BCS Bowls and Updates

Navy beat Army this weekend for the 6th straight time, after the coach from Army guaranteed a victory. Shout outs to my boy Le'Andre Calloway who plays on that D-Line for Navy.


I got some stuff I gotta do today, but I'm gonna get back with my bowl predictions for each bowl.


Ok, so now the biggest story out of College Football this weekend was the bowl selections, and who got snubbed. For my money, Georgia got screwed. In the BCS rulebook it states that you don't have to win your conference to play for the coach's trophy. It sure helps, but you don't HAVE to.


The argument people are making is that Georgia lost to Tennessee who got beat by LSU. Well, I'm not buying it. If we're saying that, Ohio State got beat by Illinois who lost to Iowa. They played in the soft ass Big Ten, and would have lost at least 3 times in the SEC, where Georgia only lost twice. But that's neither here nore there. Dawgs coach Mark Richt is pissed off, and he has the right to be. His tema was ranked #4 going in to the week. Then, the #1, and #2 teams lost. The #3 team slid to #1, so it would only figure that the #4 team slide to #2.


I almost think LSU got in because it's the matchup people wanted to see.


Oh, and Missouri should be heated too. How did they get snuffed on the Orange Bowl, but Kansas, who they beat, got in? That doesn't make sense. Kansas will get destroyed by Va Tech.

But a friend of mine put it pretty simply to me. "Don't get beat twice by the same team in the same year." He said his squad would be able to avenge any loss they suffered throughout the year, any year. You should never lose to the same team 2 times in a season, which is true. But still..Kansas? That's just weak for Mizzou.


Never the less, here are the bowl matchups, dates, times and networks being played on:


San Diego Co. Credit Union Poinsettia Dec. 20
9 p.m. San Diego, Calif. Utah vs. Navy ESPN

R&L Carriers New Orleans Dec. 21
8 p.m. New Orleans, La. Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis ESPN2

PapaJohn's.com Dec. 22
1 p.m. Birmingham, Ala. Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss ESPN2

New Mexico Dec. 22
4:30 p.m. Albuquerque, N.M. New Mexico vs. Nevada ESPN

Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Dec. 22
8 p.m. Las Vegas, Nev. BYU vs. UCLA ESPN

Sheraton Hawaii Dec. 23
8 p.m. Honolulu, Hawaii East Carolina vs. Boise State ESPN

Motor City Dec. 26
7:30 p.m. Detroit, Mich. Purdue vs. Central Michigan ESPN

Pacific Life Holiday Dec. 27
8 p.m. San Diego, Calif. Texas vs. Arizona State ESPN

Champs Sports Dec. 28
5 p.m. Orlando, Fla. Boston College vs. Michigan State ESPN

Texas Dec. 28
8 p.m. Houston, Texas TCU vs. Houston NFL

Emerald Dec. 28
8:30 p.m. San Francisco, Calif. Maryland vs. Oregon State ESPN

Meineke Car Care Dec. 29
1 p.m. Charlotte, N.C. Wake Forest vs. Connecticut ESPN

AutoZone Liberty Dec. 29
4:30 p.m. Memphis, Tenn. UCF vs. Mississippi State ESPN

Alamo Dec. 29
8 p.m. San Antonio, Texas Penn State vs. Texas A&M ESPN

Petro Sun Independence Dec. 30
8 p.m. Shreveport, La. Colorado vs. Alabama ESPN

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Dec. 31
12:30 p.m. Fort Worth, Texas Air Force vs. California ESPN

Sun Dec. 31
2 p.m. El Paso, Texas South Florida vs. Oregon CBS

Humanitarian Dec. 31
2 p.m. Boise, Idaho Georgia Tech vs. Fresno State ESPN2

Gaylord Hotels Music City Dec. 31
4 p.m. Nashville, Tenn. Kentucky vs. Florida State ESPN

Chick-fil-A Dec. 31
7:30 p.m. Atlanta, Ga. Auburn vs. Clemson ESPN

Insight Dec. 31
TBA Tempe, Ariz. Indiana vs. Oklahoma State NFL

Outback Jan. 1
11 a.m. Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin vs. Tennessee ESPN

AT&T Cotton Jan. 1
11:30 a.m. Dallas, Texas Missouri vs. Arkansas FOX

Gator Jan. 1
1 p.m. Jacksonville, Fla. Virginia vs. Texas Tech CBS

Capital One Jan. 1
1 p.m. Orlando, Fla. Michigan vs. Florida ABC

Rose presented by Citi Jan. 1
4:30 p.m. Pasadena, Calif. USC vs. Illinois ABC

Allstate Sugar Jan. 1
8:30 p.m. New Orleans, La. Hawaii vs. Georgia FOX

Tostitos Fiesta Jan. 2
8 p.m. Glendale, Ariz. Oklahoma vs. West Virginia FOX

FedEx Orange Jan. 3
8 p.m. Miami, Fla. Virginia Tech vs. Kansas FOX

International Jan. 5
12 p.m. Toronto, Canada Rutgers vs. Ball State ESPN2

GMAC Jan. 6
8 p.m. Mobile, Ala. Tulsa vs. Bowling Green ESPN

BCS National Championship Jan. 7
8 p.m. New Orleans, La. Ohio State vs. LSU FOX

I've come to realize..

That some people are a lost cause. I have friends who, lately, have been talking about wanting to change their ways. Whether it be because they have a child on the way, or just need to stop behaving the way they do, they just can't seem to do it. They will talk a big game, but fold when it comes to the action.

"I'm ready to change. I NEED to change," they'll say. "No more drinks for me. I can't get high anymore. Don't have the money, and haven't been feeling well lately." Followed by, "but if you want to come smoke me out, that's straight." Or, "come buy your boy a drink down at (name a bar/club) tonight."


That sort of talk is not going to help you with cleaning up your act. Why would say you need to stop doing something, then invite people to do these things with you? You're not going to stop, even eventually, if you keep inviting people to partake with you. If you need to stop smoking, because you're broke, or you don't have a job and you need to pass a drug test, it's not gonna work if you say "come to my crib and blaze one with me." It's just not going to work.


I have tried to tell different people this. I tried to let them know that yes, you're going to have to make sacrifices. But the sacrifices are for the better. You're not going to be getting high. But you'll feel better. You'll be more efficient. You'll even think clearer. I know it's hard to believe, but you can do it. You can break this routine that you've developed. You're not going to want to, as you have become so used to it, that it's now second nature. But you HAVE to. You, in yourself, have to find the will power it takes to succeed. I am talking about personal excellence. Some people have it in them to excel and still be able to do these things, getting high, or drunk constantly. Most people do not. Most people need 100% devotion from themselves to reach their full potential.


It's not only about drugs or alcohol, either. Take a day and think about how you treat the people around you, or people in general. Are you a person that people want to be around? Are you a person that someone feels can share a worth while conversation? Are you someone that can make someone think with one sentence? Can you bring out the best in someone besides yourself? If not, then why not? What are you going to do in order to change that? What are you willing to do to change that? Are you willing to change yourself?


I'm not necessarily talking about a good job, or maintaining a friendship, or relationship. Those are included. In general, what kind of person are you? Are you what you always thought you would be? Chances are no. Percentages say no. Have you become someone you respect. Are you proud of yourself. Not


What goals have you set for yourself? For you? What do YOU want to do, and what are you doing to make it happen?

You can be successful in business and be a complete failure. Success does not equal happiness. It damn sure helps, but it isn't the only key. You don't NEED money to be happy. There is no doubt that does wonders to your self esteem for a while. But what are you doing with that money? Are you just paying your bills and getting by? Are you stuffing it all away in bank? Are you investing for your future? Has your future come sooner than expected? These are only a couple things to keep in mind every day.


Write down your goals. Seriously. Write them down, and put them in a place that you'll look at them every single day. On your bathroom mirror, a sticky note that you attach to your computer screen, the background on your cell phone, wherever it is that you look every single day. Seeing your goals in writing will make you hold yourself more accountable if you don't reach them. It will make you feel better when you look at your list, and realize they're no longer goals. You're now looking at a list of accomplishments.


But I'll finish with bringing it back to the original point I was trying to make before I got sidetracked. Some people just don't get it. They will. The timing might not be right. Maybe they need to wait until it's too late to make a significant change and realize they should have been trying to whole time. Words are worth their weight. You can talk all day, but what you do to back those words up make them mean something. Don't say you're going to do this, or not do that. Just do it, or stop doing it. Then you won't have to tell me, "Man I need to stop doing this. I need to start doing this." Because if you're talking like that, chances are you're too far gone for it to really matter.

It's Jimmy V Week

Starting today (the 28th) ESPN will be launching what is known as Jimmy V week. This will have footage of the coach, and information on his foundation incorporated in games throughout the week. This will include college games, pro games, football, and basketball alike. It will end with the showing of that 1983 NCAA championship game, December 4th on ESPN Classic.

If you don't know who Jimmy V is, let me help you out. Jimmy Valvano was, most famously, the head coach for the basketball team at NC State when they won their championship against Houston's Phi Slamma Jamma in 1983. He was stricken with cancer, and 10 years later at the first ever ESPYs was given the first annual Arther Ashe award, as Dick Vitale put it, "being a winner on and off the court." Jimmy V was very highly respected amongst his peers, his teams, and his opponents. The story goes that not long before the ESPYs, during a routine check up, it was learned that the cancer had spread throughout the coach's entire body. He became so weak that Duke coach, Mike Krzyzewski and his wife had to accompany Jimmy V on the flight from North Carolina to New York for the awards. Jimmy V was in a wheel chair at this point, and very, very ill. He was on record as saying all he could think about were his children. He had no desire to come to the ESPYs, as that would take away time from his children and family.

Well, he was convinced to accept his award in person, and gave one of the most hair raising, inspiring speeches of all time. Coach Valvano started the Jimmy V foundation shortly after being diagnosed. The foundation collects donations that go towards cancer research. To date, they have raised over $70 million. They have an annual dinner where different celebrities and coaches pay a certain amount per plate. They have an auction, and other fundraisers. Legend has it that as the event was ready to wrap up last year, Coach Krzyzewski, from Duke instead of handing the mic off, and closing down, he went on to raise $200,000 more dollars at the end of the night.


Here's the video of him running around the court after NC State upset Houston in the 1983 NCAA finals, which the image stays embedded in the minds of many as the coach "running around looking for someone to hug"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=t-ov74rxxy4


And here's the video of his speech at the 1993 ESPY awards.

With the Bad Comes the Good

We all know the saying "with the good comes the bad," right? Well does it have to be good before it can be bad? Or can a situation be bad, and turn to good? Kind of like saying what goes up must come down. But does that mean something can't start down and rise up? Just a thought.




Anyways, with all the saddening talk of Sean Taylor that has been dominating sports airwaives this week, we've missed a couple bright spots. Kansas City Chiefs O-Lineman Kyle Turley is stepping up and donating an entire game check to the 'Gridiron Greats' organization. He has challenged every player to donate at least a portion of their game check for this week to the cause. He has confirmed at least 20 players thus far, and is sending out a letter to every player in the league. Mike Ditka and Gale Sayers head the 'Gridiron Greats' organization which has petitioned the NFL and the NFLPA to increase disability benefits to not only current players, but former players as well.

This, ideally, helps former NFL players who are suffering from, and the lasting effects of, injuries sustained during their playing days. Some of these men don't have the means to pay for medical bills. The NFL, and the player's association doesn't want to give up more money than they already do to their former stars, and founding fathers of the game. There are players who have suffered, among many other things, concussions and have so many problems from chronic pain, to depression, to the point where a number have killed themselves. These former players suffer from injuries that leave them unable to join the work force. That shouldn't be a problem, because they made so much money playing ball, right? Well when you factor in the number of surgeries and other procedures that they need just to stay alive, some of these guys get completely wiped out financially.

Take Mike Webster, for example. He's a hall of fame center that played on the Steelers. He died, homeless, in 2002. He suffered from extreme mental illness which is attributed to injuries he suffered during his playing days. There are hundreds of stories similar to this one.

I'll be out on this Kyle Turley quote, which really hits the nail on the head:

"We make a lot of money playing this game and it's because of the guys that played before us. Are we going to wait until guys die? Are we going to wait until guys commit suicide before we make a difference and change this thing? If this system doesn't get fixed, no matter how much money you make ... you are a serious surgery away from being broke."

Another Day, Another Sad Story

So we all know that there are tons of things that go down every single day that would make your stomach turn. Early Monday morning, Redskins safety Sean Taylor was shot at his home in Miami. He was not with the team, because of injury, and that is the norm for the Redskins. But, the story goes, that 8 days before this, someone broke in to Taylor's home, went through his belongings, tried to get in to a safe. They didn't take anything, but left a kitchen knife on the bedroom pillow. No one was home at the time. Early Monday morning, Taylor heard someone in his house. He got the machete he kept under the bed for protection and went to lock the bedroom door. The door swung open, and 2 shots were fired, including the one that hit the 'Hitman' and got an artery. He passed early Tuesday morning. We all know this story by now. Something is fishy about this, though. It's being treated as a home invasion, but I don't see it that way. First, they broke in his house while no one was home and didn't take anything. That doesn't mold well with me. Second, his father is the chief of police in near by Florida City, and should have told Sean that this was no breaking and entering, or robbery. If it was, something would be missing. Something. Anything. Silverware. A TV. The family pet. Something would have disappeared. I don't know why his pops wouldn't Say, "listen son, you need a gun for protection right now. Someone came in to your home and didn't take anything. That means they were looking for you, not your things.

But here's my issue with this. He didn't have a gun in the house. After it got broken in to 8 days before that. I'm not putting that 100% on him though. The league doesn't want any of their players to have guns, even at their home, because they are so dangerous. They don't want their players to shoot anybody, even in defense because it shines a negative light on the league. But now, they are looking dumb because Sean Taylor was at home, in his bedroom and someone broke in his house. He didn't have a gun, and now one of their players is dead. The second NFL player in less than a year to be killed by the bullet (Darrent Williams). I would imagine the number of guns being purchased by NFL players are skyrocketing this week. You HAVE to be able to protect yourself. Florida has laws that would have made it 100% acceptable for Sean Taylor to shoot this man between the eyes. He would have never seen the inside of a jail. Not even for 2 seconds. At Sean Taylor's house, the first time it was broken in to, the phone lines were cut, disabling any communication with the security company. They phone company should have moved his box inside the house at that point. But now, the murder investigation starts, not the breaking and entering, or attempted robbery. Will this be another case that goes unsolved? Will it get preferential treatment because of his father's occupation? Was it over a girl? His fiance? Does she know who did this?


I think the NFL should have classes, or a symposium, about security. They have these meetings for rookies to give them basic knowledge of how their life is going to change since they are coming in to the NFL. They should have the same thing once a year for gun control. It's not illegal to own a gun, unless you're a felon, and the league shouldn't say that none of their players should have one, even at home, for protection. These players are at risk, more than the average person, even if they live in your average upper middle class neighborhood. I would say more so for robbery than a straight out murder, or attempt at harm, but you have to look at both sides of the blade being sharp in this case.

Any way you look at it, a man is dead, and a daughter will grow up with out a father.

A Quick Note to Jimbo Fisher

First of all, as a Gator fan, let me say HAHA. With that being said..

Dear Jimbo,

You weren't brought to FSU, and paid the major dollar to throw up 0 TDs against your biggest rival, lose to Wake Forrest, and Miami who didn't even qualify for a bowl. Jeff Bowden did better than that. Don't you wish you would have stayed at LSU? You would be playing for the SEC championship, and a BCS bowl birth. Sucks to be you, big guy.


Sincerely, and still lauging,

Big Mike

FSU SUCKS. and when I say suck, I mean REALLY REALLY SUCK

Tim Tebow has beat the crap out of so many teams, medical journals now classify Tebow as a laxative.

When Tim Tebow wants popcorn, he breathes on Nebraska.




A Tallahassee area mortician had a new apprentice who was learning the embalming ropes. He walked into the embalming room where a cadaver was lying on the table.

Thinking he knew enough now to begin the procedure without his boss, he began examining the body. He rolled it over and to his amazement there was a cork in its ass. Mystified, he pulled it out, and immediately heard, the Florida State Chop song come out the guys butt.

Startled by what had happened, he shoved the cork back into the cadaver and ran up the stairs to find his mentor. "Sir, you've got to come down and help me, I've just seen something I can't believe."

Annoyed by the naiveté of his assistant, he said OK and followed him downstairs. "There, look at the cork in the ass of that body, I couldn't imagine what it was doing there so I pulled it out. Please you do it."

The mortician was a bit surprised to see the cork, too, so he walked to the table and removed the cork. Then the Florida State Chop song started playing.

Exasperated, he replaced the cork in its appointed position, turned to his assistant and said: "What's so surprising about that. I've heard thousands of assholes sing that song."






What do you call an FSU Grad wearing a suit and tie?
The Defendant


The FSU football team was placed in a remedial English class. The professor asked the class, "Does anyone know what comes after a sentence?" All of the players raised their hands. "The appeal!" they shouted with CrimiNOLE pride.



What do FSU Football players usually get on their SAT's?
Drool


Do you know why Doak Campbell switched to Artificial Turf in 2000?
To keep the cheerleaders from grazing at halftime


What's the difference betwen a 300 pound heifer and a FSU cheerleader?
About 30 pounds, but if you grain feed the heifer, she'll catch up.


How many Alabama fans does it take to change a light bulb?
About 75,000. One to change the bulb, and 74,999 to stand around and talk about how great the old one used to be.




How do you keep a Nole out of your front yard?
Put up Goalposts


There's a car with a Nole linebacker, a Nole Receiver, and a Nole DB. Who's driving?
The cop


What's the difference between the Seminoles a.k.a. the Semenholes and a bucket of shit?
The bucket




What's the best thing to come out of Tallahassee?
I-10


Why is FSU changing their mascot to the possum?
Because they play dead at home and get killed on the road.


What should you do if you find three Noles buried up to their necks in cement?
Get more cement!


A FSU grad, a Miami grad, and a Florida grad are waiting to be executed by firing squad. The UF grad is first, and as he is waiting to be executed, he yells, "Earthquake!" The firing squad panics and runs away, allowing the Florida grad to jump over the wall and escape. The Miami grad is next, and as he is waiting to be executed, he yells, "Flood!" The firing squad again panics and runs away, so the Miami grad also jumps over the wall and escapes. The FSU grad is last. As he is waiting to be executed, he remembers that the UF and Miami grads had done, so he yells, "Fire!"





What do a Florida student and an FSU student have in common?
They both got accepted to FSU


A guy walks in to a store and goes to the clerk and says, "I want a garnet shirt, gold pants, and white shoes." The clerk says "you must be an FSU fan." The guy says "yeah, how did you know? was it the color combination?" The clerk replies, "No, this is a hardware store"


There was a couple who were getting divorced, so the judge said to the child, "Who do you want to live with? Do you want to live with your Dad?" "No," said the child, "he beats me." "Do you want to live with your Mom?" "No, she beats me too." "Well who do you want to live with?" "I want to live with a Semenholes Fan." Confused, the judge asked, "Why?" The child replied, "Because they never beat anybody that's good!"


Why couldn't FSU have a nativity scene this past Christmas?
They couldn't find three wise men.


Top 10 Classes taken by FSU football players:
1) Philosophy: Why Don't They Spell It with an "F" ?
2) Pre-Law Seminar: Age of Consent in 50 States
3) Sandwich Making: A Project Course
4) Hand-Shadow Workshop
5) Subtraction: Addition's Tricky Friend
6) Cliff's Notes vs. Monarch Notes: 2 Views of the Classics
7) Hooked on Phonics
8) The College Classroom: A Simulation
9) ABC's: An Extended Version
10) Literature: Coloring inside the lines


What are the toughest 6 years in a Nole's life?
3rd grade.


How many FSU freshmen does it take to change a lightbulb?
Zero, it is a sophomore course.


Why don't Noles use 911 in an emergency?
They can't find 11 on the dial.


Four alumni were climbing a mountain one day. Each was from a different Florida school and each proclaimed to be the most loyal of all fans. As they climbed higher, they argued as towhich one of them was the most loyal of all. They continued to argue all the way up the mountain, and finally as they reached the top, the Miami grad hurled himself off the mountain, shouting, "This is for Miami! Go Canes!" as he fell to his doom. Not wanting to be outdone, the USF grad threw himself off the mountain proclaiming, "This is for South Florida! Let's Go Bulls!" Seeing this, the Florida grad walked over and shouted, "This is for everyone!" and pushed the Nole off the side of the mountain.


Why do FSU grads hang their diplomas in the rear windows of their cars?
So they can park in handicapped spaces.


What's the difference between a Nole and a dollar bill?
You only get three quarters out of a Nole.





After Bobby Bowden dies and enters the Pearly Gates, God takes him on a tour.

He shows Bobby a little two-bedroom house with a faded FSU banner hanging from the front porch. "This is your house, coach. Most people don't get their own houses up here," God says. Bobby looks at the house, then turns around and looks at the one sitting on top of the hill.

It's a huge two-story mansion with white marble columns and little patios under all the windows. Gator flags line both sides of the sidewalk and a huge Gator banner hangs between the marble columns. "Thanks for the house, God. But let me ask you a question. I get this little two-bedroom house with a faded banner and Urban Meyer gets a mansion with new Gator banners and flags flying all over the place. Why is that?" God looks at him seriously for a moment. "That's not Urban's house," God says. "That's mine."


What do you call a drug ring in Tallahassee?
the huddle


What do FSU Grads call UF Grads?
BOSS


How do you get to Tallahassee from Ft. Myers?
Go north 'til you smell it, west 'til you step in it





"Some guys play for the BCS Championship, some guys play in the Emerald Bowl".
-- Urban Meyer





A Nole and a Volunteer walk into a bar, the Volunteer asks the Nole, "What does FSU mean?", he says, "Florida Stomped Us". The Nole asked the Vol what UT means and he said, "Us Too."


This Recruit is visiting 3 coaches, Bobby Bowden, Randy Shannon, and Urban Meyer. He goes to Miami to Visit with Randy Shannon first, about halfway through the interview he notices this golden telephone on the counter, and says, "What is that telephone for?" Coach Shannon says, "It's a direct link to heaven, you want to make a call?" the recruit says "Sure, does it cost anything?" Randy says "$50 it's a steal, whatta ya say?" Recruit says, "nah, I'll wait". He moves on to Tallahassee next to talk with Bobby, and he notices that same telephone, and says, "Is that a direct link to heaven?" Bobby says, "Why yes, you want to make a call? only 35 bucks." Recruit says, "nah, I'll wait". Finally, he makes it to Gainesville to speak with Urban, and he notices that SAME telephone, and asks "Is that a direct link to heaven?" Urban says,"= "Yeah, you want to make a call, its free" Recruit says, "Free? I don't get it, I visited Randy, and he said it was $50, and Bobby said it was $35, why is it free here?" ,Urban answers smuggly, "Because here in Gainesville, It's a local call my boy".


What do you have with 32 FSU cheerleaders in a room?
A full set of teeth


Why can't the Seminole player get into a huddle on the field anymore? It's a parole violation for him to associate with known felons.


What is the one thing Bobby Bowden ALWAYS brings to Gainesville?




But I'll give the Noles one thing. Jenn the Cowgirl.



on 2nd thought. We got Erin Andrews. And hers are real.

College Football Week 12 Wrap Up

The upsets are back! The upsets are back! Who wants to be #2 in the country? Not I.


#1 LSU's got this thing about them. They don't have to outgain you. They don't have to play exceptionally well. They don't have to look like the #1 team in the country. They just have to win, and win they do. The took their show on the road to Ole Miss this week against the one time Tennessee Volunteer QB Brent Shaeffer. The star of the game was the little guy. Trindon Holliday ran a kickoff 98 yards to the house, making a couple moves, in just over 13 seconds. The Tigers won 24-41 despite being outgained 466-396. A bigger story might be that the Bayou Bengals gave up 466 yards to the Rebels.


#2 Oregon felt that number 2 doo doo voodoo on Thursday night. They started out looking like they were going to trounce Arizona. This was the game Dennis Dixon proved why he was the Heisman frontrunner. All the talks of Dennis Dixon's knee being bad were put to rest when he scampered 39 yards on 4th down for the first score of the game. The next Ducks drive, Oregon was down deep in the red zone and Dizon hit a reciever in the chest, and it popped up in the air, and was intercepted. The drive after that, Dixon was scrambling out to his left, went to cut up field, and fell to the ground. Uh oh. He tore his ACL and is out for the season. It wasn't until they said the name of Oregon's back up QB that I knew they had no chance. It was Brady Leaf. As in Ryan Leaf's brother. As in "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, ALRIGHT?" RYAN LEAF! Oh, and Ryan Leaf was there on the sidelines to cheer little brother on. At one point, they interviewed him and asked something like "don't you wish you could just get in there and help him out?" To which I thought, "Yeah right. Nobody in their right mind wants Ryan Leaf anywhere near their football team." What a stupid question." Anyways, Arizona won 34-24 and ruined Oregon's national title hopes.


#3 Kansas keeps taking care of busniess. They beat up on poor little Iowa State 45-7. Todd Reesing keeps proving he needs his name in the Heisman talks, going 21/26 for 253 4 TDs/0 INTs.


#4 Oklahoma caught that upset bug on Saturday, too. They just got beat up. The Sooners lost their QB, Sam Bradford, early in the game, and could have cost them, but Texas Tech did most of their scoring in the first half, anyways. Texas Tech is one of those teams that will murder you if you can't defend the pass for 4 quarters. Red Raiders QB Graham Harrel threw the ball 72 times. That's how many times some teams throw the ball in 3 games. Sooners fall 34-27.


#5 Missouri did their part in keeping the upcoming game with Kansas a beast. They will be playing in Arrowhead Stadium instead of the Jayhawks regular stadium, as the powers that be anticipate many more fans than seats in Lawrence. But Mizzou QB Chase Daniel tore it up, going 28/41 for 283 with 4 TDs/0 INTs. Tigers' freshman Jeremy Maclin set an all time NCAA record for total yards by a freshman. He had 360 total yards including 143 receiving yards with 2 TDs and 194 kick return yards with a 99 yard run back for a score. Look for this kid to keep demolishing the competition for at least a couple more years in Tiger land, and make a name for himself in the future on Sundays.


Pat White, of #6 West Virginia is a beast. He really is. He doesn't have to throw for a whole lot of years, but he's efficient. He doesn't HAVE to run for a whole lot of yards. He just chooses to. The Mountaineers went on the road to take on #22 Cincinnati this week in what was a look out game for the boys from Morgantown. Pat White threw for 140 yards and a pick, but ran for 155 and 2 scores in WV's 28-23 win.


The "biggest rivalry" in college football had one of it's ugliest games on Saturday. #7 Ohio State went to the Big House to take on #21 Michigan for the Big 10 title. I called weeks ago that Michigan would win this game because it would ruin Ohio State's chances of a national title. Well, we all know Illinois ruined that one last week, so my prediction was ruled null and void. Michigan combined for less than 100 yards of total offense. Michigan QB Chad Henne led the game in passing yards with 63. It was nasty. The game was won single handedly by Beanie Wells. He rushed for 222 yards and 2 TDs in the Buckeye's 14-3 win. They now have their tickets to the Rose Bowl punched. That is, unless things fall their way, and unfortunately they could, and they get a call from the BCS championship bowl where they will be destroyed.


#8 Airzona State was idle this week and plays USC on Thursday night.


#9 Georgia brought #23 Kentucky to town for a nice meeting between the hedges. The Dawgs running game has really started to shine ever since the Florida game. Freshman Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown combined for 197 yards and 2 TDs in this game. Dawgs won 24-13.


#10 Virginia Tech played host to Miami. No need for highlights. You already know who won. Va Tech rolls 44-14. The Canes suck, and I love it.


#11 USC was idle and plays Arizona State on Thursday night.


#12 Florida looked a little shakey early against Florida Atlantic. With a little over a minute left in the first half the score was 28-20 Gators. Then Tim Tebow hit Cornelius Ingram on a 26 yard pass with 9 seconds left to bring the score 35-20. The Gators would not allow a point in the second half, and went on to win 59-20. The Big news out of this game came from, who else, but Tim Tebow. He became the first person on the planet in D1 history to throw for 20 or more TDs and run for 20 or more TDs. As long as Darren McFadden doesn't run for 1,000 yards and 5 scores against LSU, I would say Mr. Tebow's got that Heisman on lock.


#13 Texas was idle this week.


So was #14 Virginia.


All #15 Clemson had to do was beat stumbling #17 Boston College and they were in the ACC championship game, and probably headed to the Orange Bowl. BS was having none of it. In what was a back and forth game, Matt Ryan hit Rich Gunnell for a 43 yard strike with 1:43 left in the game, and put the Eagles up for good, 20-17.


#16 Hawaii played Nevada and needed a FG with 11 seconds left to win. Colt Brennan only played a couple snaps, as he's still recovering from his concussion last week. He is currently tied with Ty Detmer for the career passing TDs record at 121.


#18 Boise State beat Idaho 58-14. The WAC is whack. We need not discuss this anymore. They would be bottom of the barrel teams in any major confrence in the country, including the ACC and confrence USA.



#19 Illinois needs to make t-shirts that read 'The Juice is loose!' Illini QB Juice Williams had another outstanding day against Northwestern. He went 15/23 for 220 yards with 1 TD/1 INT. He rushed for 136 yards and 2 TDs. The Fighting Zook's routed NW'ern 41-22.


#20 Tennessee welcomed Vanderbilt to Knoxville on Saturday. The Commodores did everything in their power to get the one win they need to become bowl eligable. Tennesse was down 24-9 going in to the 4th quarter. But, the Vols dropped a 16 spot in the final period to win 25-24


#24 UConn beat Syracuse 30-7. No surprise here. The Orange are terrible.


All I'm going to say about #25 Wisconsin's in over pathetic and embarrassing Minnesota is that the Badgers gave up 500 yards to a team who lost to North Dakota. Or was it North Dakita State? Either way, you get my point. (upon further review it was ND State. Horrible.)


New Top 5 Heisman Candidates

1. Tim Tebow, QB Florida
2-5. Doesn't matter.


New BCS Rankings

1. LSU 9-1
2. Oregon 8-1
3. Kansas 10-0
4. Oklahoma 9-1
5. Missouri 9-1
6. West Virginia 8-1
7. Ohio State 10-1
8. Arizona State 9-1
9. Georgia 8-2
10. Virginia Tech 8-2
11. USC 8-2
12. Florida 7-3
13. Texas 9-2
14. Virginia 9-2
15. Clemson 8-2
16. Hawaii 9-0
17. Boston College 8-2
18. Boise State 9-1
19. Illinois 8-3
20. Tennessee 7-3
21. Michigan 8-3
22. Cincinnati 8-2
23. Kentucky 7-3
24. Connecticut 8-2
25. Wisconsin 8-3



P.S. IT'S FLORIDA/florida state week. That means you already know what time it is. It's Great. To Be. A Florida Gator. I SAID...

College Football Week 11 Wrap Up

First, let's say we all know this is a bad year for Notre Dame football. There's no need to kick a man while he's down, but The Irish lost to a service Academy for the first time since 1944. They are now 1-9 and play Duke, who is also 1-9 on Saturday in a game that Duke has no business being anything more than a blow up doll for the Golden Domers to have their way with.


IT HAPPENED! IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

#1 Ohio State brought unranked Illinois to the horse shoe on Saturday afternoon in what they figured to be a warm up game for Michigan in the Big House next week. Problem is, Jim Tressel would rather walk in on his dog commiting suicide than a spread offense. It gives him nightmares, or at least it should. He can't figure it out to save his life. The Illini's QB, Juice Williams put himself on the top of my personal heroes list for the week. I thought Michigan would beat OSU next week because they had nothing else to play for, than ruining the Buckeye's season. But my boy Ron Zook said, "Don't worry BigSlim. I got you son." The game started out with OSU scoring on 2 plays and me going, "Oh, good. Dammit Ron Zook we can't count on you for anything, can we?" Then he called me and said "Watch this, and shut up." Illinois dialed up their own 2 play TD. Nice. After that, the Juice Williams show as in full effect. The Illinois QB went 12/22 for 140 yards and 4 TDs/0 INTs. His counterpart, Todd Boekman, went 13/23, 156 yards with 0 TDs/3 INTs. The big story of the game was the 4th quarter. Ohio State snapped the ball on offense 3 times in the 4th. Illinois kept the ball for the last 8+ minutes. They just drove down the field, going for it on a crucial 4th down around their own 30 yard line, in which OSU burned a timeout because they had 12 men on the field, while Illinois was in punt formation. During the break, Juice told the Zooker "Let's go for it. I'll get it." He did, and the rest is history. The final was 28-21. The only thing going on now is OSU is praying that Oregon goes to the BCS Championship, because if they play them in the Rose Bowl, that spread offense will expose them even more nastily than the Fightin' Zook's.


#2 LSU brought in Louisiana Tech to town and crushed them, like they should have. The creamed the Bulldogs, 58-10. Jacob Hester was the standout player in this game, going for 115 and a TD on only 11 carries.


#3 Oregon was idle this week and plays Arizona on Thursday night.


#4 Kansas took their show on the road to play in Stillwater against the Cowboys from Oklahoma State. Jayhawks sophomore QB Todd Reesing had a very solid day, going 27/40 for 308, 3 TDs/0 INTs. Kansas RB Brandon McAnderson also shined, again on Saturday. He stacked up 142 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs to go along with 27 receiving yards in the Kansas victory, 43-28. Personally, I think Kansas is thinking about jacking the Gators' swag. They're gonna try for titles in football and basketball. They probably won't succeed, but on the chance they do, I'm sayin you can't do it like the originals.


#5 Oklahoma welcomed punching bag Baylor to town, and showed their offensive firepower. Sooners QB Sam Bradford went 20/25 for 353, 3 TDs/1 INT. Demarco Murray went for 95 yards and 3 TDs in the Sooners 52-21 W.


The #6 Mizzou Tigers brought in the Aggies from Texas A&M in a game that had not 1, but 2 safeties. Missouri looked strong through the first half, but couldn't seem to put the Aggies away until late in the 4th. Tiger's QB Chase Daniel was outstanding, going 27/35 for 352 yards, 3 TDs/0 INTs. Jeremy Maclin led all receivers with 5 catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs in the Tigers defeat of A&M, 40-26.


#7 West Virginia played in those ugly all yellow, highlighter looking uni's on Thursday against Louisville in what was sure to be a game lacking defense. Brian Brohm, who was a Heisman Hopeful in the beginning of the year was trying to beat his exact opposite at QB, Pat White. He failed, again. White went 16/25 for 181 yards, 2 TDs/0 INTs. That's nothing special, but a Pat White type passing day. What separates the 2 are their rushing numbers. White went for 147 yards and the winning TD on a 50 yard scamper late in the 4th. The Mountaineers won 38-31.


#8 Boston College went from win and you're in The Game, to a two game losing streak. This time, the upsetting team was the Terps from Maryland, who also beat a ranked Rutgers earlier in the year. Matt Ryan threw for over 400 yards, and had 3 TDs, but it wasn't enough to hold off Maryland who piled on 472 yards of total offense in their 42-35 win.


#9 Arizona State was still mad coming off their loss at Oregon last week, and almost fell victim again Saturday to UCLA, who gave Notre Dame their only win of the season. In a game where no body stood out, the Sun Devils held off the Bruins, 24-20.


#10 Georgia brought in rival #18 Auburn for a meeting between the hedges. Dawgs QB Matt Stafford went 11/19 for 237 yards, 2 TDs/1 INT. Freshman RB Knowshon Moreno continued his recent dominance, going for 101 yards and 2 TDs. Auburn QB Brandon Cox threw 4 INTs, and the Tigers amounted for only 216 yards of total offense in the Georgia win, 45-20.



#11 Virginia Tech brought in the 'Noles on Saturday night. Bobby Bowden had never lost to Va Tech. The Noles were just coming off their win at then #2 BC. The Seminoles have that swarming, fast defense that was sure to give Hokies QB Tyrod Taylor fits. Not true. I was watching this game for a little while, and turned it when the Noles were down 20-6. A little while later, I turn back. Drew Weatherford is on the bench, and Christian Ponder led the Noles to the lead, 21-20. The 4th quarter was all VT though, and the Noles went down 40-21. Taylor was 10/15 for 204 yds, 2 TDs/1 INT. He also had 92 yards rushing and a TD to boot.


No Mike Hart and Chad Henne only playing in the first two series of the game proved to be costly for #12 Michigan. They went to Wisconsin, in what some pepople said was a sleeper game. Michigan knew that win or lose, they are playing for the Big 10 Championship and a spot in the Rose Bowl next week. So it wasn't a big deal if they lost. I think they were more worried about Mike Hart getting his rest so he can come back and play against Ohio State. Wisconsin took the W, 31-27.


#13 UConn proved to be a duck. Finally, in week 11, they were beat like the the Huskies of old. Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk went 21/33 for 276 yds, 3 TDs/0 INTs in the Bear Cats 27-3 romping.


#14 Texas is a second half team. There's no denying it. For the 3rd week in a row, they used the 4th quarter to put their opponent to sleep. Coming out of the half, the Horns were up only 28-20 against Texas Tech. They scored in the 3rd to bring the score to 35-20. In the 4th, both teams turned it on, but fortunately for Texas, they had the lead going in, and won the game, 59-43. Colt McCoy threw for 4 TDs while RB Jamaal Charles ran for 174 yards and a TD in the game.


#15 Florida was on upset alert, as they will be every time they play a Steve Spurrier coached team. Percy Harvin didn't make the trip to Columbia with a sinus infection and migraines. That didn't matter. Tim Tebow passed for over 300 yards and 2 TDs and ran for over 100 and a career high 5 rushing TDs. Tebow also broke Emmitt Smith's record for most rushing TDs in a season by a Gator at any position. Sneior Bubba Caldwell caught 11 passes for 148 yards and a touch in the 51-31 route of the Game Cocks.


#16 Hawaii QB Colt Brennan needed only 3 passing TDs to break the all time record, of 121 held by Ty Detmer. He got 2 trying it, and then got injured. Detmer's record is sure to be broken the next time Brennan takes the field. Hawaii beat Fresno State 37-30.


# 17 USC went to #24 Cal in what was a must win game in the Pac 10. The Trojans are easing John David Booty back in to the swing of things, as he only threw the ball 20 times. The story comes from the stable of RBs SC carries with them. Chauncey Washington broke out for 220 yards and a TD in the 24-17 win.


#19 Virginia listened to the football Gods before playing Saturday night. All fans of football in the south that aren't Cane fans were hoping for an embarrassment, and boy, what an embarrassment it was. The Orange Bowl was shut down on the worse home shutout in Miami history. I can't stop smiling as I'm writing this. I hate the Canes almost as much as I hate the Noles and Gayton Manning. Miami's defense, which is always 'so good' gave up more than 400 yards and 48 points in this glorious game. Canes lose 48-0 and drop a stinker in the dump that is (soon to be was) called The OB.


#20 Boise State beat Utah State 52-0. I hate Boise State. I wish they would go away. 11 of 12 teams in the SEC would straight embarrass them, and for some reason they are living off of last year. They're in the WAC and they're not undefeated. Is that not enough for them to be unranked?


#21 Clemson is inching closer to playing in the ACC championship game for a spot in that Orange Bowl. Tigers QB Cullen Harper went 27/35 for 266 yds, 3 TDs/0 INTs. Wake Forest could only manage 10 points in this 44-10 Tigers victory.


#22 Alabama got upset by Mississippi State for the second straight year. The only difference is this year, it makes the Bulldogs bowl eligable for the first time since 2000. Bama QB John Parker Wilson gave the game away with the clock ticking away in the first half. Bama was on the 2 yard line and looking to score, which would have put the Tide up 16-3 going in to the half. He threw an interception that was taken 100 yards to pay dirt. The Bull Dogs never looked back, and won the game 17-12.


#23 Penn State beat instate rival Temple 31-0. Lions QB Anthony Morelli went 22/33 for 260 with 3 TDs/1 INT. PSU running back Rodney Kinlaw ran the ball 27 times for 168 yards and a score.


#24 Tennessee contained Arkansas RB Darren McFadden as much as you could hope to. Run DMc ran 22 times for 117 yards and no scores in the Vols 34-13 victory over the Razorbacks.


In a game where nobody really stood out, #25 Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 27-20.



New Heisman Top 5:

Dennis Dixon, QB Oregon
Tim Tebow, QB Florida
Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
Pat White, QB West Virginia


New BCS Top 25

1. LSU 9-1
2. Oregon 8-1
3. Kansas 10-0
4. Oklahoma 9-1
5. Missouri 9-1
6. West Virginia 8-1
7. Ohio State 10-1
8. Arizona State 9-1
9. Georgia 8-2
10. Virginia Tech 8-2
11. USC 8-2
12. Florida 7-3
13. Texas 9-2
14. Virginia 9-2
15. Clemson 8-2
16. Hawaii 9-0
17. Boston College 8-2
18. Boise State 9-1
19. Illinois 8-3
20. Tennessee 7-3
21. Michigan 8-3
22. Cincinnati 8-2
23. Kentucky 7-3
24. Connecticut 8-2
25. Wisconsin 8-3

The Orange Bowl is Almost Gone!

Saturday, November 10 2007 will go down as one of the most glorious days in recent sports memory. The shittiest stadium ever constructed will hold it's last major athletic event.

I am talking about the infamous Orange Bowl, or OB, in Miami. It opened for play way back in 1937 and I have to imagine it was a terrible stadium even then. I mean, have you ever been there? It's the worst. So cramped that it's impossible to enjoy a game. So small a powerful high school program, like St. Thomas Aquinas, would feel disrespected to be asked to play there. It played home to the Dolphins until the opening of Joe Robbie Stadium (later re named Pro Player, then Dolphin Stadium) in 1987


It has hosted many memorable events such as:

Jan. 14, 1968 -- Vince Lombardi's final game as coach of the Green Bay Packers. They beat the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II, 33-14

Jan. 1, 1965 -- Joe Namath is stopped shy of the goal line on fourth down, and his Alabama Crimson Tide failed in their quest to deliver Paul "Bear" Bryant's fourth national championship, losing to Texas 21-17.

Jan. 12, 1969 -- Back at the Orange Bowl as a pro, Joe Namath delivers on his guarantee, as the New York Jets pull off a stunning 16-7 win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

Jan. 1, 1984 -- Miami wins its first national championship, beating Nebraska 31-30 after the Cornhuskers fail on a two-point conversion in the final minute.

Nov. 23, 1984 -- Hail Flutie. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie finds Gerard Phelan with a desperation pass on the final play of the game, giving the Eagles a stunning 47-45 win over Miami.

Oct. 14, 2006 -- Marring the first-ever meeting between Miami and Florida International, the teams brawl during the third quarter. In all, 31 players from the schools are sanctioned, including 18 from FIU. Miami won 35-0.





Despite all these great memories, the only ones I take away are the fans. That's not a good thing. Anyone who's ever been to a Miami game, and is not a Miami fan, knows that I'm talking about. It's as if you murdered every single one of their mothers. Don't walk by where the students wait to get in the game, if you're tailgating, even while wearing neutral colors. Anything not Orange and Green might as well be Garnet and Gold or Orange and Blue. Everyone is the enemy. You will be spit on, cursed at, have beer bottles thrown at you, some broken, some still containing beer. You will start to re evaluate the price you paid to go to the game. Was this even worth the trip down to Miami at all?


The memory that brings it together for me the most, is FSU at Miami in 2004. I got the tickets for free, so I can't complain about the cost. I went with a couple of my buddies who were students at FSU, and were there, obviously, to support the 'Noles. We had tickets near the Alumni section, so it was all mostly friendly shit talking through out the whole game. Towards the end, when it looked like FSU had the game under wraps, a guy who proclaimed himself to be off duty Miami-Dade PD came up to us and said "Hey guys, I just want to thank you for keeping it civil. I'm a cop and a lot of times people get rowdy, and out of control. You guys got us this year, but you know how it goes. Fuck Florida State," and headed back to his seat. He was obviously drunk out of his skull, but we thought 'hey, finally, a decent drunk Miami fan. We better not hold our breath for another one.'

Then, with 30 seconds left, Sinorice Moss caught a 30 TD from Brock Berlin, and the game was headed for OT.

Then, in OT Chris Rix fumbled on the Seminoles first possession. Frank Gore ran in for a TD and the game was over.

The same cop who thanked us for being civil then decided to show his face again. This time, it wasn't so pretty. A shirt that was being sold at FSU before the game read Muck Fiami, which one of my boys was wearing. It being Florida in September it was at least 400 degrees outside, so the shirt was off and over the shoulder at this point. Well, this guy comes down in typical Cane fan fashion and starts yelling and being retarded. He grabs the shirt off my boy's shoulder, wipes his ass with it (not really, but made the motion) and then threw it. Then, he snatched the hat off the same kid's head, and threw that. This almost turned in to a brawl, because my boy was on some 'I'm no bitch. Fuck him, he owes me money for that shirt and that hat, and I'm takin it out of his ass' type shit.

We quickly reminded him that while we had his back, the odds were impossible, and we should just chalk it up as an L and keep it moving.

That said. Fuck the Orange Bowl. There's no parking, it's in the middle of the one of the most dirty neighborhoods, Little Havana (sorry, but it is fuckin dirty) in all of Miami. The seating is terrible, the stadium was outdated 40 years ago, and I can't wait to watch them blow it up.

So, There's This Kid in Seattle

His name is Kevin Durant. Maybe you've heard of him. You know, the 18 year old 6 foot 9 string bean that plays basketball? The collegiate player of the year? The first freshman to ever win it, ever? The number two pick in the '07 NBA draft?


Well, on Halloween, he played his first NBA game in Denver against a playoff team with two superstars and the defending defensive player of the year. He looked like a dear in the headlights. He shot a miserable 9-29 (.286) from the field and had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 33 minutes.


This wasn't his first college game, scoring 20 points in 22 minutes against Alcorn State. Back then he wasn't being PAID to play. It was still just a game, and not his job.


He looked scared. He should have been. I mean, it's a big deal to be the number 2 player taken out of every single available person for the league. All eyes are on him, with the #1 pick, Greg Oden out for the year. It's a big deal to be 18 years old and playing for a 4 million dollar paycheck. It's a big deal to have to perform in order to keep those endorsement deals coming in.


Since that first game, he hasn't been on TV, so my judgements are based on the highlights only. But he's changed that look. He looks like it clicked for him. It looks like someone told him, "hey bruh..it's still only basketball."


His scoring has gone up to 24 points a game, he's averaging 6 rebounds a game, and his shooting percentage has increased in every game this year. The Sonics are still winless, but they only lost to 7 to the Suns, which shows hope. They are one of the youngest teams in the league. The team average in age is the same as the starting five, which is only 25. Durant, the team's leader in points per game, is 7 years away from that. Which is scary. Stupid scary.


The team is going nowhere but up. It's oldest starter is 28. They play in the west, which is, of course, the stronger of the confrences. They probably won't amount to much this year. But building a franchise isn't a one year deal. Ask the Bulls. They are currently building a franchise. That is, if they dont trade their investments for Kobe Bryant. That's not smart business, and is another topic in itself. If you put the right pieces together and let them mold, you will build a product that competitive season in and season out. Which the Sonics have the players to accomplish in a couple years.


I don't want to do an entire blog on the Bulls/Kobe thing, so I'll just throw it in down here. The Bulls would be stupid to trade for Kobe. The Lakers won't accept less than Ben Gordon and/or Luol Deng and number of other young talent. That doesn't make sense for the Bulls. If you look at these players like stock, it's selling your stocks that have unlimited potential low to get one high stock, that can't get much higher.

The pieces of the puzzle you'll have to give up to get Bryant would leave you atop the east, but without the depth or fire power to compete with the top teams in the west. Without being able to compete with them, you are unable to beat them. Which means no trophy. Which means you blew your future for nothing.

Should the Pats get the * Treatment?

Thanks to Don Shula, the whole world is now asking the question, "If the Patriots go undefeated, should they get an asterisk?"

We all know Shula was the head coach of the '72 Dolphins who were the last team to go unbeaten. He said, "The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished...You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it...I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Now, I'm really torn on this subject. A part of me says they were caught cheating, point blank, period. If they do it, it deserves an asterisk.

Another part of me says they were caught in the first half, of the first game of the year, against a team who's record is now 1-8, and their only win came against the win less Dolphins. The Patriots won that game 38-14. If you take away the Patriots first half scoring, and kept the Jets first half scoring, the Patriots still win the game 24-14.

Obviously the league is looking for the Pats to repeat, and they're not stupid enough to do so. Do you really think the Patriots would have lost to the Jets without video taping them?

That's like if they catch A-Rod with a corked bat after hitting 2 HRs the first week of the season, they suspend him for 15 games, he comes back and breaks the single season home run record by 5. Like yeah he was caught, but take away the homers he hit with with the corked bat, and he still breaks the record.


I could honestly understand if there is an asterisk attached to the record, if the Pats go undefeated, but that just sucks for them. They are guilty, and there's no denying it. But again, if you take away the one half of one game they were in violation, they are still undefeated to date.


I can understand more if someone wants to say the past championships are tainted because you just don't know if they were cheating then or not. You have to assume they were because they were caught cheating. And you cheat until you get caught.

Are the 07' Pats the best team of this decade, and maybe ever? Sure looks that way now. But let's wait it out and see if they even go undefeated first before we get in to all this asterisk talk. I mean, they still have to play the Steelers who aren't looking bad. They have to play the Giants the last week of the season, when New England could have the back ups in, with home field secured and New York playing for the division title with Dallas.



Also, let me add this. Sure the Dolphins went undefeated in '72. They were a great team. But they only played 14 games. And their schedule consisted of 2 games against teams who finished the year over .500.

The Pats play the Bills twice, who could very well finish over .500, the Chargers who are currently 4-4 and have LT on their team, the Browns who are currently over .500, The Cowboys, the Colts, Steelers, and Giants all who will finish over .500

The MLB GM's Are Trying...

...to get it right.

On Tuesday, the 30 GM's voted on a proposal to bring instant replay in to baseball. The vote was yes 25 to 5.

They understand that it shouldn't be used for every little thing. It's going to be used on home runs. Did the ball clear the fence, or hit the top and bounce off? Did a fan reach just over the fence and grab the ball? Also, for those potential HR balls that end up within inches, either way, of the foul pole.

To be finalized, MLB commissioner, Bud Selig, look over the vote, and either give the nod or deny the GMs the right to come up with an official proposal. Then, Selig would have to approve along with the Player's Association.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig has said for years he's not a supporter of instant replay because it would slow the game and take the game out of the hands of the umpires.

I always thought that was a dumb comment. Yes, you want the game to be handled by umpires. But you want them to be right. You want a potential season changing call to be the right one. And how long would it really take? As long as when the catcher comes to the mound, then all members of the infield, then the pitching coach? It would be shorter than that. Or would it take as long as it does for the coach to come out and argue the call? I don't think so.

It wouldn't be that big of a break in the game, especially if you do it like in college football, where the refs don't make the decision. A replay judge has access to every angle coming from the broadcast would put in the call that the play needs to be reviewed, and would take a minute to sort out.

You don't want the umpires going under the hood like the NFL refs. That takes too long. Even on obvious calls, it takes them two minutes to go over, check the tape, double check the tape, confer with another official upstairs and all the other steps. In college, the Ref throws on a pair of headphones and they say "reverse the call. put x amount of time on the clock. the ball should be placed on the __ yard line. 2nd down, 6 to go."

In baseball, they would throw on the headphones and hear "It was a home run. the score is now 7-4." or "No home run. Ground rule double, one run scored, men on 2nd and 3rd. 1 out." If it was a foul ball, it would be "No home run. Send runners back to 1st and 2nd. The count is now 2-2 and there is 1 out." Or "Fan interference. Ground rule double. Runner on 2nd, 2 runs score. Still 2 outs."


At the end of the day, it's all about making the right call. You don't accept a wrong call when it's obvious, so you shouldn't accept it when it's close.

I just hope Selig comes around, and the GMs get the proposal right.

Maybe Next Year, Pacman

Well, Adam 'Pacman' Jones was notified by commish Goodell that his suspension must be paid in full. That means he's done until the Titans season is over. Once that happens, he's allowed to show face at team facilities again. This comes after being suspended for the season, but Roger Goodell said he would review it after the team's 10th game, and that Pacman could "do the right thing, and earn his way back to the field."

I'm not so sure I'm buying that. That Goodell was going to review it, or that Pacman could have done anything, besides rescue children from a burning orphanage, for his suspension to be lightened.

For one, the commish said he would review after the team's 10th game. Well, week 9 was just wrapped up about 24 hours ago, and there were no games played today. They had their bye week in week 4, meaning the team's 10th game wouldn't come until week 11. Two weeks shy of the decision.

Pacman had done everything to deserve a suspension, though maybe not one for the whole year.

Bengals WR Chris Henry was suspended for 8 games and he was convicted, on two separate charges. Pacman has never been found guilty of anything. Accused of and charged with an outlandish number of infractions of the law, but all cases are either pending, have been dropped, or have been dismissed.

The big charge is with his involvement during the NBA All Star weekend that we all are familiar with. If you're not familiar with it, look it up.

After that, he's just put himself in a number of positions to look stupid. He went to the strip club the night before a meeting with Commissioner Goodell. He joined TNA wrestling, even when the Titans told him it would be a violation of his contract to do so.

The Titans have been smart about their unfortunate situation. They didn't expect Pacman to be back this year, and I really don't think they are planning on him being around after this year for long, if at all.


With all that being said, the reason I'm writing this is to say that Roger Goodell made a bitch move.

I understand you suspending him for a year, because you're cracking down on player conduct and he's enemy number one. I really do understand. What I'm not up on is how Chris Henry didn't get the same treatment. I mean I know he hasn't been accused of as many things as Pacman, but the conviction ration is 2:0 Henry to Pacman.

Why would you say you "promised to review the suspension following the team's 10th game," and then make your decision prior to the team's 9th game? That's not fair to him, his fans, his team, or his teammates. Why would you give false hope? I don't think he's done enough to be lifted off suspension, because he's got a "what are you REALLY gonna do, kick me out of the league?" type attitude. That sucks, because I know that you, the commish, wouldn't even think twice about kicking him out of the league. Pacman's on the LAST chance he's going to get from the head of the league, and it's almost like he doesn't see that. But still, couldn't you have at least waited until after their 10th game? I understand that you really didn't even want to think about reviewing the suspension. You should have just said so. You should have just said "he's suspended for a year, end of story."

That sir, is super lame.

College Football Week 10 Wrap Up

First and foremost, let's all congradulate Navy. The Midshipmen snapped a 44 year, 43 game losing streak to Notre Dame. Charlie Weis gets the bonehead coach of the year award. 4th and 8 with 30 seconds left in the game, ball on the Navy 24, and he goes for it, instead of kicking the go ahead FG. That obviously came back to haunt him in (triple) OT.


#1 Ohio State played host to those pesky Badgers of #21 Wisconsin in what was sure to be a Big 10 test. Well, someone forgot to tell the world that the Big 10 is horrible. Screw all their top 25 teams. They are weak, son. Weak. That being said, the Buckeyes took a tie game in to the 4th quarter, at which time, they reminded Beanie Wells he was playing football. They dropped 21 and called it a game, 38-17. Wells ran for 169 yards and 3 TDs in the game.


What is it about #2 this year? There's something about that 2 slot that makes teams falter. On Saturday, It was Boston College's turn. It was one of those games that had me saying "BC is gonna come back, just like they did last week. 'Matty Heisman' will do his thug thizzle right here." Then, down 3, with a little over a minute to go, he put the lid on their Title hopes by throwing a Pick 6 to Geno Hayes. The Noles defense proved timely, and had 3 INTs, including Hayes' on the day. The 'Noles took the W, in the rain, in Boston, 27-17.


One of the best games of the weekend featured a #3 LSU team visiting #17 Nick Saban coached Alabama. We all know Saban used to coach at LSU, so needless to say, there was some pre existing hostility coming in to this game. Early in the 2nd, The Tigers had taken a 17-3 lead and the game looked out of hand. Then Bama woke up, and went in to the half carrying a 20-17 lead. They came out in a slow 3rd, and extended their lead to 27-17. LSU answered in less than a minute, bringing the score to 27-24. They tied the game early in the 4th. Then Bama's Javier Arenas returned a punt 61 yard to the house, giving the Tide the lead back 34-27. LSU answered with an Early Doucet score knotting the game at 34. Then with only 1:24 to go, sure handed Jacob Hester ran the ball in from 1 yard out, giving the Tigers the W, 41-34.


The Game of the Week featured an undefeated #4 Arizona State on the road at one loss #5 Oregon, in a Pac-10, national title make or break match up. this was a make or break game for Heisman Hopefull Dennis Dixon, and he shined. The Ducks scored 5 TDs (4 by Dixon) and their longest drive was only 3:36 long. That's proof that they can strike and strike quickly. That spells danger for every opponent. Dixon was hurt late in the game, but was on the sidelines jumping around, and could have come back in, but they were up 35-16 so there wasn't a need for him to. The final was 35-23 Ducks, spoiling the Sun Devils bid at a National Title.


#6 Oklahoma welcomed disappointing Texas A&M in to town on Saturday and left Sooner Nation smiling. Freshman QB Sam Bradford continued to show he's the future by going 21/30 for 284, 5 TDs/0 INTs, 4 of which went to Jermiane Gresham. The Sooners won 42-14, though the last Aggie TD came with less than a minute left in the game. The boys from Norman kept their hopes alive for the national title, though they, like a number of other teams, need some things to happen.


#7 West Virginia was off this week, and plays Louisville next week.


Here is your surprise team of the year. #8 Kansas. They put up 76 on Nebraska. Now, this isn't your average Nebraska team, but still. Teams don't put up 76 on D1AA school. A name you might not recognize is Todd Reesing. He's the Jayhawk's QB. He went 30/41 for 354, 6 TDs/0 INTs. That's a day. And it's not like the Kansas doesn't have a running game, either. Brandon McAnderson put up 119 yards and 4 TDs of his own. This was the definition of a pounding. Nebraska, you need to wake up. You let KANSAS drop 76. That's a pride thing. Right now, in Lincoln, there's none of it. Jayhawks roll 76-39.


#9 Missouri should have been worried going in to Boulder to play Colorado. Ask Oklahoma. Tigers QB Chase Daniel had a big day going 26/44 for 421 5 TDs/1 INT. Mizzou rolls, 55-10. They travel to Kansas the last game of the year in which they could play spoiler role for the Jayhawks.


Troy is on the rise. They really are. Unfortunately, they're just not quite there yet. They played between the hedges at #10 Georgia on Saturday night, and had themselves in the game, even in the 4th quarter. Knowshon Moreno's 3rd TD of the day with 6:32 left sealed the deal, and the Dawgs won 44-34. Moreno rushed for 196 yds and 3 scores on 26 touches.



#11 Va Tech went to the ATL to take on the Ga Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday night. Now, something interesting happened. Some of the VT jersey's came up missing and several players, including starting QB Sean Glennon, had to wear modified Yellow Jacket jerseys. They blacked out the team name with a magic marker, wrote their own names on the back with a Sharpie, and even went as far as to draw on their own Nike checks. Fortunate for them, the uniform malfunction didn't have any outcome on the game. The Jacket's QBs didn't help the cause either, throwing 5 INTs. Hokies rolled 27-3.


#12 Michigan vs Michigan State was all it was cracked up to be. State had a 10 point lead with less than 7 minutes left in the game. But Chad Henne drove the Wolverines 79 yards in only 53 seconds to make it a 3 point game. Mario Manningham caught his 2nd TD of the game in what was the game winner, making the score 28-24. I'll say this again. I THINK MICHIGAN WILL BEAT OHIO STATE. Really, I do. Honestly. I mean, what else do they really have to play for?


Could #13 UConn be for real? I mean, they ARE UConn. Right? They are the best team you REALLY never heard of. Not USF. You heard of USF. They beat West Virginia last year. But you really weren't even sure UConn had a football team. But they do. And they're good. They brought Rutgers to town, and gave them the business. Making the Scarlet Knights leave empty handed and heavy hearted with the Huskies posting a 38-19 W.


#14 Hawaii was off this week.


#15 Texas needed every single one of the 24 4th quarter points to pull out the win at OK State. Longhorns RB put 124 of his 180 rushing yards up in the 4th along with 2 of his 3 scores. QB Colt McCoy also had over 100 yards rushing to go with his 282 passing yards. Longhorns pull out a squeaker, in the 4th, for the 2nd week in a row 38-35.


#16 Auburn welcomed Tennessee Tech to town, and weren't very gracious hosts. They put the smack down 35-3, as 2 different Tigers QBs threw for TDs. Other than that, this game wans't all that pretty.


#18 South Florida lost its 3rd straight game on Saturday to Cincinnati. The Bulls had 8 turnovers and allowed 31 points in the first quarter of a close loss. UFS QB Matt Grothe didn't even come on to the field until there was 8:30 left in the first and the score was already 14-10 USF thanks to a pick 6 and a kickoff return to the house. Well, the Bulls went 3 and out, got the punt blocked and recovered for a TD. Then the Bulls were driving, and the Bearcats had their own pick 6, this one 79 yards. When all was said and done, the dust settled and the Bulls were left teary eyed, 38-33.


#19 USC welcomed QB John David Booty back to action as they brought the Beavers of Oregon State to L.A. Booty threw for 2 TDs as the Trojans romped the Beav's 24-3.


The #20 Gators got back on track, as they came back to the Swamp for the first time since the last week in September. They took on a solid Vanderbilt team, who doesn't give up many points on defense. Except this week. Tim Tebow put his Superman cape back on, as he went 22/27 for 281 3 TDs/1 INT to go along with his 2 rushing TDs on only 6 carries. At one point, he busted off a nice run and put a licking on a Vandy safety, got up, hit his right shoulder 3 times and gave the OK sign, letting the entire world know that he's back in tip top form. Percy Harvin rushed for 113 yds and 2 TDs and caught 9 balls for 110 yards. The Gators romped Vandy 49-22.


#22 Boise State finally didn't play on a Sunday, and still won. They brought San Jose State to town and won 42-7. I hate the WAC. Who do they play? I could put a squad of grandmothers together and beat San Jose State.


#23 Virginia and #24 Wake Forest met up for an ACC showdown. It was exactly that. A showdown. A defensive showdown, but a showdown none the less. The Cavaliers won 17-16.


#25 Clemson took on pathetic Duke. They won 47-10. James Davis rushed for 118 and a touch on only 8 carries. On a side note, Duke plays at Notre Dame in a couple of weeks in what should be a good game. That's so sad to say. Notre Dame, you suck.



New Heisman Top 5:

Dennis Dixon, QB Oregon
Tim Tebow, QB Florida
Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
Pat White, QB West Virginia
Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas (who had 323 rushing yards on saturday. 323!)



New BCS Standings

1. Ohio State
2. LSU
3. Oregon
4. Kansas
5. Oklahoma
6. Mizzou
7. West Virginia
8. Boston College
9. Arizona State
10. Georgia
11. Va Tech
12. Michigan
13. UConn
14. Texas
15. Florida
16. Hawaii
17. USC
18. Auburn
19. Virginia
20. Boise State
21. Clemson
22. Alabama
23. Penn State
24. Tennessee
25. Kentucky

I'm with you, Barry.

In an interview with MSNBC last night, Barry Bonds said he would boycott the Hall of Fame if they accepted his record breaking home run ball, and it has an asterisk.

The reason is could have an asterisk is because fashion mogul Mark Ecko bought the ball via an auction. He then had a poll on his website for the fans to chose what to do with the ball. The options were to donate it to the Hall as is, donate it to the Hall branded with an asterisk, or blast it in to outer space.

Next is Bonds quotes from the interview...kinda long, but worth reading. My thoughts are below.

Bonds said, "I won't go. I won't be part of it. You can call me, but I won't be there. I don't think you can put an asterisk in the game of baseball, and I don't think that the Hall of Fame can accept an asterisk. You cannot give people the freedom, the right to alter history. You can't do it. There's no such thing as an asterisk in baseball. I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Never. Barry Bonds will not be there. That's my emotions now. That's how I feel now. When I decide to retire five years from now, we'll see where they are at that moment. We'll see where they are at that time, and maybe I'll reconsider. But it's their position and where their position will be will be the determination of what my decision will be at that time. I have nothing to hide. I have said that before and I will say it now and I will look you in the face. I have nothing to hide, nothing. So look all you want to."


I'm with you, big fella. Who the hell does Mark Ecko think he is? He has no right to shit on history like that. As much speculation as there is, it's just that. Speculation, and nothing more.

Barry, you're 100% right that the game of baseball doesn't have an asterisk. There wasn't an asterisk next to Roger Maris' single season home run record, even though the number of games jumped from 154, when Babe Ruth held the record, to 162 when Marris broke it. instead, there's a story next to the ball in the Hall of Fame.

Second, let it be pointed out that Barry Bonds has never once, ever, failed a drug test. He hasn't tested positive for steroids once, ever. Is he an ass to the media? Yup. Does that mean he's a cheater? Nope.

"But come on, Mike. You KNOW he's done it."

No I don't. You see, I don't actually know Barry Bonds and haven't seen him getting juiced. Neither do you. And since he hasn't failed a test, you have to assume he's innocent.

Think about this. They've been trying to prove he's on steroids for at least 5 years. And they haven't. They've been digging and digging, and still nothing. About a year ago, they were even talking about tax evasion. It's a whole ordeal just to make Barry Bonds look bad. I'm not buying it.

Looking at his stats, there's only one year, 2001 that looks any kind of out of wack. But he's not allowed to be hot for a year? Well, let's take out that 73 home runs from 2001. Let's take the aveage of the year before and the year after (49 in 2000, and 46 in 2002.) That's 47.5. We'll take it down to 47 for argument's sake. That puts him at 736 right now. That's only 21 away from the record. Assuming he plays another year, as a designated hitter, and hits his average HR over the last 2 years (26), he would have broken it next year anyways.

But you can't say that, because he never failed a test. So, the record stands, untainted in any way, in my eyes.

Barry Bonds is THE Home Run king.