point output at Arkansas but you need to get it fixed and soon. It would be a shame to waste all that talent and not go to the national championship game.
It's about time Joe McKnight. The Reggie Bush talk was getting old but I saw some flashes. Now hopefully Pete Carroll will take a year off of recruiting tailbacks and give you and the other seven guys back there a chance to run the ball. The Trojans will crush Notre Dame next week but the next three against Oregon, Oregon State and Cal will decide the season.
For all the hell the Versus Network gets for no one watching the NHL, they give us east coasters a chance to watch the Pac-10. Last week they had the Stanford vs USC game and yesterday they gave us Oregon State at Cal. Two of the upsets this season. I know the Pac-10's top teams are hoping they don't come up on the VS lineup each week.
Some quick hits:
Missouri and Texas Tech will put up 1000 yards of offense next week but Mizzou will come out on top and be in the driver's seat for a spot in the Big 12 Championship.
Lousiville's defense finally decided to stop someone and gave Cincy it's first loss. UConn lost to UVA. Two more undefeated teams gone along with LSU, Mizzou and Cal.
Did anyone see the catch made by Vandy wide receiver Sean Walker? Catch of the year.
I couldn't find it on Youtube yet but him and the Georgia DB juggle it around, as he reaches the back of the endzone he catches it and keeps his left foot on the ground as he's falling out of bounds. Initially called incomplete, but reversed and given a touchdown.
Tomorrow we'll talk NFL.
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