NCAA FINAL FOUR PREDICTIONS
There are many ways to pick which team you think could win this weekends Final Four with all team seemingly so evenly paired. So I took it as my duty to create some ways to help make this choice easier on you the fan.
The match-ups consist of Memphis vs UCLA in the first game and North Carolina and Kansas in the night cap. Here are some simple ways you can decide who you will be cheering for as these teams take the court tonight.
TEAM COLORS:
UCLA – True Blue and Gold
Memphis – Blue and Gray
North Carolina – Carolina Blue and White
Kansas – KU Blue, KU Signature Gray, KU Crimson and Jayhawk Yellow
WINNER: University of North Carolina
Anytime your entire state has a color that is pretty powerful. What is up with Kansas trying to take over Crayola with all those colors?
TEAM MASCOT:
UCLA – Bruins
Memphis – Tigers
North Carolina – Tar Heels
Kansas – Jayhawks
WINNER: UCLA
This is a tough one because none of them are all that great. What exactly is a Tarheel? According to the school themselves no one really knows. Tigers and Jayhawks are pretty common. However Memphis does have a live Tiger (Tom II), which could have swayed my vote if he had at some point mauled someone during a sporting event in recent history. So I will go with UCLA Bruins, although their actually mascot looks like a pansy.
CENTER COURT LOGO:
UCLA – Pretty plain, simple says “UCLA”
Memphis – A large “M” with a Tiger
North Carolina – The state of North Carolina
Kansas – The Largest Jayhawk you will ever see.
WINNER: Kansas
How could you not like how ridiculously large that logo is at half court?!
BEST COEDS:
This is a more of a “look for yourself” type part.
UCLA – Dance team , nice
Memphis – Seem like the party type
North Carolina – "Girls of the ACC cover girl" Evelyn Gery
Kansas – "Girls of the Big XII" Jennifer Whalen
WINNER: UCLA dance team seems to have all the right moves.
As for my picks, I’m going with Memphis and UNC tonight and UNC on Monday. I would love to see UCLA and Kansas both win especially UCLA since that would help me out financially (wink). I just think that both UNC and Memphis are too fast and high-powered for the other two teams. If they both win it could make for a fun Championship Monday evening.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Going Pro in Something Other Than Common Sense
-There are over 380,000 NCAA Students athletes, and just about all of them will be going pro in something other than sports.
If you have watched college athletics on television over the past few years I’m sure you have heard this tagline after nearly every commercial for the NCAA at least once or twice.
Now, I know that the NCAA stands for National Collegiate Athletic Association, and their focus is to be what is best for the student athletes. I won’t get into what a joke I believe that is considering how much money the NCAA makes off of the athletes. However I did not know that while looking out for what is best for the student athletes and helping them “go pro in something other than sports,” it does the opposite for the rest of the student body, the non-athletes.
March 17th the NCAA announced that no schools in the NCAA Tournament would be allowed to have their university run radio stations broadcast the games. The same stations that have broadcast most of the games this season for UCLA and North Carolina (home games only for Memphis and Kansas) will not be allowed to travel and broadcast the games this March. Why you may ask, money, greed, stupidity, you chose.
The NCAA has a contract with Westwood One for all right to any Internet broadcasts for the NCAA Tournament through its agreement with CBS sports. Whether or not the NCAA ever thought this could be an issue, we will never know, but between Westwood One and the NCAA, they are preventing non-student athletes in preparing themselves to “go pro in something other than sports.”
The most listeners EVER for a broadcasted game on UCLAradio.com were 500. That occurred last fall for the UCLA-USC football game. Do you really think that 500 people NOT listening to the Westwood One feed will hurt their rating much? It must affect it more than I would think considering that UCLAradio.com was able to broadcast every game last year in the NCAA Tournament including a semifinal loss to eventual champion Florida in the Final Four.
I understand that technically Westwood One does have the rights to do as they please, but the right thing to do here is let the students call the game. Westwood One would never notice in the ratings and these kids would get to take part in an experience that would great as they move forward in the careers “going pro in something other than sports.”
If you have watched college athletics on television over the past few years I’m sure you have heard this tagline after nearly every commercial for the NCAA at least once or twice.
Now, I know that the NCAA stands for National Collegiate Athletic Association, and their focus is to be what is best for the student athletes. I won’t get into what a joke I believe that is considering how much money the NCAA makes off of the athletes. However I did not know that while looking out for what is best for the student athletes and helping them “go pro in something other than sports,” it does the opposite for the rest of the student body, the non-athletes.
March 17th the NCAA announced that no schools in the NCAA Tournament would be allowed to have their university run radio stations broadcast the games. The same stations that have broadcast most of the games this season for UCLA and North Carolina (home games only for Memphis and Kansas) will not be allowed to travel and broadcast the games this March. Why you may ask, money, greed, stupidity, you chose.
The NCAA has a contract with Westwood One for all right to any Internet broadcasts for the NCAA Tournament through its agreement with CBS sports. Whether or not the NCAA ever thought this could be an issue, we will never know, but between Westwood One and the NCAA, they are preventing non-student athletes in preparing themselves to “go pro in something other than sports.”
The most listeners EVER for a broadcasted game on UCLAradio.com were 500. That occurred last fall for the UCLA-USC football game. Do you really think that 500 people NOT listening to the Westwood One feed will hurt their rating much? It must affect it more than I would think considering that UCLAradio.com was able to broadcast every game last year in the NCAA Tournament including a semifinal loss to eventual champion Florida in the Final Four.
I understand that technically Westwood One does have the rights to do as they please, but the right thing to do here is let the students call the game. Westwood One would never notice in the ratings and these kids would get to take part in an experience that would great as they move forward in the careers “going pro in something other than sports.”
Monday, March 10, 2008
Nice To See She Has Moved On
I have just learned that my first celebrity crush is now married and just gave birth to her first child. Now while most boys my age had the Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Jenny McCarthy crushes, I went for someone not as well known and much more my age. It happened during the summer of 1996 and the Atlanta Olympics. My first crush was Dominique Moceanu.
Now most people may have thought it was funny or cute, but looking back on the “crush” it was more like psychotic. I should really question the friendship of anyone who let me do the things I did during this phase of my life. I hope I was at least able to entertain everyone who watched from a distance as this “crush” developed.
It all started while reading the Sports Illustrated Summer Olympic preview while riding to the Outer Banks with my second family, the Ingrams. I saw a picture of and fell in love, or something like that. I then proceeded to cut out and collect every picture I could obtain of her, eventually creating a shrine on my bedroom wall. It didn’t stop there, I wrote her fans letters, bought her book (even read it), went to see the touring gymnastics show at the Civic Arena and dragged my best friends Ross with me (talk about a good friend) and I even asked her to my schools homecoming dance. This whole thing lasted for about 6-8 months before I called it off.
It obviously didn’t work out for the two of us and we decided to go our separate ways, which is why it was nice to see that she has moved on in her life and has started a family. Congratulations Dominique!
Now most people may have thought it was funny or cute, but looking back on the “crush” it was more like psychotic. I should really question the friendship of anyone who let me do the things I did during this phase of my life. I hope I was at least able to entertain everyone who watched from a distance as this “crush” developed.
It all started while reading the Sports Illustrated Summer Olympic preview while riding to the Outer Banks with my second family, the Ingrams. I saw a picture of and fell in love, or something like that. I then proceeded to cut out and collect every picture I could obtain of her, eventually creating a shrine on my bedroom wall. It didn’t stop there, I wrote her fans letters, bought her book (even read it), went to see the touring gymnastics show at the Civic Arena and dragged my best friends Ross with me (talk about a good friend) and I even asked her to my schools homecoming dance. This whole thing lasted for about 6-8 months before I called it off.
It obviously didn’t work out for the two of us and we decided to go our separate ways, which is why it was nice to see that she has moved on in her life and has started a family. Congratulations Dominique!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Guest Ranter
Expat Pittsburgher
I was born in Pittsburgh on a cold day in 1973, I left on a cold day in 1977, with a brief four year, ok it was four and a half, return to attend the MIGHTY University of Pittsburgh. On the D.C. Metro train home from the Penguins last minute (literally) victory over the Washington Capitals, Tolkin’s line from the Hobbit, kept ringing in my head: “Wherever you go, there you are.” By there, I am convinced he meant Pittsburgh.
Since 1977 I have been a Virginian, I consider Virginia my home – except for tax purposes: PA is tax free for active duty military! I celebrate Lee/Jackson day, for those of you north of the Mason–Dixon that is Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, I like grits, cornbread used to chew a can of Copenhagen a day (married a damn Yankee and had to stop) and like NASCAR. By any northerner’s definition, I am a southerner.
Except when I am around other Pittsburghers. For those of you like me who have left, you will understand this, and have lived it. For those of you still in the Gateway City, I feel a loving affection for you seemingly incurable ability NOT to understand.
Pittsburghers are a unique breed, they have the confidence of a thoroughbred racehorse, innocence to a three year-old and a fanatical devotion to all things black and gold that would rival a Berlin party rally in 1936!
For those of us that left, road games are our connection back to that mystical wonderland. On the train into D.C. this morning, my wife commented that there were more Penguin shirts than Capital shirts…. This was only the beginning. The “Let’s go Pens,” chant started in the subway station and carried itself all the way to the upper decks of the Verizon Center. When “The Kid” got his first goal in the second, the place went nuts; you would have thought it was Lemieux to Jagr to Lemieux in 1992 in the Civic Arena! Speaking of Jagr…. Nobody from Pittsburgh had to ask, “Why is that guy wearing a Penguin #68 jersey, with the “r” replaced by “off”?“ We all just understand… In his own house a chant of “Ovie-rated” rang out, or the terrible towels that flooded the building…. Was I surprised to hear the Steeler Polka being sung? Nope, nor was I surprised when complete strangers joined in and the whole block was singing it…. Again, this is at a Penguin ROAD game!
The great or sad, I cannot decide, thing is… this happens everywhere: San Diego, LA, Houston… and it is every sport: Football, Baseball, Hockey…. Heck even a Pitt baseball game in South Carolina!
For those of you that left, can you count the times you had a Pirate hat or shirt on, and walked past another, in Lowe’s, the grocery store, wherever, and exchanged a brief, painful, knowing look with that person that spoke volumes? Or sat at the gate in any airport in the world, with a flight terminating in Pittsburgh…like a US Embassy…sovereign Pittsburgh real estate!
The bottom line is, no matter where you go, there you are. Hmm Haa!
I was born in Pittsburgh on a cold day in 1973, I left on a cold day in 1977, with a brief four year, ok it was four and a half, return to attend the MIGHTY University of Pittsburgh. On the D.C. Metro train home from the Penguins last minute (literally) victory over the Washington Capitals, Tolkin’s line from the Hobbit, kept ringing in my head: “Wherever you go, there you are.” By there, I am convinced he meant Pittsburgh.
Since 1977 I have been a Virginian, I consider Virginia my home – except for tax purposes: PA is tax free for active duty military! I celebrate Lee/Jackson day, for those of you north of the Mason–Dixon that is Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, I like grits, cornbread used to chew a can of Copenhagen a day (married a damn Yankee and had to stop) and like NASCAR. By any northerner’s definition, I am a southerner.
Except when I am around other Pittsburghers. For those of you like me who have left, you will understand this, and have lived it. For those of you still in the Gateway City, I feel a loving affection for you seemingly incurable ability NOT to understand.
Pittsburghers are a unique breed, they have the confidence of a thoroughbred racehorse, innocence to a three year-old and a fanatical devotion to all things black and gold that would rival a Berlin party rally in 1936!
For those of us that left, road games are our connection back to that mystical wonderland. On the train into D.C. this morning, my wife commented that there were more Penguin shirts than Capital shirts…. This was only the beginning. The “Let’s go Pens,” chant started in the subway station and carried itself all the way to the upper decks of the Verizon Center. When “The Kid” got his first goal in the second, the place went nuts; you would have thought it was Lemieux to Jagr to Lemieux in 1992 in the Civic Arena! Speaking of Jagr…. Nobody from Pittsburgh had to ask, “Why is that guy wearing a Penguin #68 jersey, with the “r” replaced by “off”?“ We all just understand… In his own house a chant of “Ovie-rated” rang out, or the terrible towels that flooded the building…. Was I surprised to hear the Steeler Polka being sung? Nope, nor was I surprised when complete strangers joined in and the whole block was singing it…. Again, this is at a Penguin ROAD game!
The great or sad, I cannot decide, thing is… this happens everywhere: San Diego, LA, Houston… and it is every sport: Football, Baseball, Hockey…. Heck even a Pitt baseball game in South Carolina!
For those of you that left, can you count the times you had a Pirate hat or shirt on, and walked past another, in Lowe’s, the grocery store, wherever, and exchanged a brief, painful, knowing look with that person that spoke volumes? Or sat at the gate in any airport in the world, with a flight terminating in Pittsburgh…like a US Embassy…sovereign Pittsburgh real estate!
The bottom line is, no matter where you go, there you are. Hmm Haa!
-Pete Reitmeyer
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
My Imaginary Sit Down with Terrelle Pryor
All The Pressure of Being #1
Super athlete and #1 rated high school football player in the country by just about every possible scouting agency Terrelle Pryor has certainly enjoyed the spotlight placed on him this football season. The quarterback from Jeannette has drawn favorable comparisons to former Texas star Vince Young and has been recruited by nearly every school in the country. During this process Pryor has made some interesting statements, actions and decisions that make you wonder about the huge pressure and demands placed on an 18 year old kid.
First, let me say that I in no way would ever like to be in these kids shoes as they get pulled in every direction by reporters, coaches, fans and anyone else just trying to get a piece of the next big thing.
What I have realized most by watching the “Pryor-Mania” storm through Western Pennsylvania this season is that these kids are out on an island with no one to help. The main thing that these kids need is proper guidance. Based on what I have seen from watching Terrelle this season is he either not getting much or not listening to the advice and guidance that he does get. Towards the end of the recruiting process he grabbed Charlie Batch and asked for his help with the process, but unfortunately the damage was already done. Even the great person that Charlie Batch is, who has probably done more in the area than any other Pittsburgh Steeler in terms of giving back, is fighting an uphill battle in this recruiting battle.
I am not saying any of this or criticizing Pryor because he has no interest in going to play football for my beloved Pitt Panther. As a matter of fact, I agree with him not wanting to go to Pitt, despite his father, who is a lifelong Panthers fans’ wishes. With the huge media hype that has surrounded Pryor over the past 12 months I think it is best that he go elsewhere for the next part of his life. I also have almost no faith in the Panthers offensive coaching staff being able to use his incredible athletic ability to its fullest extent. It is little things like that though that I feel Pryor hasn’t closely examined during his recruiting process. Based on some of his comments and decisions thus far, I am right.
Let’s look at a few things here regarding his recruiting. First, Pryor should be looking for coaches that have coached a QB in the past with his type of ability. With a player with that much talent it doesn’t make much sense to play in Pro-Style offense. So, the coaches you look for are coaches that either already run a spread style running offense or a find a coach that is dynamic and versatile enough to change his style to fit the style of a player like Pryor.
SCHOOLS/COACHES THAT FIT THAT MOLD:
Florida - Urban Meyer is an offensive genius and if it wasn’t for Tim Tebow still having two more years of eligibility you would have to believe the Gators would have been right there in the Pryor sweepstakes.
Oregon - Look no further than what Dennis Dixon did this past season for the Ducks.
Texas – Uh, Vince Young…He turned out pretty good under those coaches.
West Virginia – Oh wait, Rodriguez went north to…
Michigan – The man who basically invented this current style of spread offense back in his days at Glenville State College and built the Mountaineers high powered attack no in the Big house has to be enticing.
Ohio State – They win, they play a spread offense and they produce NFL players; three of the things that Pryor should be looking for in his college choice.
LSU – See Ohio State (but they win more, and against Ohio State).
I mention these schools primarily because these school are also ones that have peaked the interest of Pryor throughout the recruiting process with the likes of Tennessee, Duke, Pitt and Penn State.
Pryor has also said he wants to play in front of big crowds, exit Duke and Pitt.
Tennessee was of interest due to offensive coordinator David Cutliff who took the head-coaching job at Duke, hence the interest there. The odd thing about that is that Cutliff is best known for coaching lead-footed quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning and Erik Ainge. He never coached anyone with any mobility, which makes you wonder what attracted Pryor to him in the first place.
Moving on to the rest of the candidates.
Now that I have narrowed down the list of schools in contention for Pryor over the next 3+ years, I will be his much need guidance as he makes the biggest decision of his life.
First things first, pick a sport. Everyone knows that you are an All-State basketball player and you could probably go and play just about anywhere you want on the hardwood as well, but in this day and age you can’t be a star on both teams, that ended about 15 years ago with Charlie Ward. Now if you want to play hoops in college it is quite simple, go to Pitt (what, you thought I’d give up on that possibility?). Since you want to play football, lets move on.
Lets breakdown the schools and coaches that you have been considering or have mentioned in this process.
PENN STATE:
Great, legendary coach, but he and his coaches are too old school for you to develop into the player you are capable of with your talents. Penn State is a school where quarterbacks go to play defense, and with the 100 yard INT return in the state semi-final game JoePa was licking his chops. Honestly though, the offensive guru’s up there had Michael Robinson playing behind Zach Mills for three years. A Zach Mills who digressed every year there. When Michael Robinson FINALLY got a chance all he did was win Big Ten player of the Year and take the team to the Orange Bowl.
On the bright side, if you went to State College and JoePa let you play hoops, you would immediately become the best player in a Penn State uniform to ever play at the Bryce Jordan Center.
OREGON:
Look at what Dennis Dixon did running Mike Bellotti’s high-powered spread offense. Plus, he was a senior as was the youngest son, Brady, of the prolific quarterback family, the Leafs’. The starting spot this fall is all but yours if you head west. Plus, can you say, “FREE NIKE GEAR!?”
LSU:
Guess what winning the National Title gets you, a chance at the top high school player in the country. It also doesn’t hurt to have the offensive coordinator and QB coach that recruited and coached Dennis Dixon at Oregon before leaving for LSU. Who wouldn’t want to play ball in the best conference in the nation, for the only team to win multiple BCS titles?
PITT: (Told you I wasn’t giving up hope)
The talent in the recent recruiting class has to have at least gotten you to look in Pitt’s direction, right? How else do you explain meeting with Coach Wannestedt two weekends ago? Plus, living in Pittsburgh you should know how us yinzers never forget our heroes. Look at a typical Pitt football season; they honor Dorsett, Ditka and Marino at least once every season. If you won at Pitt you would be bigger than all of them. Let’s for one-minute think about the possibility of Cavanaugh actually being able to use you to the maximum of your ability. Think about the weapons you would have over the next few years to work with. Shady McCoy in the backfield plus a huge, fast target at WR in Jonathan Baldwin, scary!
Okay, now for the big boys, the favorites, the front of the pack, the leaders in the clubhouse to win your services in college, Michigan and the Ohio State University.
MICHIGAN:
Michigan was not on the radar at all until December 16th, when Rich Rodriguez broke the news to the nation he was leaving West Virginia to take the Michigan job through Terrelle Pryor. Personally, someone that tells a high school recruit before he tells his players this kind of information doesn’t register real high on my moral scale, but that is for another blog. The bottom line is Rodriguez and this offense is a winner, it has been everywhere he has taken it. Rodriguez has also emptied the cupboard of quarterbacks in Ann Arbor trying to get you there, so you know you will be the starter from day one as a Wolverine. The problem is he will never win the big game with the gimmick offense and defense that he runs, which means he will never win the National Championship. Which also means he may be run out of Michigan before you are finished there.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY:
Never doubt the recruiting power of the sweater vest. Jim Tressel has produced a Heisman winner and the best regular season in D1 football the past two seasons. Which means with you or without you he is going to win. You may be the missing link though to winning the big prize which has avoided the Buckeyes the past two January’s. As for talent surrounding you, Ohio State is in the process of putting together another Top 5 recruiting class, once again getting the best players money can buy.
When it all comes down to it, since you seem set on one of these two schools, I think the best choice for you is Ohio State. Good Luck in Columbus!
Super athlete and #1 rated high school football player in the country by just about every possible scouting agency Terrelle Pryor has certainly enjoyed the spotlight placed on him this football season. The quarterback from Jeannette has drawn favorable comparisons to former Texas star Vince Young and has been recruited by nearly every school in the country. During this process Pryor has made some interesting statements, actions and decisions that make you wonder about the huge pressure and demands placed on an 18 year old kid.
First, let me say that I in no way would ever like to be in these kids shoes as they get pulled in every direction by reporters, coaches, fans and anyone else just trying to get a piece of the next big thing.
What I have realized most by watching the “Pryor-Mania” storm through Western Pennsylvania this season is that these kids are out on an island with no one to help. The main thing that these kids need is proper guidance. Based on what I have seen from watching Terrelle this season is he either not getting much or not listening to the advice and guidance that he does get. Towards the end of the recruiting process he grabbed Charlie Batch and asked for his help with the process, but unfortunately the damage was already done. Even the great person that Charlie Batch is, who has probably done more in the area than any other Pittsburgh Steeler in terms of giving back, is fighting an uphill battle in this recruiting battle.
I am not saying any of this or criticizing Pryor because he has no interest in going to play football for my beloved Pitt Panther. As a matter of fact, I agree with him not wanting to go to Pitt, despite his father, who is a lifelong Panthers fans’ wishes. With the huge media hype that has surrounded Pryor over the past 12 months I think it is best that he go elsewhere for the next part of his life. I also have almost no faith in the Panthers offensive coaching staff being able to use his incredible athletic ability to its fullest extent. It is little things like that though that I feel Pryor hasn’t closely examined during his recruiting process. Based on some of his comments and decisions thus far, I am right.
Let’s look at a few things here regarding his recruiting. First, Pryor should be looking for coaches that have coached a QB in the past with his type of ability. With a player with that much talent it doesn’t make much sense to play in Pro-Style offense. So, the coaches you look for are coaches that either already run a spread style running offense or a find a coach that is dynamic and versatile enough to change his style to fit the style of a player like Pryor.
SCHOOLS/COACHES THAT FIT THAT MOLD:
Florida - Urban Meyer is an offensive genius and if it wasn’t for Tim Tebow still having two more years of eligibility you would have to believe the Gators would have been right there in the Pryor sweepstakes.
Oregon - Look no further than what Dennis Dixon did this past season for the Ducks.
Texas – Uh, Vince Young…He turned out pretty good under those coaches.
West Virginia – Oh wait, Rodriguez went north to…
Michigan – The man who basically invented this current style of spread offense back in his days at Glenville State College and built the Mountaineers high powered attack no in the Big house has to be enticing.
Ohio State – They win, they play a spread offense and they produce NFL players; three of the things that Pryor should be looking for in his college choice.
LSU – See Ohio State (but they win more, and against Ohio State).
I mention these schools primarily because these school are also ones that have peaked the interest of Pryor throughout the recruiting process with the likes of Tennessee, Duke, Pitt and Penn State.
Pryor has also said he wants to play in front of big crowds, exit Duke and Pitt.
Tennessee was of interest due to offensive coordinator David Cutliff who took the head-coaching job at Duke, hence the interest there. The odd thing about that is that Cutliff is best known for coaching lead-footed quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning and Erik Ainge. He never coached anyone with any mobility, which makes you wonder what attracted Pryor to him in the first place.
Moving on to the rest of the candidates.
Now that I have narrowed down the list of schools in contention for Pryor over the next 3+ years, I will be his much need guidance as he makes the biggest decision of his life.
First things first, pick a sport. Everyone knows that you are an All-State basketball player and you could probably go and play just about anywhere you want on the hardwood as well, but in this day and age you can’t be a star on both teams, that ended about 15 years ago with Charlie Ward. Now if you want to play hoops in college it is quite simple, go to Pitt (what, you thought I’d give up on that possibility?). Since you want to play football, lets move on.
Lets breakdown the schools and coaches that you have been considering or have mentioned in this process.
PENN STATE:
Great, legendary coach, but he and his coaches are too old school for you to develop into the player you are capable of with your talents. Penn State is a school where quarterbacks go to play defense, and with the 100 yard INT return in the state semi-final game JoePa was licking his chops. Honestly though, the offensive guru’s up there had Michael Robinson playing behind Zach Mills for three years. A Zach Mills who digressed every year there. When Michael Robinson FINALLY got a chance all he did was win Big Ten player of the Year and take the team to the Orange Bowl.
On the bright side, if you went to State College and JoePa let you play hoops, you would immediately become the best player in a Penn State uniform to ever play at the Bryce Jordan Center.
OREGON:
Look at what Dennis Dixon did running Mike Bellotti’s high-powered spread offense. Plus, he was a senior as was the youngest son, Brady, of the prolific quarterback family, the Leafs’. The starting spot this fall is all but yours if you head west. Plus, can you say, “FREE NIKE GEAR!?”
LSU:
Guess what winning the National Title gets you, a chance at the top high school player in the country. It also doesn’t hurt to have the offensive coordinator and QB coach that recruited and coached Dennis Dixon at Oregon before leaving for LSU. Who wouldn’t want to play ball in the best conference in the nation, for the only team to win multiple BCS titles?
PITT: (Told you I wasn’t giving up hope)
The talent in the recent recruiting class has to have at least gotten you to look in Pitt’s direction, right? How else do you explain meeting with Coach Wannestedt two weekends ago? Plus, living in Pittsburgh you should know how us yinzers never forget our heroes. Look at a typical Pitt football season; they honor Dorsett, Ditka and Marino at least once every season. If you won at Pitt you would be bigger than all of them. Let’s for one-minute think about the possibility of Cavanaugh actually being able to use you to the maximum of your ability. Think about the weapons you would have over the next few years to work with. Shady McCoy in the backfield plus a huge, fast target at WR in Jonathan Baldwin, scary!
Okay, now for the big boys, the favorites, the front of the pack, the leaders in the clubhouse to win your services in college, Michigan and the Ohio State University.
MICHIGAN:
Michigan was not on the radar at all until December 16th, when Rich Rodriguez broke the news to the nation he was leaving West Virginia to take the Michigan job through Terrelle Pryor. Personally, someone that tells a high school recruit before he tells his players this kind of information doesn’t register real high on my moral scale, but that is for another blog. The bottom line is Rodriguez and this offense is a winner, it has been everywhere he has taken it. Rodriguez has also emptied the cupboard of quarterbacks in Ann Arbor trying to get you there, so you know you will be the starter from day one as a Wolverine. The problem is he will never win the big game with the gimmick offense and defense that he runs, which means he will never win the National Championship. Which also means he may be run out of Michigan before you are finished there.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY:
Never doubt the recruiting power of the sweater vest. Jim Tressel has produced a Heisman winner and the best regular season in D1 football the past two seasons. Which means with you or without you he is going to win. You may be the missing link though to winning the big prize which has avoided the Buckeyes the past two January’s. As for talent surrounding you, Ohio State is in the process of putting together another Top 5 recruiting class, once again getting the best players money can buy.
When it all comes down to it, since you seem set on one of these two schools, I think the best choice for you is Ohio State. Good Luck in Columbus!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Things That Make You Go HMMMM
When the New York Giants travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY on Sunday it will be the first time that the team from New York actually plays a game in the state of New York in 2,933 days.
The last time the Giants played in New York was December 12, 1999 when they defeated the Bills 19-17.
The last time the Giants played in New York was December 12, 1999 when they defeated the Bills 19-17.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Through 4 Weeks of College Football, my thoughts
After four weeks of the football season, I think is about the right time to put value to the rankings that we have seen in magazines and newspaper since July. I think it is a shame that teams get penalized in the final rankings because some schmo didn’t think highly enough about a team when he saw them in shoulder pads and shorts, and is too stubborn to change his mind once he actually sees them play and realizes he was wrong.
I refuse to be one of those types, so here is what I have learned in the first 4 weeks of the college football season and how I would rank the top 30:
*A good coach with a well-disciplined team that can execute is far better than a bunch of under-achieving 5-star recruits (see Appalachian State)
*USC and LSU are BY FAR the 2 best teams in the country.
*There will be no Boise State Cinderella story in the BCS this year. TCU was a huge disappointment and Hawaii plays nobody and surely will not have a strong enough schedule to get an at-large selection.
*The SEC is overrated this year. This year they have 1 great team, 1 really good team and about 6 or 7 solid teams. I still think it is the best conference, but for the first time in a long time, 4 others could make a case (everyone except the ACC).
*The ACC is terrible. So how did that transition into a “football power” conference go? Boston College is the only ones pulling their weight. Can you imagine if they had not gotten VT and Miami too, Clemson would be the only team in the Top 25+5. What happened to the rest of the ACC powers from before the merge?
*Defense wins championships. Just ask Louisville (628 yards of total offense and 555 yards passing) and Texas Tech (718 total and 646 passing) both who lost after putting up these offensive numbers.
*Notre Dame is REALLY bad, and I LOVE it!!!!
*Joe Paterno needs to finally retire. Watching him be out-coached as badly as he did on Saturday was like watch Superman in a wheelchair, those things just should not happen.
1. USC (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Washington State 47-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ Washington
2. LSU (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs South Carolina 28-16
Next Game: 9-29 @ Tulane
3. OKLAHOMA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Tulsa 62-21
Next Game: 9-29 @ Colorado
4. FLORIDA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Ole Miss 30-24
Next Game: 9-29 vs Auburn
5. WEST VIRGINIA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs East Carolina 48-7
Next Game: 9-28 @ #14 South Florida
6. WISCONSIN (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Iowa 17-13
Next Game: 9-29 vs #23 Michigan State
7. CALIFORNIA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arizona 45-27
Next Game: 9-29 @ #10 Oregon
8. TEXAS (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Rice 58-14
Next Game: 9-29 vs Kansas State
9. RUTGERS (3-0)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 9-29 vs Maryland
10. OREGON (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Stanford 55-21
Next Game: 9-29 vs #7 California
11. BOSTON COLLEGE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Army 37-17
Next Game: 9-29 vs Massachusetts
12. THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Northwestern 58-7
Next Game: 9-29 @ Minnesota
13. CLEMSON (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ NC State 42-20
Next Game: 9-29 @ Georgia Tech
14. SOUTH FLORIDA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs North Carolina
Next Game: 9-28 vs # 5 West Virginia
15. KENTUCKY (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arkansas 42-29
Next Game: 9-29 vs Florida Atlantic
16. SOUTH CAROLINA (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ LSU 28-16
Next Game: 9-29 vs Mississippi State
17. GEORGIA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Alabama 26-23 (OT)
Next Game: 9-29 vs Mississippi
18. MISSOURI (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Illinois State 38-17
Next Game: 10-6 vs #22 Nebraska
19. VIRGINIA TECH (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs William & Mary 44-3
Next Game: 9-29 vs North Carolina
20. PENN STATE (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Michigan 14-9
Next Game: 9-29 @ Illinois
21. ALABAMA (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs Georgia 26-23 (OT)
Next Game: 9-29 @ Florida State
22. NEBRASKA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Ball State 41-40
Next Game: 9-29 vs Iowa State
23. MICHIGAN STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Notre Dame 31-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ #6 Wisconsin
24. ARIZONA STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Oregon State 44-32
Next Game: 9-29 @ Stanford
25. CINCINNATI (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Marshall 40-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ San Diego State
NEXT 5:
26. Hawaii (4-0)- I refuse to have them in the Top 25 until they beat someone.
27. Purdue (4-0)- Irish fans, can you say “0-5?”
28. Miami FL (3-1)- Which Miami team will show up this week?
29. Michigan (2-2)- 2 losses and ranked? Last week was the real Michigan team.
30. UCLA (3-1)- What happened against Utah?
I refuse to be one of those types, so here is what I have learned in the first 4 weeks of the college football season and how I would rank the top 30:
*A good coach with a well-disciplined team that can execute is far better than a bunch of under-achieving 5-star recruits (see Appalachian State)
*USC and LSU are BY FAR the 2 best teams in the country.
*There will be no Boise State Cinderella story in the BCS this year. TCU was a huge disappointment and Hawaii plays nobody and surely will not have a strong enough schedule to get an at-large selection.
*The SEC is overrated this year. This year they have 1 great team, 1 really good team and about 6 or 7 solid teams. I still think it is the best conference, but for the first time in a long time, 4 others could make a case (everyone except the ACC).
*The ACC is terrible. So how did that transition into a “football power” conference go? Boston College is the only ones pulling their weight. Can you imagine if they had not gotten VT and Miami too, Clemson would be the only team in the Top 25+5. What happened to the rest of the ACC powers from before the merge?
*Defense wins championships. Just ask Louisville (628 yards of total offense and 555 yards passing) and Texas Tech (718 total and 646 passing) both who lost after putting up these offensive numbers.
*Notre Dame is REALLY bad, and I LOVE it!!!!
*Joe Paterno needs to finally retire. Watching him be out-coached as badly as he did on Saturday was like watch Superman in a wheelchair, those things just should not happen.
1. USC (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Washington State 47-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ Washington
2. LSU (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs South Carolina 28-16
Next Game: 9-29 @ Tulane
3. OKLAHOMA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Tulsa 62-21
Next Game: 9-29 @ Colorado
4. FLORIDA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Ole Miss 30-24
Next Game: 9-29 vs Auburn
5. WEST VIRGINIA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs East Carolina 48-7
Next Game: 9-28 @ #14 South Florida
6. WISCONSIN (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Iowa 17-13
Next Game: 9-29 vs #23 Michigan State
7. CALIFORNIA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arizona 45-27
Next Game: 9-29 @ #10 Oregon
8. TEXAS (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Rice 58-14
Next Game: 9-29 vs Kansas State
9. RUTGERS (3-0)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 9-29 vs Maryland
10. OREGON (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Stanford 55-21
Next Game: 9-29 vs #7 California
11. BOSTON COLLEGE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Army 37-17
Next Game: 9-29 vs Massachusetts
12. THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Northwestern 58-7
Next Game: 9-29 @ Minnesota
13. CLEMSON (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ NC State 42-20
Next Game: 9-29 @ Georgia Tech
14. SOUTH FLORIDA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs North Carolina
Next Game: 9-28 vs # 5 West Virginia
15. KENTUCKY (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arkansas 42-29
Next Game: 9-29 vs Florida Atlantic
16. SOUTH CAROLINA (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ LSU 28-16
Next Game: 9-29 vs Mississippi State
17. GEORGIA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Alabama 26-23 (OT)
Next Game: 9-29 vs Mississippi
18. MISSOURI (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Illinois State 38-17
Next Game: 10-6 vs #22 Nebraska
19. VIRGINIA TECH (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs William & Mary 44-3
Next Game: 9-29 vs North Carolina
20. PENN STATE (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Michigan 14-9
Next Game: 9-29 @ Illinois
21. ALABAMA (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs Georgia 26-23 (OT)
Next Game: 9-29 @ Florida State
22. NEBRASKA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Ball State 41-40
Next Game: 9-29 vs Iowa State
23. MICHIGAN STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Notre Dame 31-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ #6 Wisconsin
24. ARIZONA STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Oregon State 44-32
Next Game: 9-29 @ Stanford
25. CINCINNATI (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Marshall 40-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ San Diego State
NEXT 5:
26. Hawaii (4-0)- I refuse to have them in the Top 25 until they beat someone.
27. Purdue (4-0)- Irish fans, can you say “0-5?”
28. Miami FL (3-1)- Which Miami team will show up this week?
29. Michigan (2-2)- 2 losses and ranked? Last week was the real Michigan team.
30. UCLA (3-1)- What happened against Utah?
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