It's coming down to all the marbles and I'm putting in my request for BCS math to shake out the following teams for the National Championship:
FLORIDA vs. TEXAS TECH
Why Florida...
Obviously, I want the Gators to have a shot at the title - come on, they're my team! They have a legit shot of actually deserving it too if they take a bite out of the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship. I have been spoiled this season with multiple 50 point games, so I wouldn't mind seeing that trend continue.
Why Texas Tech...
First off, at least Ohio State isn't even in a conversation, woo hoo! Okay, back to Tech...Their O-line plays like they're from the SEC. This is the closest match up to an SEC v. SEC for the NC. I think they could put up a challenge if they survive their conference. Plus who wouldn't want to see what kind of face paint Brandon Carter could come up with for the big game.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
I want a vote
That's it - I want a vote in the AP poll. USC legitimately looked good this weekend (good for them taking over #1) however, Florida crushed a more worthy opponent by more points than either Georgia or OSU in their even bigger cupcake games. So, if we are going to start shuffling the cards, UF needs to at least hurdle Ohio State because honestly, OSU should have crushed YSU and they didn't.
Granted there is still plenty of time for this to work itself out, but this is perfectly set up so that the winner of the OSU vs USC game will be in prime solid contention to play in the National Championship against which ever SEC team shakes to the top. Kind of makes the rest of the top 25 seem useless if this scenerio unfolds.
Granted there is still plenty of time for this to work itself out, but this is perfectly set up so that the winner of the OSU vs USC game will be in prime solid contention to play in the National Championship against which ever SEC team shakes to the top. Kind of makes the rest of the top 25 seem useless if this scenerio unfolds.
Updated: September 3, 2008, 10:04 AM ET
NEW YORK -- By staying away from the cupcakes, Southern California earned itself a slim new ranking.
No. 1 always seems to fit USC.
Poll Positions
The top five teams in The Associated Press poll:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. For complete AP and USA Today polls, click here. Southern California jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Tuesday, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent.
Georgia and Ohio State, the preseason Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, started their seasons with glorified scrimmages at home against FCS (formerly I-AA) teams. USC, however, traveled across country to face Virginia and could not have been more impressive in a 52-7 victory.
Georgia fell to No. 2 and Ohio State to No. 3.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Packers/Bengals
I've never seen Packers fans so happy after a loss to the Bengals (spare me the preseason, it doesn't count message). It must be their new A-Rod...
Also, the Bengals did a great job of grabbing shoes on defense[see photo from AP story], this is going to be a fun season for the Steelers :)
Also, the Bengals did a great job of grabbing shoes on defense[see photo from AP story], this is going to be a fun season for the Steelers :)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Rivals to Teammateshttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
The Steelers signed Leftwich, an old MAC rival of Bens...
As someone that was tortured during the Marshall stay in the MAC, I've never been a fan of ol Byron, so this is going to be a rough go of things to see him out there as a Steeler.
Stay healthy Ben!!!
As someone that was tortured during the Marshall stay in the MAC, I've never been a fan of ol Byron, so this is going to be a rough go of things to see him out there as a Steeler.
Stay healthy Ben!!!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Seriously?
We have officially moved into a parallel universe to which Illinois is considered a threat to OSU and put in a statement to which infers the Big Ten is going to be challenging to it's traditional Queen.
More propaganda pushing on someone's part at ESPN...
re: Ohio State: “Depth, talent and experience. The Bucks seem to have it all, but the road to the BCS title (at USC, at Wisconsin, at Illinois) won't be easy.”
I’ll give you “at USC” ...but come one – we’re putting Wisconsin and Illinois in the sentence to make it look like they are going to be challenged in conference play? Seriously?
Sickening.
More propaganda pushing on someone's part at ESPN...
re: Ohio State: “Depth, talent and experience. The Bucks seem to have it all, but the road to the BCS title (at USC, at Wisconsin, at Illinois) won't be easy.”
I’ll give you “at USC” ...but come one – we’re putting Wisconsin and Illinois in the sentence to make it look like they are going to be challenged in conference play? Seriously?
Sickening.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Bad PR move, Brett
Really, this is not how any envisioned their lasting professional memory of Brett Favre.
When I was in high school, I worked a large retail organization and daily dreamed of my triumphant exit and elaborate display of "I'm soo out of here!" I pictured myself walking through the store knocking over piles of folded turtleneck shirts that I had previously spent hours and days continually refolding after the old ladies would come in and hold up every size and leave them laying. I imagined that I would scream, "this place is horrible, I quit" while kicking open the door to security, tossing my name tag and holding up two fingers in classic "peace out, homies" attitude.
Of course, when my final days actually occurred, I politely cleaned out my last fitting room, hugged my coworkers and rode off into the sunset in an honorable manner. While my dream scenario would be entertaining, I knew the coworkers that I actually liked would be the ones that would have to clean up my mess and not the evil management and old lady posse that actually caused me to develop the plan.
Brett Favre is choosing the messy direction for his final decent out of professional football. Instead of leaving the world under the impression he was the greatest thing to touch a football in Green Bay for decades, a true hall of fame world class guy - he's knocking over sweaters and leaving a trail of destruction that his teammates will end up cleaning up and not the management that he is projecting his attitude towards.
I completely understand that it's that time of year, he has the itch to play, but really you can't play forever, that's not how the NFL works.
But from a PR perspective - his choice of action to fulfill his own desires to play is making him appear selfish and not in true "Everybody Loves Favre" fashion. If the Packers release him and grant his wish out of the goodness of their hearts, he could land as their backyard rival. Why would they want to unleash their own best asset against them? If he comes back, actually "calls their bluff" and stays with the Packers, he adds another year to the yank and chain of Aaron Rodgers, the whole team and the future of franchise.
All in all, this whole fiasco is not good for the overall Favre brand. I know it's his life and he can choose to do what he wants to with it, but he is also a public figure and role model, so yeah, I say the rules are going to be different for him, just like they are for the entire population of professional athletes. Not to mention he could have done other things to satisfy his desire to be part of the game - like coach, young kids or high school. He would still get to participate in the sport, be competitive and bestow his gifts on another generation that already look up to him.
MILWAUKEE -- Brett Favre says he's tempted to show up at the Green Bay Packers' training camp just to call the team's "bluff."
When I was in high school, I worked a large retail organization and daily dreamed of my triumphant exit and elaborate display of "I'm soo out of here!" I pictured myself walking through the store knocking over piles of folded turtleneck shirts that I had previously spent hours and days continually refolding after the old ladies would come in and hold up every size and leave them laying. I imagined that I would scream, "this place is horrible, I quit" while kicking open the door to security, tossing my name tag and holding up two fingers in classic "peace out, homies" attitude.
Of course, when my final days actually occurred, I politely cleaned out my last fitting room, hugged my coworkers and rode off into the sunset in an honorable manner. While my dream scenario would be entertaining, I knew the coworkers that I actually liked would be the ones that would have to clean up my mess and not the evil management and old lady posse that actually caused me to develop the plan.
Brett Favre is choosing the messy direction for his final decent out of professional football. Instead of leaving the world under the impression he was the greatest thing to touch a football in Green Bay for decades, a true hall of fame world class guy - he's knocking over sweaters and leaving a trail of destruction that his teammates will end up cleaning up and not the management that he is projecting his attitude towards.
I completely understand that it's that time of year, he has the itch to play, but really you can't play forever, that's not how the NFL works.
But from a PR perspective - his choice of action to fulfill his own desires to play is making him appear selfish and not in true "Everybody Loves Favre" fashion. If the Packers release him and grant his wish out of the goodness of their hearts, he could land as their backyard rival. Why would they want to unleash their own best asset against them? If he comes back, actually "calls their bluff" and stays with the Packers, he adds another year to the yank and chain of Aaron Rodgers, the whole team and the future of franchise.
All in all, this whole fiasco is not good for the overall Favre brand. I know it's his life and he can choose to do what he wants to with it, but he is also a public figure and role model, so yeah, I say the rules are going to be different for him, just like they are for the entire population of professional athletes. Not to mention he could have done other things to satisfy his desire to be part of the game - like coach, young kids or high school. He would still get to participate in the sport, be competitive and bestow his gifts on another generation that already look up to him.
TitleTown
I realize it is that time of year that ESPN needs to find something interesting to engage fans or they will go absolutely crazy watching a continuous reel of baseball and Favre stories on SportsCenter. They seem to come up with something catching mid-summer to grab the attention of some of the biggest fan bases and stir up some activity on their website. This year's spectacle - TitleTown.
What a horrible idea. We're comparing apples to oranges to grapes to broccoli here. Trying to determine what city deserves the name TitleTown is utterly pointless because it's not a fair fight. Some cities are more inclined to rack up more "titles" simply because they have more opportunities. Boston, LA or NY will likely rise to the top of the contenders and everyone will say "duh" and that was a pointless exercise in statistics. They simply have more pro and college teams to earn more titles.
At the end of the day, what will the status of "TitleTown" even mean for one of these locations? We're not going to stop calling NY the Big Apple and start calling it TitleTown. Now, one of the small towns on the contenders list that doesn't already have a well established identity just might. I know Gainesville certainly would proudly boast it, right after the phrase "Home of the Florida Gators." Columbus, OH renamed a main street on the campus of OSU to "Champions Lane" after they won the 2002 Football National Championship. Notably, I volunteered to yank down the street sign the minute they lost to the Gators. I wouldn't be surprised if city officials didn't officially change the name of the city to "TitleTown," capital of the state of Ohio, should ESPN hand over the title.
Who knows, maybe this mid-summer ESPN attention grabber stunt will become interesting, you never know what fans are capable of - especially football fans.
What a horrible idea. We're comparing apples to oranges to grapes to broccoli here. Trying to determine what city deserves the name TitleTown is utterly pointless because it's not a fair fight. Some cities are more inclined to rack up more "titles" simply because they have more opportunities. Boston, LA or NY will likely rise to the top of the contenders and everyone will say "duh" and that was a pointless exercise in statistics. They simply have more pro and college teams to earn more titles.
At the end of the day, what will the status of "TitleTown" even mean for one of these locations? We're not going to stop calling NY the Big Apple and start calling it TitleTown. Now, one of the small towns on the contenders list that doesn't already have a well established identity just might. I know Gainesville certainly would proudly boast it, right after the phrase "Home of the Florida Gators." Columbus, OH renamed a main street on the campus of OSU to "Champions Lane" after they won the 2002 Football National Championship. Notably, I volunteered to yank down the street sign the minute they lost to the Gators. I wouldn't be surprised if city officials didn't officially change the name of the city to "TitleTown," capital of the state of Ohio, should ESPN hand over the title.
Who knows, maybe this mid-summer ESPN attention grabber stunt will become interesting, you never know what fans are capable of - especially football fans.
All Star Game
By far, the highlight of the All Star Game festivities was watching Josh Hamilton pound out 28 Home Runs in the Derby.
The game itself was depressing as our Reds representative gave up a HR that turned out the be the difference maker.
On the brightside, there is a whole half of a season for the Reds to move into playoff contentions and the Cubs to choke.
The game itself was depressing as our Reds representative gave up a HR that turned out the be the difference maker.
On the brightside, there is a whole half of a season for the Reds to move into playoff contentions and the Cubs to choke.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Reds game
So, even though the Reds are in a little bit of a losing slump, entertainment did managed to come as a result of the fans in the stands, according to the famed Enquirer.
Those fans happened to be my co-workers holding it down in section 135 and early initiators of the wave.
John Fay's article even features similar commentary:
Those fans happened to be my co-workers holding it down in section 135 and early initiators of the wave.
John Fay's article even features similar commentary:
The only excitement at Great American Ball Park Wednesday night mostly was limited to a couple of failed attempts by fans to do The Wave in the eighth inning.Here are some pictures as well:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Face of Miami, seriously?
Okay, so I'm not taking anything away from the Cradle of Coaches, but lets be honest here - the face of Miami football? Start here kids and you'll do great somewhere else!
I voted for Roethlisberger. His college football accomplishments were on the field for the Red and White. The grand accomplishments of the members of the Cradle are phenomenal, but most of them achieved their glory for another set of colors.
He may have also moved on to bigger things, but when you focus only on their time at Miami, he took the team to national prominence.
More good Miami Football discussions happening on Everyday Should Be Saturday.
I voted for Roethlisberger. His college football accomplishments were on the field for the Red and White. The grand accomplishments of the members of the Cradle are phenomenal, but most of them achieved their glory for another set of colors.
He may have also moved on to bigger things, but when you focus only on their time at Miami, he took the team to national prominence.
More good Miami Football discussions happening on Everyday Should Be Saturday.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Leave it to girls...
...to be so considerate. Such a great story:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24392612/
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24392612/
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Gator Girls Go To Rupp
So, we didn't get the "W" out of the "Mild-cats," but 1 out of the last 8 isn't bad. The Gators kept it close and we determined I could throw a peanut M&M on the court from the angle of our seats. We also got to see our favorite basketball boys live in action. Unfortunately, I feel the NIT in our futures - but considering the young talent it's a milestone.
Here are some blurry pictures :)
Here are some blurry pictures :)
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Brett Favre
Brett Favre is hanging up the helmet. I very much enjoyed the enthusiasm he brought to the game of football and I feel fortunate that I got to watch him play for so many years. I often ask my grandma what it was like to get to watch the Big Red Machine in person and she has such fond memories of amazing talent our Redlegs of the 70's possessed and their dedication to the game. Maybe one day my grandkids will ask me about watching Brett Favre.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Hooray for Ben!
Looks like Big Ben will be in Pittsburgh for a long time :)
Another proud moment for the Super Bowl Champion-Pro Bowl-Miami Retired Jersey-Quarterback.
NBC Sports is reporting 8-year, $102 million contract, making Ben one of the highest-paid NFL athletes, largely based on his leadership skills. Might I add, general greatness!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Presidential Candidates Seek Tebow Stamp of Approval
...but it's not going to happen as the Gainesville Sun is reporting that Tim Tebow is staying neutral and not endorsing a Presidential candidate and has been approached by several seeking his stamp of approval.
Highlight of the article: "Tebow, who grew up in Duval County, is a registered Republican voter there, according to the Florida Department of State's Division of Elections."
[full disclosure: I'm a republican :) ]
I also find it it rather entertaining that the supposed great leaders of our country in contention for the top job is actively seeking the support of a 20-year-old football player in Florida, who wasn't even old enough to vote in the last Presidential election. Or maybe that is just a testament to his character...
Highlight of the article: "Tebow, who grew up in Duval County, is a registered Republican voter there, according to the Florida Department of State's Division of Elections."
[full disclosure: I'm a republican :) ]
I also find it it rather entertaining that the supposed great leaders of our country in contention for the top job is actively seeking the support of a 20-year-old football player in Florida, who wasn't even old enough to vote in the last Presidential election. Or maybe that is just a testament to his character...
Friday, February 22, 2008
Greatest Moment...
...of my college football viewing life. To set things up, this was a nasty rainy day in Oxford, Ohio. We are down against Akron and had been giving their head coach a hard time all day from the stands.
Following this play, we rushed the field. It was the only time in my 4 years that fans hit the field and I was just a freshman. A senior looked at me and said - you will never forget this play the rest of your life. That was also the moment I became a Ben Roethlisberger fan for life. I love that YouTube has this clip for me to watch over and over again.
Following this play, we rushed the field. It was the only time in my 4 years that fans hit the field and I was just a freshman. A senior looked at me and said - you will never forget this play the rest of your life. That was also the moment I became a Ben Roethlisberger fan for life. I love that YouTube has this clip for me to watch over and over again.
NBA
Living in Southwest Ohio, professional basketball is not all that popular. I don't have a favorite team, but I do like players for various reasons - alma mater, talent, behavior, attitude, etc.. Similarly, there are players I do NOT like - LeBron James, haven't liked him since I was a junior in high school (a long time ago) and I also have strong feelings against catholic schools competing against public schools that don't have the privilege of recruiting, but that's a whole other story.
I'm also not a fan of Cleveland as a city - it smells, it's the mistake by the lake and in general, living in Cincinnati requires that you to hate all things Cleveland (booo Brownies).
So given all that insight - I'm disappointed to hear that TWO NBA players I like are now Cavs- Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace. I am impressed with the 11-man trade coordination with 1-minute left on the trade clock though.
I'm also not a fan of Cleveland as a city - it smells, it's the mistake by the lake and in general, living in Cincinnati requires that you to hate all things Cleveland (booo Brownies).
So given all that insight - I'm disappointed to hear that TWO NBA players I like are now Cavs- Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace. I am impressed with the 11-man trade coordination with 1-minute left on the trade clock though.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Classic Tim Tebow
I've seen this passed around for a while, but it's a goodie.
The best part of the video is that I'm in that crowd witnessing the glory.
HT - Frank & http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1800940
The best part of the video is that I'm in that crowd witnessing the glory.
HT - Frank & http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1800940
Steelers Schedule
The Steelers 2008-09 schedule has just been brought to my attention, their opponents in particular.
At least at the end of this schedule (and everyone lives up to their own hype) no one will question whether or not the Steelers earned the 6th Super Bowl ring, I anticipate them achieving. (Come on, what fan doesn't start a season thinking their team is going to win the Super Bowl?)
Here We Go Steelers!
Records of 2008 Steeler Opponents
Home Road
*Indianapolis (13-4) *Jacksonville (12-6)
Houston (8-8) *Tennessee (10-7)
*NY Giants (14-6) *Washington (9-8)
*Dallas (13-4) Philadelphia (8-8)
*San Diego (12-6) *New England (18-1)
* - denotes '07 playoff team
Combined record - 117-58 (.669)
At least at the end of this schedule (and everyone lives up to their own hype) no one will question whether or not the Steelers earned the 6th Super Bowl ring, I anticipate them achieving. (Come on, what fan doesn't start a season thinking their team is going to win the Super Bowl?)
Here We Go Steelers!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
ESPN Legal
I'm starting to think that ESPN needs it's own legal or court TV type of extension channel. Over the last year, think about all the legal cases or issues that have been covered (extensively) by ESPN and diluting SportsCenter. This morning alone, there was a story on the Indiana Basketball coach violating recruiting procedures that conveniently followed highlights from last night's Indiana/Wisconsin match up. All I wanted to see were highlights (or lowlights depending on who you ask) from the Florida/LSU game I missed (thankfully, I never did).
Maybe it was just this year with events like the NBA referee scandal, Michael Vick, "Spygate," the Mitchell report and of course Roger Clemens gets a mention of his own, that warrant the need for a ESPN legal channel. Then again, with technology making it easier to document illegal actions, maybe this is the growing trend that we will see more of this, ruining the PR image sports have spent years fostering.
I once facilitated a media interview with Boomer Esiason, who commented on today's NFL players very public arrests (Chris Henry). He said, (and I paraphrase) a lot of professional athletes have always found a way to get into trouble, it was just harder for people to find out. Today, someone can snap video on their cell phone and you're on the Internet an hour later.
On, that note, this is on the Internet...a second later.
Maybe it was just this year with events like the NBA referee scandal, Michael Vick, "Spygate," the Mitchell report and of course Roger Clemens gets a mention of his own, that warrant the need for a ESPN legal channel. Then again, with technology making it easier to document illegal actions, maybe this is the growing trend that we will see more of this, ruining the PR image sports have spent years fostering.
I once facilitated a media interview with Boomer Esiason, who commented on today's NFL players very public arrests (Chris Henry). He said, (and I paraphrase) a lot of professional athletes have always found a way to get into trouble, it was just harder for people to find out. Today, someone can snap video on their cell phone and you're on the Internet an hour later.
On, that note, this is on the Internet...a second later.
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