tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68358806034560158662024-02-18T19:46:54.191-08:00A SCHADENFREUDIAN SLIPRooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-21717843531130753612011-08-29T18:06:00.000-07:002011-08-29T18:06:37.985-07:008/29: 2011 College Football PredictionsAs usual I have my college football predictions for college football for the new season. I will focus on the SEC, giving a win-loss record and bowl destination for each team with a brief summary of the prediction. I will then give you my predictions for the other BCS conferences and the BCS Bowl match-ups.<br />
FYI, I plan to post a review post early each week, adding a Top 25 a few weeks into the season. Also I will run a weekend preview post. I will try to be reliable about this, we'll see how it goes.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2011 SEC Predictions</span><br />
<b><u>EAST</u></b><br />
<i>1. South Carolina 11-1 (7-1) (L at Arkansas)</i><br />
Admittedly you could say this is a total homer pick from me, a proud Gamecock alum, but honestly I think it's hard not to pick the Gamecocks this season to win the division. Best receiver in the league? Check (Alshon Jeffrey). Best running back in the league, at least arguably? Check (Marcus Lattimore). Veteran signal-caller? Check (Stephen Garcia). Consistently strong defense? Check.<br />
History is the lone factor riding against the garnet and black in 2011, and I that can't be the only thing. The only loss I have predicted is on a November trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>7-5 with losses at Miss St, at Arkansas, at Tennessee, at Georgia, at vs Florida<br />
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<i>2. Georgia 10-2 (7-1) (L's vs Boise St & vs South Carolina)</i><br />
The schedule is fantastic. The schedule has many calling them to win the division, but the schedule starts out rough. I believe unless Georgia is all the way back that Boise St is gonna be hard for the Bulldogs to handle, and seems more than likely a loss. Then Georgia welcomes pre-season top-15 South Carolina to Athens. Normally home-field would be a huge advantage, but for Georgia this is not the case and in this series it hasn't meant much. I think Georgia then rips off ten straight wins to close the season. It's not beyond comprehension at all that South Carolina beats Georgia but trips up with a tougher schedule and the Bulldogs win the division.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>6-6 with losses also vs Miss St, at Tenn, vs Florida, vs Auburn<br />
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<i>3. Kentucky 7-5 (3-5) (L's at LSU, at South Carolina, vs Miss St, at Georgia, vs Tenn)</i><br />
Kentucky has settled in as a team that wins 6 or 7 games and gets a bowl bid. That ain't bad for the Wildcats given their doormat status of not so long ago. They may well again find a big upset trophy to pin on their wall, but this year doesn't seem to bode that kind of result.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>3-9, going win-less in conference and losing to rival Louisville<br />
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<i>4. Tennessee 6-6 (2-6) (L's at Fla, vs UGa, vs LSU, at Bama, vs S Carolina, at Arkansas)</i><br />
The Vols found their QB last season, and I had been preparing a decent prediction for Big Orange until I saw their schedule. Drawing the three toughest Western Division opponents prevent them from surpassing 6 wins in my mind. They don't yet have the depth of talent to do much more than that. Keep your head up, Rocky Top, I do think you're headed in the right directions but you've gotta overcome your past mistakes (Lane Kiffin and the mistakes he made, that is).<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>5-7, with Kentucky breaking their insufferable losing streak to Tennessee<br />
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<i>5. Florida 5-7 (2-6) (L's at UK, vs Bama, at LSU, at Auburn, vs Georgia, at SC, vs FSU)</i><br />
It feels weird, but each time I go back I can't see the Gators winning more than 7 games on their schedule. I think Kentucky is going to relish the opportunity to take on Florida for their first road game under an entirely different coaching staff. I also think Georgia is primed for a big season and will be able to beat Florida for the fourth time since 1990. You could argue Florida will beat Auburn, but I won't. The remaining 4 losses I have them pegged for are hard to argue.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>My prediction<br />
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<i>6. Vanderbilt 5-7 (2-6) (L's at SC, at Bama, vs UGa, vs Ark, at Fla, at Tenn, vs Wake)</i><br />
I believe Vanderbilt has finally found the coach who can take Vanderbilt as far as it is capable, which is consistently contending for bowl eligibility. Be honest, that's really their ceiling unless academic restrictions are relaxed. I do hope Vandy gets a good run before bigger jobs come calling.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>1-11, with only win over Elon, and honestly there's no guarantee there, it's Vanderbilt<br />
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<b><u>WEST</u></b><br />
<i>1. Alabama 11-1 (7-1) (L at Miss St)</i><br />
The Tide are a consensus title contender. They're really good, they get their toughest two games at home (LSU, Ark), and did I mention they're really good? No doubt they will have a strong defense. They replace Mark Ingram on a larger basis with Trent Richardson, who some argue was better than Ingram when he won the Heisman. The quarterback is largely successful purely if they don't screw it up.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>9-3, losing to LSU, Arkansas, and Miss St<br />
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<i>2. LSU 10-2 (6-2) (L's at Miss St, at Alabama)</i><br />
Don't get too worked up by the recent news where LSU QB Jordan Jefferson seems unlikely to play most of the season, if any at all, because he wasn't a strength of the Bayou Bengals. He was their biggest weakness, despite immense talent. LSU will use defense, special teams, and a bag of magical fairy dust to win their games. I still think they're fully capable of winning every one of their games, but the game against Alabama is in Tuscaloosa this season.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario:</i> 8-4, losses vs Oregon, at Miss St/at WVU, at Alabama, vs Arkansas<br />
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<i>3. Arkansas 10-2 (6-2) (L's at Alabama, at LSU)</i><br />
Drawing the the other two contenders for the division both on the road is what hurts the Hogs. Their defense seems very much on the rise, and their offense will be able to move through the air. Ryan Mallett was good, but just review what Bobby Petrino did at Louisville and you'll see why I expect them to not miss much of a beat. RB Knile Davis being out for the season is really the final nail in the coffin for the any Arkansas division title. With him they could do it, I don't think they can without it or a 2-loss division winner.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario:</i> 8-4, losses at Alabama, vs Texas A&M, vs S Carolina, at LSU<br />
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<i>4. Mississippi St 9-3 (5-3) (L's at Georgia, vs S Carolina, at Arkansas)</i><br />
Dan Mullen can coach football, period. With a collection of spare parts that looked a lot more like the Island of Misfit Toys than a top-25 Rivals recruiting class Mullen was able to get Mississippi St to the Gator Bowl. I think the ascension continues the Bulldogs, unfortunately I think it ends with Mullen leaving in the next couple years for a much bigger opening. Everyone who didn't hire him will really feel it then.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario: </i>6-6, losses at Auburn, vs LSU, at Georgia, vs S Carolina, at Kentucky, at Arkansas<br />
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<i>5. Auburn 6-6 (2-6) (L's vs Miss St, at S Carolina, at Ark, at LSU, at UGa, vs Bama)</i><br />
I had it in my head that Auburn would have a pretty good season this year, but then I saw the schedule. Drawing the top SEC East team on the road in addition to Georgia and Florida is rough (not Kentucky, Vandy, or Tennessee). Plus the Western division sans Ole Miss is loaded. They even drew a difficult non-conference road game at Clemson. Auburn will have plenty of talent, but it's hard to see much better than 8 wins with this schedule.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario:</i> 4-8, my prediction plus losses at Clemson & vs Florida<br />
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<i>6. Ole Miss 2-10 (0-8) (L's vs all but Southern Illinois and Louisiana Tech)</i><br />
Seriously, I have no words. Anybody else know what Houston Nutt is doing in Oxford? Other than over-signing like a true champ? I do love the right reverend Houston Dale Nutt, but I've got no idea where this program is headed other than into the ground at the speed of sound.<br />
<i>Worst case scenario:</i> They could lose to Louisiana Tech? (aka: SCLSU Mud Dogs)<br />
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<b><u>SEC BOWL PROJECTIONS</u></b><br />
National Championship Game: South Carolina (there's an edge Spurrier/Elliott Johnson have vs Saban)<br />
BCS at-large (Sugar): Alabama<br />
Citrus: LSU<br />
Cotton: Arkansas<br />
Outback: Georgia<br />
Peach: Mississippi St<br />
Gator: Kentucky<br />
Music City: Tennessee<br />
Liberty: Auburn<br />
The artist formerly known as the FrozenPizzaDOTcom Bowl: No SEC team, only 9 bowl eligible<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other conferences</span><br />
<b><u>Big Ten</u></b><br />
Title Game: Wisconsin vs Michigan St<br />
Others: Nebraska and Iowa have a shot, in whatever stupid division they're in<br />
WINNER: Wisconsin, I just love adding Russell Wilson to what the Badgers have built<br />
<b><u>Big XII</u></b><br />
Contenders: Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Texas A&M<br />
Others: Texas can't go from no bowl to winning the conference, will take time to make changes needed<br />
WINNER: Oklahoma, they will win the battle for the conference, but will take on too much damage to play or the national title<br />
<b><u>Pac-12</u></b><br />
Title Game: Oregon vs Arizona<br />
Others: Southern Cal still not postseason eligible<br />
WINNER: Oregon, would like Stanford if Jim Harbaugh had stuck around another season<br />
<b><u>ACC</u></b><br />
Title Game: Florida St vs Virginia Tech<br />
Others: There isn't anybody else, these two will boat race the rest<br />
WINNER: Florida St, the trendy pick but feels like it, only question is if they go undefeated thru December<br />
<b><u>Big East</u></b><br />
Contenders: Everybody?<br />
Others: I guess we can rule out Syracuse, maybe?<br />
WINNER: Feels too easy, but West Virginia (this one's for you, Coach Stew!)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BCS BOWL PREDICTIONS</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Orange Bowl</span><br />
Florida St vs West Virginia (it's the "WE KICKED BOBBY BOWDEN OUT" Bowl)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rose Bowl</span><br />
Oregon vs Oklahoma St<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fiesta Bowl</span><br />
Oklahoma vs Virginia Tech<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sugar Bowl</span><br />
Alabama vs Boise St<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">National Championship Game</span><br />
South Carolina vs Wisconsin<br />
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NATIONAL CHAMPION?<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yqr_cRmmBPM" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Finally, along with a large helping of lolz is your moment of zen:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/za5wwChsCwg" width="420"></iframe>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-45113644577319441892011-01-17T19:12:00.000-08:002011-01-17T19:13:36.200-08:001/17: The NFL Needs More Rex RyanThere are some things I will never understand. I will never understand why some people put anchovies on pizza. I will never understand why some people spend hundreds of dollars on a suit. I will never understand why the Big East gets 8 teams ranked in the Top 25 despite not having much deep tournament success in recent years to stand on. I will never understand why a team squib kicks with a 3-point or less lead late. And I will never understand why some people don't like Rex Ryan.<br />
<div>NFL coaches have been taken over in the last decade by a series of faceless coaching droids that drain all the fun out of the game by treating the game as if it has to be treated like national security. Bill Belichick never cracks a smile and treats a press conference and other media appearances like he'd rather jam an ice pick into his own forehead than answer another question. His teams are great and his play-calling is unique, but his personality is hard to like. Not to mention he runs on platform that his team does things the right way, but he has been <a href="http://deadspin.com/188681/men-keep-your-wives-from-bill-belichick">far from the straight and narrow road himself</a>. So he's a boring coach who also happens to be a hypocrite. Unless you are a fan of the Patriots or a frontrunner he's incredibly hard to like in any way. Here's the typical comment he will give, I hope you are braced for this excitement:</div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7cntcxRoKWE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7cntcxRoKWE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Contrast this with Rex Ryan. He's also a defensive-minded coach in a media hub of the country. He takes an entirely different approach. He comes in and talks up his team. He sticks his neck out there every week with his comments. His team has every reason to believe that he is confident in them. His team loves him for it, and want more than anything to back him up. Rex is a player's coach in this aspect. Belichick would sooner cut you for a comment in a press conference than stand up for you. Rex's players surely believe he'd be next to them in the alley fighting for them if they needed. In fact, he'd seemingly fight for them just to prove he could:</div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n_bXBY7KWTM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n_bXBY7KWTM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><br />
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</div><div>The New York Jets need this kind of personality to break free of the Giants in the headlines (as well as in the national perception as the G-men are now a couple years removed from the play-offs). The Jets-Patriots rivalry needs this kind of personality to provide the perfect contract with Belichick. The fans of other teams need this kind of personality because it's fun to get worked up about meaningless comments in the media. The fans of the Jets need this kind of personality because it's the kind of over-the-top personality that makes a guy magnetic to fans. Most of all the NFL needs characters. There is too much Bill Belichick and not enough Rex Ryan, Bum Phillips, and Jerry Glanville.</div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S20qvvDGBt0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S20qvvDGBt0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fDbFT5nW7oU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fDbFT5nW7oU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Let's not forget where Rex got it from</div><div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yp6rrDWJH00?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yp6rrDWJH00?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div>and that's at a 2007 lesser college all-star game over a decade into retirement.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So do your thing Rex, we need it.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>and now your moment of zen (epic fail edition)</div><div><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IDQScvxHCFw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IDQScvxHCFw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-2953735265366828282010-12-07T19:12:00.000-08:002010-12-07T19:12:52.240-08:0012/7: My CFB Play-Off, Heisman talk & Happy Trails<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MY COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAY-OFF</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPC8JYp3efdiDZReaFWksSqHzkiQ-uWuoGgxGacRxYP_r9MnGe5Jlj1T8raeO5UG2zq075Bo7jU95INA4-dEJTQNsDqYlzgKOHkj_3CpbON4S2rwU2nCOOrurfmRsQGgz7OVWtJWhB3kP/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPC8JYp3efdiDZReaFWksSqHzkiQ-uWuoGgxGacRxYP_r9MnGe5Jlj1T8raeO5UG2zq075Bo7jU95INA4-dEJTQNsDqYlzgKOHkj_3CpbON4S2rwU2nCOOrurfmRsQGgz7OVWtJWhB3kP/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the time of the year we all realize that we have to wait over a month to see the only real play-off of the college football season, but it's just one game. My solution isn't overly complicated, and there are some kinks that would need to be worked out. It may not be perfect, but I do expect to sit back and see the money roll in on this idea shortly.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first round would be the 4 BCS bowl games. The 6 BCS conference champions will have a permanent, traditional bowl destination. 2 non-AQ schools will fill the gaps, with the highest ranked non-AQ facing the lower ranked of the 2 AQ opponents.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second round, the national semi-finals, will be at a location that rotates within the regions of the 3 AQ conferences represented by that semi-final.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third round, the national championship, will be at a location that rotates around the 6 AQ conferences so that the same conference will not select a semi-final and a national title location in the same year.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is how it might look this year</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First Round - Jan 1st/2nd</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ORANGE BOWL: Virginia Tech (ACC) vs Connecticut (Big East)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SUGAR BOWL: Auburn (SEC) vs Nevada (Non-AQ, WAC)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FIESTA BOWL: Oklahoma (Big XII) vs TCU (Non-AQ, Mountain West)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ROSE BOWL: Oregon (Pac-10) vs Wisconsin (Big Ten)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second Round - Jan 7th</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Semi-final #1 (Big East - Tampa)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ORANGE BOWL WINNER vs SUGAR BOWL WINNER</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Semi-final #2 (Big XII - Kansas City)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FIESTA BOWL WINNER vs ROSE BOWL winner</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third Round- Jan 14th</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Championship (Big Ten - Indianapolis)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Semi-final winner #1 vs Semi-final winner #2</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cons</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) It does stretch the season a week longer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would argue that the season stretches across academic semesters already, and that the college baseball play-off takes place entirely when the school is out of session for the summer. So BS to that argument against my plan.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) The incentive for non-conference games amongst the AQ conferences is significantly lower.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I agree this would suck, but the carrot of a locked in slot to the play-off is also what would lure the conferences to support this plan. So, you have a point, but I like mine better.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Travel, who would be able to manage this travel.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever seen the basketball tournament? So BS to that argument.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HEISMAN TALK</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This topic is getting a lot of play right now, so I thought I'd throw out my quick thoughts on the subject.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I understand there is an argument for leaving Cam Newton off of a Heisman ballot. Any so-called "integrity" clause is not something I support, there are simply too many past and current candidates who would be eliminated depending on how the voter feels about this. The argument against including Cam Newton is because you know the NCAA ruled that a violation occurred when Cecil Newton tried to solicit money for Cam during his recruiting process. The argument is that you know full and well that the NCAA ruling on this case is completely inconsistent with past rulings and with common sense. I know people who study and work as lawyers, and none of them say "on behalf of the student-athlete" implies knowledge on the part of the student-athlete. In other words, Cam is ineligible. It doesn't matter that the NCAA ruled otherwise, because they ruled under the pressure of a sure lawsuit if they had ruled the clear Heisman leader and leader of a team on a national title run. You can make your own statement that Cam Newton shouldn't be eligible, and I happen to agree with this statement.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I did vote, which as an Underwriting Technician at a Insurance MGA I obviously don't, this would be my ballot:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Andrew Luck - Stanford QB (the run vs Cal was his Heisman moment, his season said it all)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) LaMichael James - Oregon RB (An amazing season, on a really good team, the biggest cog)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Colin Kaepernick - Nevada QB (Passing: 2,830 yards 20 TD. Rushing: 1,184 yards 20 TD)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAPPY TRAILS</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's time to review what is surely an incomplete list of coaches who have been given the boot this season, with some of the fondest memories.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve Roberts, Arkansas State, 2002-2010 (45-63)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stan Parrish, Ball State, 2008-2010 (6-19)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan Hawkins, Colorado, 2006-2010 (19-39)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bill Lynch, Indiana, 2007-2010 (19-30)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doug Martin, Kent State, 2004-2010 (28-53)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rickey Bustle, Louisiana-Lafayette, 2002-2010 (41-65)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Randy Shannon, Miami (FL), 2007-2010 (28-22)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Go straight to the 1:10 mark</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim Brewster, Minnesota, 2007-2010 (15-30)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Todd Dodge, North Texas, 2007-2010 (6-37)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robbie Caldwell, Vanderbilt, 2010 (2-10)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I JUST FIND THIS PICTURE TOO FUNNY NOT TO INCLUDE</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">34-17, 29-7</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and now, your moment of zen...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bkQ1f85kiME?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bkQ1f85kiME?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-47584313389586855062010-10-24T09:45:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:45:13.313-07:0010/24: My Top 25<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a voter, and don't even pretend to be one. The job is often more mocked than anything else, and ultimately you get more grief than credit. All that said, here is the Top 25 I would submit if I did vote. I have tried my best to give justification for each spot. Think I got something wrong? Let me know. It'd be nice to have some healthy debate on my blog.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Rankings can change week-to-week, a win doesn't necessarily equal staying or moving up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Oregon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pac-10 has been very good this year, and the Ducks are making the rest of the league look stupid so far</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. TCU</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They've been streamrolling people, including Air Force this week (same team that took OU to the limit in regulation).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Auburn</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cam Newton is amazing, but I still think they pass D bites them eventually. Only quality road win opportunity is Iron Bowl.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Utah</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This would be that other Mountain West team no one is talking about, collision course with TCU on the way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Boise St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other teams doing more each week to move up, but just keep winning and others will fall.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Alabama</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know they lost, but their schedule gives them this spot, just ahead of some undefeated teams.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Missouri</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know they just got a huge win vs Oklahoma at home, but need to see more to believe. Schedule before last night was awful.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Michigan St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Northwester is well-coached and coming off a bye, so the comeback is what I like to see in that spot.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Oklahoma</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Road loss doesn't hurt them too much, plus still quality W's on the resume.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. LSU</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LSU being in the game yesterday says how good their D is, a Top 5 D, but bottom 5 O.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Wisconsin</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Huge road win for the Badgers to add to their home win vs Ohio St. L at #8 MSU lone blemish.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Stanford</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only loss is to Oregon, some nice thumpings otherwise, solid team.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Arizona</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only loss was by 2 pts to Oregon St w/Quizz, otherwise solid resume</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. Iowa</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two losses: by 1 vs #11 Wiscosin, by 7 at #13 Arizona. Can't punish too much for those.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. Ohio St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buckeyes have played one team currently ranked, Wisconsin, and they lost. Good at clubbing baby seals though.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. Nebraska</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still very skeptical of Huskers, but a nice road win vs Okie St helps.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17. Florida St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something weird: Noles might end season having played only 1 top 25 team, Oklahoma.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18. Northwestern</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ranking won't last long, but after that kind of effort I can slightly overlook headscratcher against Purdue.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19. Arkansas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two losses both to Top 10 teams, remaining schedule gives plenty of room for resume to grow.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20. South Carolina</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">W over Alabama, W over Georgia looks better now, L at Auburn doesn't hurt, but L at Kentucky does.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21. Baylor</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next two games, at Texas & at Oklahoma St, will be the Show Me games for Bears.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22. Mississippi St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">W over Florida only gives so much credit this year, close game w/UAB gives skepticism, but close L vs Auburn helps.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23. Oklahoma St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday vs Nebraska was first loss, but also first opponent of note.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24. Virginia Tech</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still haven't lost since losing twice to Boise St (loss to JMU counts as other loss to Boise)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25. Illinois</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have 3 L's, but they were vs #7 Missouri, at #8 Michigan St & vs #15 Ohio St. This feels odd, but they look decent.</span><br />
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</span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-24312529752821484712010-09-14T20:40:00.000-07:002010-09-14T20:40:03.549-07:009/14: Week 2 In Review - ACC Sucks, Lattimore Runs Wild, Quack & MORE!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7XQnONkJKZhTl8QV08clkSuNFnhZmSUVeVuMVl4dTNvC6FLl_srsEJnLcHXQEqKvWwVjJamIMkmmlpcwng0Mxj-lQh8lTY6G_GXWy-lzFVVU-U0FM4YnBw7zI5BrkQ38ABXy8SL-XIzt/s1600/acc_championship_game_crowd_view_2007_empty_stadium_jacksonville_altel_acc_sucks_sux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7XQnONkJKZhTl8QV08clkSuNFnhZmSUVeVuMVl4dTNvC6FLl_srsEJnLcHXQEqKvWwVjJamIMkmmlpcwng0Mxj-lQh8lTY6G_GXWy-lzFVVU-U0FM4YnBw7zI5BrkQ38ABXy8SL-XIzt/s320/acc_championship_game_crowd_view_2007_empty_stadium_jacksonville_altel_acc_sucks_sux.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note: Jaguars attendance jokes strictly forbidden</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ACC SUCKS</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm su</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">re there are mort artful ways for me to state it, but the ACC has a weekend so horrifying that "sucks" really is the most accurate way of describing it. Getting housed in a game the league had to see as a way to prop up the conference is bad enough, but to do it twice? Dropping the most-watched game from week 1 was bound to have some hangover effect, but to a 5th place team in the Colonial Athletic Association?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Complete ACC scores:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wake Forest 54, Duke 48 - Can't believe Coach K dropped one after winning it all last year.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kansas 28, #15 Georgia Tech 25 - Jackets are no North Dakota St</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">James Madison 21, #13 Virginia Tech 16 - Biggest victory for ol' Jimmy since the War of 1812.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Boston College 26, Kent St 13 - Wait, BC played a home non-con vs no name team?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#2 Ohio St 36, #12 Miami 24 - Without special teams this game isn't even this close.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#10 Oklahoma 47, #17 Florida St 17 - New head coach, same crappy defense</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Clemson 58, Presbyterian 21 - Really? They gave up 21 to who?!?!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maryland 62, Morgan St 3 - Leave it ol' Ralph to have most comfortable ACC win of the day.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NC St 28, UCF 21 - Wolfpack were actually underdogs per Vegas, says something.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#16 Southern Cal 17, Virginia 14 - UVa might have found their coach, lone good statement for ACC.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There are a lot of weeks to go, but the ACC had to circle this weekend on their calendar when the season began. On the table were opportunities for an seemingly improved FSU squad versus a retooling Oklahoma team, a tough offensive team in Georgia Tech versus a Kansas squad with a coaching change in progress, and the ultra talented Miami Hurricanes versus an Ohio St team lacking enough playmakers. It all ended in disaster.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For the ACC, there's always next year. Maybe then the the teams acquired in recent years will finally step up and perform, but for now they're not ready. The question remains as to when they will be.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">LATTIMORE RUNS WILD</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">South Carolina needed a win, they couldn't afford to lose. It was now or never, if ever. If South Carolina couldn't win with likely their most talented team in the history of the program against the Georgia Bulldogs with a freshman quarterback and their best player suspended, would they ever?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I will start by saying that Georgia appeared to really limit themselves on offense. They didn't want freshman quarterback Aaron Murray to have to feel the weight of the situation in his first SEC contest, on the road no less. Georgia really seemed to ride the rushing attack early and limit the passing playbook, but could only muster yards and very little points early. As the game wore on the Gamecock defense started to be more effective against the Bulldog running game, and so Georgia started going to the air more and more as the game progressed. I came in thinking Murray was overrated from my experience seeing him play in high school, but I came away truly impressed with his play. In his first real game versus a quality defense I think he made some plays that should leave the Georgia faithful optimistic going forward. I expect he will develop, and if he does then there are some good years behind center for the kid. A fumble on a potential scoring drive prevented Murray from having a even better situation in the game, and perhaps he would have had an even better opportunity to show his stuff. As it is his team was simply outplayed by a team with more experience on the field.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Marcus Lattimore. Marcus Lattimore. Marcus Lattimore. Those were the three keys parts of the South Carolina offense, and little else really mattered. A detailed breakdown of just how dominant Lattimore was and how much of a beast he was please see <a href="http://www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks/?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&UID=6076b782-972c-43ee-b7e6-6c16fbce4f12&plckPostId=Blog:6076b782-972c-43ee-b7e6-6c16fbce4f12Post:c117d4f0-82e9-44d8-ae50-a70be8df42fe&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest">the work of Travis Haney of the Charleston Post & Courier</a>. The offensive line seemed to block well for the rushing plays, which may be more Lattimore than them, but on the passing plays there were some costly gaffes. Garcia did much on his own also to prevent the offense from hitting a full, balanced stride. His timing still seems off, with passes lacking the crispness in the plays drawn up. It is something that seems painfully obvious, and something that has to improve if the Gamecocks want to make the kind of statement the rest of the team seems ready to make this season.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This week Furman comes calling, and it's yet another opportunity for "New Carolina" to continue to distance itself from the Ghosts of Carolina Past. A solid win against FU is important, as they are a decent D-IAA team (ranked 24th).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">QUACK</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was all going so well on Rocky Top. Tennessee was controlling the momentum against #7 Oregon with a hard rushing attack and a smothering defense. The score was a slight advantage to Tennessee despite the total dominance on the field. The halftime score was tied up at 13, which had to seem slight disappointing to Vol fans despite an overall feeling of jubilation that their team had played so well when most likely were expecting the worst. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Then came the second half. Oregon showed the explosiveness that is their signature in recent years. It ended in a 35-point win for the Ducks highlighted by some top plays of the week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I draw 3 conclusions from this game:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1) Oregon is really, really good. They are without a doubt one of the few teams voters can safely put into their top ten. If they can navigate conference schedule they even have a shot at a lot more. They were likely thrown of by the weather delay and their atmosphere of the massive monstrosity that is Tennessee's home field, plus there's something about Tennessee's play that I will save for #3.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2) Tennessee is going to struggle even get bowl eligible this season. They are going to struggle to compete with Florida, Alabama, and others. It is what you get with the turmoil, turnover, and thin depth chart that the last few years have brought to Knoxville.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3) Derek Dooley is the right guy for Tennessee. I though he was the right hire back when he was first announced, and saw signs on Saturday that he will indeed succeed in the end. He is a no nonsense guy with a very simple and focused approach to the game. He can win if they give him the time he needs. I think they will, and so will he.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">10 Thoughts of the Week</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) If I hear "I only wanted one more year" from Bobby Bowden, I'm going to pour hot sauce into my eyes.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Michigan-Notre Dame remains a very entertaining game between teams with zero national relevance.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3) That said, Denard Robinson is a very special player, even if no one else on his team is worth a damn.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4) The Miami Hurricanes don't play well when it rains, go figure.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5) If Virginia Tech beats Miami later this season will we decide Boise St is better than Ohio St then?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6) Comparing what Reggie Bush did to what O.J. did is asinine. Just stop, stop it now, you're an idiot.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7) Ole Miss won at Tulane 27-13, which means they do suck, that J'ville St thing wasn't a fluke.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8) Matt Millen is employed for reasons the elude me.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">9) If Dan Mullen had a quarterback, everybody else would be screwed.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10) I say Chris Rainey will be back in a Gator uniform getting carries by the end of October (it's Urban Discipline).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and now, your moment of zen....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8mPnzXTxCWE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8mPnzXTxCWE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-53389496191340029072010-09-07T17:52:00.000-07:002010-09-07T17:52:56.230-07:009/7: Week 1 In Review - Don't Panic, Gamecocks 2-0, Boise 12-0 & MORE!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwbssDSyjhBXa4ghZu_75Rm7sgoJloVPWdR6jYPcaUpD4ohsMXcmOyDh23wve5LYPOxd2fMVvtlO4WNawujIhDZS9Ts_98SspFH11afIwEeGR5tpuGbVGeiVag606JuKK1xCRSxuHBGIm/s1600/panic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwbssDSyjhBXa4ghZu_75Rm7sgoJloVPWdR6jYPcaUpD4ohsMXcmOyDh23wve5LYPOxd2fMVvtlO4WNawujIhDZS9Ts_98SspFH11afIwEeGR5tpuGbVGeiVag606JuKK1xCRSxuHBGIm/s320/panic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't panic, keep calm.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DON'T PANIC!</span></b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's only one week, so unless you are Ole Miss there is no reason to panic. Knee jerk reactions are going to be rampant in all directions, some even different directions on the same game (see: Boise State). A lot of things are still left to settle, and that's why I won't do a Top 25 until after Week 4 has been completed. So let's roll with some thoughts.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GAMECOCKS 2-0</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not often the Gamecocks are 2-0 (including 1-0 in SEC play) after a single week, but thus it is when South Carolina opens with a victory at home and Houston Nutt schedules the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>South Carolina 41, Southern Miss 13</u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following the South Carolina Gamecocks (as an alum) it is often the non-conference opponents that provide the most headaches, and often they are in the game until the bitter end one way or another. This opener vs Southern Mississippi was different. The Gamecocks were able to continually gain yardage, and points, all throughout a game which was never really in doubt.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen Garcia made all the swirling rumors about being outplayed by Connor Shaw a distant memory. This is as it should be, Garcia has been in the system for too long and showed a lot of promise last season. It appears more and more that motivation is just something that Steve Spurrier feels is always necessary with Garcia (perhaps the Blake Mitchell Experience is another reason for this).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest surprise of the game for me was the contribution of Marcus Lattimore and Ace Sanders. Lattimore was such a heralded recruit that perhaps it isn't right to be so surprised, but scoring two touchdowns does seem a bit beyond the expectations of anyone. Sanders was more of a surprise as he was able to make a nice catch in the game and produce a huge play on a reverse he ran to the right side of the line. I saw Sanders in high school during the FHSAA State Championships, and he was small compared to other high school players. It's not unusual for a small guy with speed to contribute, but for Carolina this is something new.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot of confidence has to be felt going into this weekend's game at home vs Georgia, but really there is so little anyone truly knows about either of these two teams. It should be another classic game in an underrated rivalry between border states.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd8z-f3qi6vx0pWXdeIvvdGf8GoJtkS23Mi7zCVrfQldM3F4PWBF4YRtNkossjmrRSRUYMdNwurFdttTgCvEvDUEyBzLTnf-rBiWUgsJruvZgRL60c5QI4n0mh70XoZ1HN774lNX_IC2Q/s1600/houstonnuttPASS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd8z-f3qi6vx0pWXdeIvvdGf8GoJtkS23Mi7zCVrfQldM3F4PWBF4YRtNkossjmrRSRUYMdNwurFdttTgCvEvDUEyBzLTnf-rBiWUgsJruvZgRL60c5QI4n0mh70XoZ1HN774lNX_IC2Q/s320/houstonnuttPASS.gif" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Jacksonville St 49, Ole Miss 48, 2OT</u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Houston Nutt must really have something against job security. I had already picked the Rebels to go 3-9 (0-8 SEC) before the season started due to what I perceived as overall uncertainty about the team that even the team itself had to feel. Then they blew a fourth quarter 31-13 lead vs the Jacksonville State Gamecocks of Div-IAA (or FCS, if you prefer).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was embarrassing for the SEC, but can't really be considered shocking when you consider that Houston Nutt is a crazy person, between bouts of being really good at coaching. Consecutive Cotton Bowl berths followed by a home loss to a Div-IAA team, that's a trademark Houston Nutt moment.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said, I now predict they will beat LSU again this year, because that would just make no sense at all (which in Houston Nutt Opposite World makes total sense).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BOISE 12-0</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I guess in one game Boise has clinched a berth in the National Title Game? Actually, not so much. Boise will have to go undefeated and hope that there are no more than one undefeated BCS conference champions and/or 1-loss SEC champion in the discussion. The strength of schedule will weigh heavily against the Broncos, but their resume in the last 5 years or so allows them to be in the discussion unlike any other non-BCS conference team.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do they deserve it? I don't know for sure, but I also can't say for sure they don't deserve it. I know Boise gets months to prepare for their opener and bowl games, but so does the opposition. You're telling me Oregon, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma didn't take the Broncos seriously? I think Boise would be a 10-win BCS conference champion, but I also cannot state that as fact. You also cannot factually dispute my belief either.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boise will have some tough games left. Oregon St is one of the truly underrated programs in the NCAA, and should give Boise a stiff challenge without weeks to prepare. Fresno St is always a respectable team that plays decent non-conference games where they acquit themselves well. Don't sleep on Nevada either, as they lose in Boise by a mere 11 points last season and now get the Broncos in Reno and off the Smurf Turf.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If they win all their games, most of the impressively, they deserve to be thought of in the same realm as an 11-1 Big Ten champion in my mind.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10 RANDOM THOUGHTS</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Florida State looked impressive, but against who again?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Even when he does nothing wrong Les Miles gets end-of-game disaster moments.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Virginia Tech will likely run off seven wins in a row before they play Georgia Tech.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Turner Gil losing 6-3 to North Dakota St is nothing to panic about. First game, new regime.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Oklahoma always seems to struggle out the gate, so lets not make anything of Utah St.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Michigan look good, still not buying it until they play someone, if they ever do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Oregon won't put up 72 vs Tennessee, but it will be ugly this weekend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Nike is totally screwing up college football with these awful jerseys so far.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Florida will beat South Florida, but if they struggle there'll be issues down the line</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Best game no one will watch this week? Auburn at Mississippi St (on Thursday of NFL opener)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and now, your moment of zen...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Q0e1qqQo40?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Q0e1qqQo40?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-67179051460608798182010-08-31T16:26:00.000-07:002010-08-31T16:26:16.341-07:008/31: My 2010 College Football Predictions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(font size appropriate to media hype and recent BCS success)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>EAST</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Florida 10-2 (6-2): </b>I know they're replacing a lot, but it's hard to see too many programs in the East knocking off Florida this season. For each of the remaining Eastern division teams I will explain my hesitation. Florida isn't going to rebuild, they're going to reload with as much talent as they had last year. Experience will cost this team a chance at more than SEC success, but they'll be a force for national title hopes in 2011.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LOSSES: 10/2 @ Alabama, 10/16 vs Mississippi St</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACloEHyXp9RxorHugpeDO_WQs6K1d_e9D_X9usObomU4a4588sgoZVSihmyIFuPHAxbR8sOKaV-3ThAj7GLrYWMV1KUDOe-glIKnQkdhrRfD_HE3XMF05NiMBwJvS7JevqrxKIgQ_XZAf/s1600/Tim-Tebow-Denver-Broncos-OTAs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACloEHyXp9RxorHugpeDO_WQs6K1d_e9D_X9usObomU4a4588sgoZVSihmyIFuPHAxbR8sOKaV-3ThAj7GLrYWMV1KUDOe-glIKnQkdhrRfD_HE3XMF05NiMBwJvS7JevqrxKIgQ_XZAf/s320/Tim-Tebow-Denver-Broncos-OTAs.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Look! It's Tim Tebow! And Brady Quinn! They were so good in college...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>2. South Carolina 9-3 (5-3): </b>I know this is probably a biased pick, but I really think this team is capable of having a great season with all the turmoil in the division. It would take a big leap forward to contend with Florida, but the talent is there. The schedule isn't especially good or bad for a run, but it does set up for a possible 4-0 going into the Auburn/Alabama stretch if they can beat Georgia.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LOSSES: 9/25 @ Auburn, 10/9 vs Alabama, 11/13 @ Florida</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>3. Georgia 8-4 (5-3):</b> Georgia is facing turnover at defensive coordinator and quarterback, which in these cases are good things. I saw Aaron Murray in high school and remain skeptical that he will match the hype he garnered (thought his receivers were able to make him look better than he was, which is not typical in high school). I don't see the kind of season that will relieve the pressure Mark Richt is starting to feel, but I think it will be a step in the right direction if their defense can regain competence.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LOSSES: 9/11 @ S Carolina, 9/18 vs Arkansas, 10/30 vs Florida, 11/27 vs Georgia Tech</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>4. Kentucky 7-5 (3-5):</b> Rich Brooks finished out his tenure at Kentucky with 4-consecutive bowl seasons for the Wildcats. The transition to Joker Phillips was planned in such a manner that there shouldn't be a noticeable decline outside of pure leadership. I feel like it's going out on a limb, but my predictions for Kentucky aren't changed by Brooks retiring. Randall Cobb is still really good, so Kentucky still puts together a good season. Hey, they should be able to finally beat Tennessee, which might be reason enough for celebration.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LOSSES: 9/25 @ Florida, 10/9 vs Auburn, 10/16 vs S Carolina, 10/23 vs Georgia, 10/30 @ Miss St</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>5. Tennessee 5-7 (2-6):</b> Long-term I think Derek Dooley will succeed at Tennessee with his no-nonsense approach, but it will be rough dealing with being the third coach in three years in Knoxville. I expect the offense to try to slow the game down and for the defense to be respectable, but in far too many games they are going to struggle. Really the season might not be much worse than it was last year under Kiffin, but some of those fluke games might not come around this year. I like Dooley, but I don't like Tennessee this season.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LOSSES: 9/11 vs Oregon, 9/18 vs Florida, 10/2 @ LSU, 10/9 @ Georgia, 10/23 vs Alabama, 10/20 @ S Carolina, 11/27 vs Kentucky</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>6. Vanderbilt 2-10 (1-7): </b>Robbie Caldwell took SEC Media Days by storm, and instantly became my second-favorite coach in the SEC. He even started a Twitter account recently that is a must-follow. The problem is that the Commodores struggled last year and really have little reason to expect improvement. Vanderbilt does manage to schedule a tougher out of conference slate than most (Northwestern, at UConn, & Wake Forest), which doesn't help their cause. Enjoy Robbie Caldwell now, he won't last... unfortunately.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">WINS: 9/18 @ Ole Miss, 10/9 vs Eastern Michigan</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>WEST</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. Auburn 10-2 (6-2): <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Auburn last year had a more successful season than most expected. Gene Chizik seemed to prove his struggles at Iowa St were not indicative of his abilities to coach football, which is good for Auburn after the PR disaster they suffered when they hired him. This season you would expect some improvement, but the schedule gives you reason for more optimism. Auburn is likely the be favored in at least 9 of their games. Their toughest games are at home, their road games are their easiest. I have them winning tie-breakers to go to Atlanta.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">LOSSES: 11/13 vs Georgia, 11/27 @ Alabama</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. LSU 10-2 (6-2):<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> There's just a feeling I have that Les Miles is going to have a good season. I don't think I'm the only one, but their late-season swoons in recent seasons have made them look worse than they were all year. I think LSU can thrive this season with the schedule they have, and this just seems like a team ready to rebound. They just better hope their season doesn't come down to a last-second clock management issue.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">LOSSES: 10/9 @ Florida, 10/23 @ Auburn</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. Alabama 10-2 (6-2): <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I know what you're thinking, "A third 10-2 SEC West team?". You'd be right, I'm probably crazy, but I think the power struggle in the west results in three 10-win teams and no claim to a team in the national title game. Alabama will be good, and it would not shock me at all if they won the whole thing again. I just think it's too tough to repeat, especially in what will be a great division of the nation's best conference.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">LOSSES: 9/25 @ Arkansas, 11/6 @ LSU</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Mississippi State 7-5 (4-4): <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Dan Mullen did a lot in just his first season to inspire confidence amongst the cowbell-ringing faithful in Starkville. They finished just shy of a bowl-berth despite a complete coaching transition and offensive change. I expect their defense to be improved, and I expect the offense to only improve with experience in the system. I definitely like their game this year at Florida, remembering they put a scare into the Gators last year. That's my off-the-wall game pick of this preview.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">LOSSES: 9/11 vs Auburn, 9/18 @ LSU, 9/25 vs Georgia, 10/9 @ Houston, 11/13 @ Alabama</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. Arkansas 8-4 (4-4):<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> The Hogs are a trendy pick amongst many to make some noise in the SEC West this season. My problem with Arkansas is their inability to defend, which there is no reason to indicate will change this season. Ryan Mallet might be the best quarterback in college football this season, but their defense is too much of a question to mark to expect more than a 8 or 9 win season.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">LOSSES: 10/16 @ Auburn, 11/6 @ S Carolina, 11/20 @ Miss St, 11/27 vs LSU</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. Ole Miss 3-9 (0-8):<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> This is the team I expect will overturn my prediction, because that's what Houston Nutt does. Their QB situation became more muddled today as Jeremiah Masoli was declared ineligible, pending appeal the Rebels will lack anything at the quarterback position. Dexter McCluster is the biggest loss for Ole Miss, but I have learned by now not to predict a Houston Nutt team and expect them to fulfill my prediction.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">WINS: 9/4 vs Jacksonville St, 9/11 @ Tulane, 11/6 vs Louisiana-Lafayette</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Auburn 27, Florida 16</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVERYBODY ELSE</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ACC: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Virginia Tech over Maryland</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I picked this the only way possible, by flipping a coin. I think that's how they actually decide the ACC title game anyway. The of this conference is too extreme to use normal tactics.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Big XII:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> Nebraska over Oklahoma</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I like both these teams, and this game is likely to have a large say in who plays for a national title. In this case I expect Nebraska to be the spoiler.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Big East: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Pittsburgh</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I know this is the trendy pick, but I really do like them this year. If they can navigate their tough schedule they could even play for the title, but the road schedule just seems too tough.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Big Ten: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Iowa</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Most have Ohio St, but I can see that the Hawkeyes get the Buckeyes in Iowa City. Examine the schedule, it's made for them to make a serious run.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pac-10:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> Arizona</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Southern Cal will be the best team, but with NCAA sanctions the title and BCS bid will go to the Wildcats.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r4x_zXxujdOUKWi_O9FVqQOO4OE95kgP0UmxSjeleDDVh0tuNYWt_sdVHjfltSTwY5AWw8gaSIRordwKzwpKmVsutk28GZcgUOfY2MVwg5N7NeRFEDEGy6K7AcQx8O0k88yyAfyE0Tfj/s1600/bcsmoneylogo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r4x_zXxujdOUKWi_O9FVqQOO4OE95kgP0UmxSjeleDDVh0tuNYWt_sdVHjfltSTwY5AWw8gaSIRordwKzwpKmVsutk28GZcgUOfY2MVwg5N7NeRFEDEGy6K7AcQx8O0k88yyAfyE0Tfj/s320/bcsmoneylogo1.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BCS BOWL GAMES</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Orange: </b>Virginia Tech vs Pittsburgh</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The ACC winner vs the Big East winner, neither title-worthy.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Sugar:</b> Auburn vs Oklahoma</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Auburn wins SEC, but at 10-2 no title game. Oklahoma derailed in Big XII title game by Nebraska, but gets BCS at-large consolation prize.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Fiesta: </b>Nebraska vs Alabama</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nebraska finishes their Big XII tenure by playing a tradition-inspired Fiesta Bowl vs at-large Tide.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Rose:</b> Arizona vs Ohio St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pac-10 champ Wildcats face at-large Buckeyes still smarting from loss to Iowa.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>BCS Title Game: </b>Iowa vs Boise State</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The National Title Game The Ushers Us Closer To A Play-Off. Iowa goes 12-0 in Big Ten and faces undefeated Boise St with no other contender with less than 2 losses.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And now, your moment of zen...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-28944382617111380412010-08-03T20:24:00.000-07:002010-08-03T20:24:41.603-07:008/3: TUESDAY TOP 25: THINGS I MISS ABOUT COLLEGE FOOTBALL<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the 2010 college football season approaches there are many things we all look forward to: people, places, games, stadiums, and so much more. I thought a good start to my college football blogging for 2010 would be to list off the top 25 things I miss about college football during the off-season. Feel free to share your own.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always I will do a fair mix of serious and joking (by that I mean many jokes). I hope you enjoy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#25: CapitalOne Mascot Commercials</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those commercials seem to go on and on all season long, but when they're gone I miss them terribly. It's just something I associate with college football too strongly to not miss. Here's one such commercial:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rRxHQap-ssY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rRxHQap-ssY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#24: Ed Orgeron</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, Coach O is amongst the ranks of the hated Lane Kiffin now at Southern Cal, but I don't miss Orgeron because of any sense of virtue or ethics. I miss Coach O because he makes Ron Zook seem apathetic and calm by comparison. On a serious note it is worth reading <i>Meat Market</i> (a book by Bruce Feldman of ESPN which chronicles recruiting as seen primarily through the eyes of Orgeron and his staff while at Ole Miss). Orgeron can recruit and was a horrible failure during his short tenure in Oxford leading the Rebels, but he inspired the best YouTube video in the history of Ole Miss football:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/txlOreGZ4oo&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/txlOreGZ4oo&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#23: Penn State "White Out" Games</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Penn State has developed what has every appearance of the best current student section for TV in college football. The massive stadium and general sports-centric nature of the area dictate that they are passionate, and the costumes remind you strongly of the 70's Steelers fan followings for a reason. It is worth noting that the prominence of white at a Penn State home game is really not a challenge. In fact, nobody in the below video needed body paint or even clothing to give off this appearance:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gZxxh1TeXcU&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gZxxh1TeXcU&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#22: Tom O'Brien's "Prevent Offense"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tom O'Brien, current head coach at NC State and former head coach of Boston College, has the outward personality of your average tax collector. O'Brien also has a penchant for coaching teams with the offensive philosophy of your average high school coach, the one that runs the ball on 3rd & 15 to the dismay of the entire stadium. His playbook is so close to the vest that it is digging deeply into his spine. I always smile when I flip through and watch NC State run a draw on 3rd & 19 down 14-9 in the fourth quarter. It is a thing of absolute abject horror, but I get a laugh every time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#21: Fight Songs</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In few sports are their truly songs that epitomize and unite the fan bases, but college football has many. Notre Dame's Victory March, Michigan's Hail to the Victors, or Southern Cal's Fight On are just a sampling of songs you immediately identify with the university and its fans. I admit to being kind of a freak with these, as I know the song and sometimes lyrics of entirely too many of these fight songs. This doesn't even take into account songs like Rocky Top at Tennessee which are only spirit songs, and not actually fight songs. Of course these unifying songs sometimes get turned completely around, I'm particularly biased towards this parody:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bI9i4IqeOcY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bI9i4IqeOcY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#20: Weekday Garbage Games</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the rest of the year I know there are games littered throughout the week of less significance for every sport, but only for college football do I watch. It could be Hawaii at Louisiana Tech, Florida Atlantic at Western Kentucky, Bowling Green at Miami (OH), or any possible combination of teams from conference that don't matter and who combined will end the season with 4 wins. I will watch. Some beauties this year include: Troy at MTSU, UAB at UCF, UCF at Marshall, Buffalo at Ohio, Toledo at Northern Illinois, and Florida State at NC State.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#19: Lou Holtz & Mark May Rambling Past Midnight</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honestly don't usually stay up very late on weekends unless I'm out and about, which is rare. One time of the year I stay up late every Saturday is during college football season. The reason is for the late night college football recap show with Rece Davis, Mark May & Lou Holtz. They've been giving you picks and highlights since noon, but they're still at into early Sunday morning. You really don't know how Holtz manages to keep it up so late at his age, but then you see this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iQmRzFeXG8U&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iQmRzFeXG8U&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#18: Virginia Tech's Entrance</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For biased reasons this is my second favorite entrance in college football, but just watch it and enjoy it:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jjJolf1IBPA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jjJolf1IBPA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#17: Dan Hawkins</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan Hawkins, current head coach at Colorado and former head coach at Boise State, is a bit different. He came in sounding a different tune from your average college football coach, and seemed to be headed for success in Boulder after a successful stint in Boise. Things aren't going well and Hawkins would likely be fired by now if not for salary and buy-out reasons. So expect more moments like this in his final season as head coach of the Buffs:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/je-gpy6Y_UA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/je-gpy6Y_UA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#16: Kegs & Eggs Kick-Offs</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a tradition my boss at work told me about, he's an Ohio St fan from Ohio, regarding what to call a noon game. I would guess this is a phrase more common to Big Ten football than any other, since most other conferences avoid noon kick-offs unless television slots require it. In the Big Ten the only time games don't kick-off at noon is when television slots require a later kick-off. I admit that I enjoy these games, especially the traditional Big Ten game on ESPN2 with whatever top-flight crew they put on it this year. The Big Ten does its best to fill the void of noon kick-offs, and I assume their students and fans have gotten used to a solid Saturday morning breakfast of eggs, bacon and Natty Light.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#15: Lee Corso Getting Senile</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The clown-like analyst, and formerly near total failure as a coach, Lee Corso has always relished the role as the crazy guy with gestures, catch phrases and mascot heads. He is reviled in some corners of college football fandom (Columbia, SC being one example) and is generally going to piss you off at some point during the season. Now comes the added entertainment that he is literally starting to lose it, and it's no longer just an act. I do offer some genuine sympathy as his health seems to have taken a turn last season, but overall I do not hold any ill-will either as I understand his schtick. This moment was his biggest slip last year, but expect more this season:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="660"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3CqC8l787ts&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3CqC8l787ts&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#14: Wisconsin's "Jump Around"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wisconsin is amongst the Big Ten schools with a very energetic and involved student section. They actually have a Fifth Quarter when the band takes the field and plays after the game is over and the students along with fans have fun with it, but the most entertaining moment is what happens between the 3rd and 4th quarters. It is simply a great moment of college football spirit:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hcEbS6coz_c&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hcEbS6coz_c&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#13: Bill Stewart Talking</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really couldn't find a good video for this unfortunately, but be certain that Bill Stewart is an entertaining sumbitch to listen to when he is talking. He is West Virginia in every way. What makes it fun is the that means he with his drawl is funny, unassuming, modest, proud of his state, and trashed as anything on moonshine most of the time he gets a chance to talk. It is probable that he would be amongst the top ten coaches in terms of people you could get along with, but also that he truly is a state treasure for West Virginia.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#12: JoePa's Glasses</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe Paterno garners a higher combination of respect and comedy than any other coach currently in college football. That's what happens when you're a college football coach in 2010 who can recall getting a congratulatory phone call about his football team from the White House... in the Nixon Administration:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xKfpiN4a4dk&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xKfpiN4a4dk&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#11: "The Right Reverend" Houston Nutt</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only is Ole Miss coach, formerly Arkansas coach, Houston Nutt one of the craziest coaches ever, but he also happens to make his fans upset more than any other. He's the coach that everyone loves, until they realize that they will never get past a certain point with him at the helm. Arkansas found that out and eventually fan pressure resulted in Nutt bolting for Ole Miss, keeping in mind he is an alum of Arkansas. The Rebel faithful may eventually reach this point with "The Right Reverend", but until then it will be fun to watch them disintegrate to the point the Hog fans did a few year back:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0d4mVHDtkK4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0d4mVHDtkK4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#10: The "Dirty" FSN Pac-10 Game of the Week</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is another guilty pleasure of mine that shall not otherwise be mentioned. What better than announcers who I've never heard before calling games I honestly wouldn't care about if it weren't 11:50PM on Saturday night and College Football Final doesn't start for another forty minutes. Be it Washington St at UCLA, Arizona St at Oregon St, or UCLA at Washington, this game is good enough for me even if it isn't good enough for 3:30 ABC or earlier on FSN. Defense is usually optional, and rarely does anyone care about the outcome. It's 11:50PM and I want more football.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#9: Texas/Nebraska</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, so this otherwise would not be on the list, but it is this year. This one-time only item on the list is here because of the downright venom that should ooze from this game at every orifice. Nebraska is leaving the Big XII for the Big Ten because they know Texas and the other South Division schools will never allow Nebraska to achieve the equality they will get in the Big Ten. Texas is getting their conference at a lower prestige level due to this exit. Expect hatred to a level unseen in what should be the last game of this rivalry.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#8: The Wannstache</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dave Wannstedt had mediocre runs in the NFL as a head coach, but the Pittsburgh alum has come back to get a very nice run started for the Pitt Panthers. He knocked rival West Virginia out of a national title run. He also has the best 'stache in the business, the Wannstache:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="660"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BmIsIuL1sYA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BmIsIuL1sYA&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#7: Les Miles on Clock Management</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Les Miles might be the least competent coach to ever win a national title, and it worth noting he lost to overtime games that season. He also has an incredible ability to call plays that make absolutely no sense whatsoever, which worked mostly during his title run. It hasn't worked as much at other times, including this beauty which shall be considered his masterpiece:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MEgQMU4kC-4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MEgQMU4kC-4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#6: "Sandstorm"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a couple consecutive items I will show my absolute bias. This is something that really just began, too early to call a tradition, at South Carolina. I love it, but it needs not be overdone. I was at this game vs Ole Miss (ranked #4 at the time) when I saw how powerful it could be:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="660"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pgzglPK6dZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pgzglPK6dZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#5: "2001"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The entrance of the team at South Carolina:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#4: Verne & Gary</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Part 1 of 2 on my love for The SEC on CBS I bring you Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson, who get genuinely whacky at times. Danielson actually brings sound analysis to other outlets when brought on, but the two together go the way of hero worship. Most notably they even joked about their own Tebow love on air to the amusement of many, including me. Here's one example of the kind of whacky chemistry these two have:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#3: The CBS College Football Intro</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hearing this is when I know college football has begun, because it signals the first weekend of SEC football every fall. After it is over the words "Hello, Uncle Verne" typically escape my lips. Let it wash over you:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#2: Rivalries</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In college football there are rivalries. Some rivalries reach across the country, Notre Dame vs Southern Cal, but most are brought on geographic proximity or Big Ten membership. The Egg Bowl. The Iron Bowl. The Civil War. The Big Game. The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The Old Oaken Bucket. Rivalry never dies.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#1: Sloth</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 1) Wake up in time for ESPN College Gameday (9:45AM)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 2) Turn on ESPN</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3) As noon approaches, grab complete day of games TV schedule</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 4) At noon begin keeping the channel on the best available game of live action</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 5) At midnight flip between end of dirty Pac-10 game and College Football Final</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 6) Pass out when either a) tired from the day or b) too drunk to stay awake</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 step plans are for quitters, my plan for greatness gets it done in 6.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and now your moment of zen...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/E8dxvwG5BVY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/E8dxvwG5BVY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></div>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-89279552833322343632010-05-11T16:19:00.000-07:002010-05-11T16:19:13.325-07:005/11: Unwritten Rules Are Unwritten For A Reason<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dallas Braden: Defender of the Unwritten Rules of Baseball</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We all now know Oakland pitcher Dallas Braden as the guy who threw the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300509111">19th perfect game</a> in the history of Major League Baseball. He did so against the best team, by winning percentage (minimum 30 games), to ever be thrown a perfect game. The Tampa Bay Rays are still the best team in baseball by record, but on Sunday they were kept off the base paths for 9 full innings of baseball.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before Sunday he had gotten off to a good start this year, a 3-2 record with a 4.14 ERA, but was most known for his spat with Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez over an unwritten rule of baseball. Braden felt the unwritten rule was broken when Rodriguez walked over the mound during a game he was pitching. Rodriguez passed off Braden's claim by calling him out a joke, questioning if he was good to enough to be talking smack to one of the superstars of the sport.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Since that game Rodriguez has seen his <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?playerId=3115">batting average drop from .315 to .200, slugging percentage drop from .593 to .400, and OPS from 1.032 to .600</a>. Braden has not only thrown that <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28749">perfect game, but also had a solid 7-inning appearance vs Texas</a> giving up 3 ER. So funny enough Braden has seemed to step up his game following the very public bout with Rodriguez, while the Yankee slugger has slumped a bit since the controversy.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The best part of the story is that Braden threw the perfect game on Mother's Day. It's the best part because Braden's mother died when he was young and was raised by his grandmother. Braden hugged his grandmother on the field in a scene that brought tears to Braden, his grandmother, and any human being who can even remotely fathom the emotion of the moment.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh yea, and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5175924">his grandmother said "Stick It, A-Rod."</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Unwritten Rule Broken During the Perfecto?</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Through four innings Braden had yet to give up a run, a hit, a walk, an error, a hit batter, or anything resulting in a batter reaching base. In other words, he was perfect through four. The A's were ahead 4-0, nothing insurmountable by normal standards of offense, obviously in this case it was a bit tougher.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The deeper a pitcher goes into a no-hitter or a perfect game the more you start to believe it will happen. The longer it goes the more each inning, each at bat, and each pitch reach a feverish intensity. More people flip over on their satellite or internet package to see the game progressing. Eventually ESPN will cut into programming if it keeps going.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It wasn't that far into the game yet, the fifth inning was not the time to start thinking it was for real. It was also time for Tampa to try to get something started. So to lead off the top of the fifth Rays third baseman Evan Longoria attempted to bunt. It was nearly perfect, but rolled foul.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another unwritten rule of baseball is to not attempt to bunt to break up a no-hitter or a perfect game. Who says so? Well, <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1041">Bob Brenley for one</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now the commentary...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>They're unwritten for a reason</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The unwritten rules are unwritten because they'd laugh you out of the building if you wrote them down.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another unwritten rule of baseball is that you don't swing at the first pitch after a pitcher has given up back to back home runs. Which I'm sure would be called for when you're trailing 4-3 in the eight inning. I'd still say you should ignore this rule in any situation, but the rules don't allow for situations in this case.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Braden's public shouting match with Rodriguez over pitching mound was something entirely revolving around respect. No advantage was gained, only respect not shown. It's clear Rodriguez was either unaware or unconcerned about this unwritten rule. Braden clearly took the rule seriously. The real issue was that the slugging third baseman chose the route of ad homenim attack against Braden. What became clear was that Rodriguez didn't respect Braden, the pitching mound being almost secondary to his verbal trashing of Braden.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is likely most people chose their sides based on how they felt about Rodriguez. If you think he's a disrespectful prick, you added this to the list. The few of you who don't think that are probably Yankee fans.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The respectful thing would've been to avoid the pitching mound, and it's unlikely this rule will be broken again anytime soon. It's not like it's come up in a while anyway, as most of the baseball public were unaware this was even an unwritten rule. Yet we would still not do it because it seems like the wrong thing to do.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As for Longoria's bunt attempt, it's like Herman Edwards says:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Rays bunted for a hit <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/split.cgi?team=TBR&t=b&year=2009">20 times in 2009</a>, and have already done so <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/split.cgi?t=b&team=TBR&year=2010">5 times in 2010</a> (keep in mind the fastest player, Carl Crawford, doesn't bunt because he's terrible at it, so none of those are him). They thrive on using speed to bunt and steal their way onto and around the bases. Their strategy shouldn't change just because there's a perfect game in affect. In fact, that they had yet to get on base should increase their desire to use just such a strategy.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It wasn't that late into the game, and it was a normal strategy for the Rays. This isn't the slugging Yankees we're talking about, but the speedy Rays.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A bunt is a perfectly legal and legitimate play, so you can't decide it's not depending on the situation.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To me this rule says this: You might as well just let the bat rest on your shoulder, take three strikes, and walk back to the dugout.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's the pitcher's job to pitch, the fielder's job to field, and the hitter's job to hit. They are to do so however they have to within the rules. The written ones that is, because those are the ones for winners. Losers can sit idly and observe the unwritten rules, until they are fired or demoted to be replace by a winner.</span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-16732905099035515522010-04-17T15:09:00.000-07:002010-04-17T15:09:07.712-07:004/17: My 2010 NFL Draft Spectacular<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One week from now we will be wrapping up the 2010 NFL Draft. So here's my preview spectacular.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NFL Draft vs Fantasy Football Draft</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Which is better, the NFL Draft or your fantasy football draft?</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is actually question for anyone who looks forward to fantasy football. Both events are looked forward to all year, and both are usually are a reason to congregate and consume tasty adult beverages in mass quantity. Here's my breakdown of each aspect to get a good idea of which is truly the best.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Length</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NFL Draft- In the old format it lasted 2 days (Sat & Sun) and included 7 rounds, but this year it will last three days (Thu, Fri & Sat). The reason is that even the late round has a time limit of 5 minutes, totally unimaginable to fantasy football where picks have to move quicker.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fantasy drafts- Usually completed in 3 hours or so and have over 10 rounds. Last year the draft I participated in had 17 rounds for the 10 teams.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Advantage: Fantasy draft, because everybody hates the lag between picks in the NFL Draft.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>In-Draft Analysis</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NFL Draft- Broken down as it happens by crews of ESPN and the NFL Network. ESPN usually has Chris Berman leading the coverage and they feature Mel "The Hair" Kiper, Jr engaging in shouting matches with Todd McShay. NFL Network has Rich Eisen lead coverage with Mike Mayock single-handedly providing the Kiper/McShay role of an evaluator.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fantasy drafts- Broken down by your buddies as they snicker that you reached for Matt Ryan in the 5th round (8th QB) when Matt Schaub was still on the board. Ok, so that was me, but honestly it seemed smart at the time.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Advantage: NFL Draft, because I honestly enjoy Kiper and McShay throwing chairs at each other. Worth noting I'd give late round analysis advantage to fantasy drafts as ESPN & NFLN are still discussion first round during last three rounds.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>In-Draft Alcohol Consumption</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NFL Draft- We are all at home watching the draft, and there are some great NFL Draft drinking games at there: This one from 2008 would get your drunk in 15 minutes off the first three rules -> <a href="http://argersmockdraft.blogspot.com/2008/04/draft-drinking-game.html">link</a>. Here's an update for 2010 -> <a href="http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?s=2bdab634e74f9ad667329700290917e2&showtopic=528080">link</a>.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fantasy draft- You drink, but now you have to drink and make picks in the draft. This should be an added challenge for consideration of the NFL Draft. Impose drinking game rules in the war rooms. I think we can all assume this was what <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBdHJNKFpD8">Jerry Jones was thinking when he did some testing of this rule recently</a>.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Advantage- Fantasy draft, because it's more fun when alcohol makes some guy call out "Tom Brady!" in round 11.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"What the hell was that?" Factor</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NFL Draft- Two words: Oakland Raiders.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fantasy drafts- You know the guy I'm talking about, last year for my league we had a guy with the team name "BUD LITE BROWNS". He took 3 QBs: Peyton Manning in the 1st round, Jay Cutler in the 4th round, and Mark Sanchez in the 16th round. We played in a 1 QB format. He also took Sammy Morris in the 13th round when the following were all still available: Ahmad Bradshaw, Leon Washington, LeSean McCoy, Willis McGahee, Chester Taylor, and Laurence Maroney (who was ahead of Morris on the same team's depth chart).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Advantage: NFL Draft, because taking JaMarcus Russell 1st & Darrius Heyward-Bey 7th is still crazier.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Winner: Fantasy draft, but not by much.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jaguars Draft Discussion</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jacksonville picks 10th in the draft due to a poor finish to the 2009 season. Here are the most likely choices for the Jaguars at this pick:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama: </i>I hear a lot that he is a someone the Jags like, but it is doubtful he's be at the top of the value board at 10. Remember, Jags now believe in BAP (best available player) in draft strategy. In college he was a leader and a big time player for the Crimson Tide. Another question is if he fits the scheme in Jacksonville.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Eric Berry, S, Tennessee: </i>It is doubtful he is still on the board at this point, but if he is I think back flips would be appropriate on my part. He's got the potential to be the next Ed Reed. Could be the best player in the draft, depending on your evaluation. It would be hard to not like him if he's there.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Earl Thomas, S, Texas: </i>Some rank him higher than Berry at safety, Mike Mayock of NFL Network is one, and he appears to have a lot of potential. The reason he's been moving up the charts is that he showed in his combine that he has better movement and ability to turn than expected. He might be better than Berry with less hype.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech: </i>Instant improvement to the pass rush, but the hesitation is whether or not he can effectively stop the run. Keep in mind Jags could still use more help in the pass rush. I like improving the defense here, especially the horrendous pass rush from 2009.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: </i>This is an intriguing thought, because Jacksonville has invested much money and PR making Maurice Jones-Drew the face of the franchise. This would be a lot to pay your 2nd running back. I'm inclined to think this would be a bad idea, but it's very possible he will be the best available player.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame: </i>Clausen is likely to get the most interest from a live drama standpoint. He could go in the Top 10 or he could fall to the mid-20's. There is a great degree of debate as to his abilities. He played in a pro-style offense in college and got better each year. Still there is some hesitation regarding him that is hard to pinpoint. I'm not particularly high on him, but I've been wrong before and all.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Joe Haden, CB, Florida: </i>Being a Gator is a big plus for the marketing side, but there are concerns. I think he'd be ok, but I'm also highly suspicious that the treatment he has gotten from Jags front office personnel is to make good with the locals. I don't expect them to take him.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Offensive lineman who drops: </i>If one of the OL than we expect to go Top 10 drops then Jacksonville might be in a position to further improve their offensive line, which was a big area of weakness two years ago with improvement last year. The argument against it is they took OL in 1st & 2nd round last year, but that's not a good reason to avoid further strengthening the unit and getting it younger. The Jets worked wonders with multiple 1st rd OL.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Trade down: </i>This isn't so much a choice as a possibility. It would be the best thing for the Jaguars, as they could get more players in a draft considered to be loaded with talent.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For further info look at these great sources of information regarding the Jags in the draft:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://jacksonville.com/jaguars">Florida Times-Union</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Big Cat Country</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.jaguars.com/news/Category.aspx?category=Ask_Vic">Jaguars Official Site</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Mock Draft</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I did a mock draft, because everybody ends up wrong. Here it is, bash it!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. St Louis Rams</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We all know it now, but unless the trade down this is where they're going</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. Detroit Lions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think he is the best player in the draft, only going 2nd because he's not a QB</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most seem to reinforce this, but they need to improve everywhere and he's the best available</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Washington Redskins</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not a fan of drafting for need, but they need OL badly and he's also damn good</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. Kansas City Chiefs</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bryan Baluga, OT, Iowa</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There are concerns, but their OL needs help and he is evaluated well (most likely to drop out of Top 10)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. Seattle Seahawks</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eric Berry, S, Tennessee</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is where you have to take the best player possibly in the entire draft, a steal</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7. Cleveland Browns</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">C.J., Spiller, RB, Clemson</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They need a lot of things, but at running back they could play Spiller Day 1</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8. Oakland Raiders</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Honestly you'd be better off with dartboard, but I'll go with logic (probably bad decision)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">9. Buffalo Bills</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think if he doesn't go hear then he will tumble, but they need him even if their OL sucks</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10. Jacksonville Jaguars</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Earl Thomas, S, Texas</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Like I said, I like him, and he may be the best safety in the draft</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">11. Denver Broncos</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is tricky, but I think the character issues with Bryant are manageable and he's too talented to pass</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">12. Miami Dolphins</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pass defense needs to improve more than anything, that's his strength</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">13. San Francisco 49ers</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Joe Haden, CB, Florida</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Serious need in their secondary, he's made plays versus top competition</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">14. Seattle Seahawks</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They took Berry first precisely because they could get OT later</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">15. New York Giants</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think getting him here is a steal, very high on this guy</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">16. Tennessee Titans</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We all know their pass rush needs help post-Haynesworth, here it comes with 1-yr wonder</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">17. San Francisco</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another guy I think is a steal at this point in the draft, like his abilities on the pro level</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">18. Pittsburgh Steelers</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I get wishy-washy here thinking Pouncey might be a better pick, but OL needed in a bad way</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">19. Atlanta Falcons</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Brandon Graham, LB, Michigan</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think Mike Smith wants to improve his defense in the worst way, especially when facing Brees twice a season</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">20. Houston Texas</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I will call it now, I think he will end up the best RB from this draft</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">21. Cincinnati Bengals</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Big risk here since he's a receiver from an option offense, but Bengals take risks in the draft for the upside</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">22. New England Patriots</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Their video game offense could use a better TE, and here he is sitting on the board at 22</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">23. Green Bay Packers</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maurkice Pouncey, C/OG, Florida</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another team where need exceeds all else, need to protect their franchise QB</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">24. Philadelphia Eagles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eagles don't have to go far to drive him to the facility, recent secondary departures necessitate this pick</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">25. Baltimore Ravens</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A lot of raw talent, Zook doesn't polish players well, but the Boldin pick-up isn't gonna stop this selection</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">26. Arizona Cardinals</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Brian Price, DT, UCLA</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He seems to be falling in some mocks that I'm seeing, but I still like him</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">27. Dallas Cowboys</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They need help at OL, he needs work (ex: Gil Brandt says "He looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.")</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">28. San Diego Chargers</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jahvid Best, RB, California</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LT has moved on, this local product could improve the running game</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">29. New York Jets</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jerry Hughes, LB/DE, Texas Christian</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Made a last minute change here, this is one of their few needs</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">30. Minnesota Vikings</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is their glaring area of need, secondary, and at the end of the draft are teams that can draft for need</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">31. Indianapolis Colts</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Strange pick, but Colts keep it close to the vest and get value every time</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">32. New Orleans Saints</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He could be top CB in the draft, I think he'll fall due to competition, but he's legit and a steal here</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some guys I have falling out of first round: Taylor Mays, Everson Griffen, Sean Weatherspoon, Jared Odrick, Terrance Cody, Sergio Kindle, Charles Brown</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With that all said, I'm completely full of shit and likely to be wrong on everything.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and now your moment of zen...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vQ3Q-FoSJwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vQ3Q-FoSJwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-21445146538433161272010-03-31T21:33:00.000-07:002010-03-31T21:33:08.766-07:003/31: My Trip to Martinsville - Rain & Hotdogs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywseVcv_iFdsVjdbLXqj0tLiROa1mFRXTZ1afDJ1Zhi97k6Lk5gn4LM5Mvgc1zxMZMrD-YPiymPETi0-hD994sQGz16dH75qfBLgv-3rXfz8L0WlyPFwG5fsMI8gtODzjkJuL18Kb2_L4/s1600/100_2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywseVcv_iFdsVjdbLXqj0tLiROa1mFRXTZ1afDJ1Zhi97k6Lk5gn4LM5Mvgc1zxMZMrD-YPiymPETi0-hD994sQGz16dH75qfBLgv-3rXfz8L0WlyPFwG5fsMI8gtODzjkJuL18Kb2_L4/s320/100_2358.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div>I consider a trip to a NASCAR race a quasi-religious pilgrimage that replaces communion wine with beer in a can, bread with greasy concession food, and the good book with a publication of scanner frequencies.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been to Talladega (Cup in 2005), Darlington (Cup in 2006), Charlotte (Cup in 2008 & 2009), Daytona (Nationwide in twice in 2009), Atlanta (Cup in 2009), and now I've added Martinsville as of Sunday... sort of.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>FRIDAY MARCH 26TH</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>5:30PM - </i>I've been working for entirely too long, but at long last it's time to head to the house and to load up the truck for my ride.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>6:10PM - </i>I left the house at last after getting packed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>6:12PM - </i>I left the house for real this time after going back for my Carolina UA jacket which I thought I wouldn't need. *foreshadowing*</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:05PM - </i>I tuned in to the Twins-Orioles game on the radio. Need to find out if Brian Roberts is gonna be healthy. I took him in the fourth round of my fantasy league. I did this for a number of reasons, none of them smart. I didn't know he was banged up, didn't realize his steals were falling off already, and was ultimately driven by the auto-draft order into thinking it was a smart call. B-Rob has done some nice things for me in recent years, so I honestly know it's possible he will exceed expectations.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:13PM - </i>I changed the channel once I realized that listening to spring training on the radio is simply something I can't do. It became clear to me that this wasn't going to last when I couldn't remember if Roberts batted in the first inning or not, despite that being the only reason I was tuning in. I love baseball on the radio, but spring training on the radio is just intolerable. Not sure how to describe this, but I simply cannot do it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>9:25PM - </i>Met up with my friend Kenneth for dinner in Jacksonville. We ate while watching the beginning of Michigan St vs Northern Iowa, which sadly did not end with a UNI win. We enjoyed Tennessee having just moments earlier put the second SEC team in the Sweet 16 while the Big East had less to show for their vaunted conference. You can always have a good talk with Kenneth because he will say just about anything, including many things that would offend far too many people if I actually wrote about it. *I understand no one will actually read this, but I would like to leave that last sentence where it is.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>10:45PM - </i>Finally getting going again on my trip. I now know it will be a late night.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>12:15AM - </i>There's a stretch of I-95 in Georgia that has been under construction for as long as I've made this trip, going back to my first trip to Carolina as a freshman in the Fall of 2003. So in other words I got a BA in 3 years, but in 7 years the road is still under construction. What's even more dumbfounding is that I've never seen anyone working on this stretch and I've never even noticed any progress on my many trips (I've made over 40 trips along this stretch of road in the past 7 years).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>SATURDAY MARCH 27TH</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>1:30AM - </i>I finally made it to South Carolina, and stopped at the Welcome Center. I stopped there because I always do, and bad things happen when you don't stop at the Welcome Center. It's cold, something tells me this trip is gonna have bad weather. *foreshadowing*</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>3:30AM - </i>Pulled into parking lot at my friend Christian's apartment. Had to wake him up with a phone call, but got in and was asleep within an hour.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>9:30AM - </i>Christian wakes me up as he is rustling around, which makes sense for him since he was a sleep before I even got there, but for me it's just terrible.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>12:30PM - </i>Met up with my friend Nick for lunch at Pawley's Front Porch in Five Points. I ordered The Beaufort. Really how can I turn down a burger with a fried egg, ham, cheese, onion ring, and hot sauce? Top it off with some sweet potato fries and a couple bottles of Coors Light for a great lunch. Nick is engaged and has a wedding in May. Really, my fraternal little brother is getting married in less than two months and I couldn't be happier for him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2:30PM - </i>After getting back to Christian's apartment we are now packed. The third member of our group, Bobby, has arrived and has his stuff packed as well. We are ready to roll.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>4:30PM - </i>We're on the road, I know that K-State vs Butler is starting, and I'm wondering how much of the wondrous Gus Johnson I will get to see today. That's about all there is to think about because other than Charlotte there's nothing on this route.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>5:25PM - </i>We stop at some Shell station on I-40 in North Carolina, I have no idea where this is or if I will ever find this place again, but it holds a great national treasure. It was here that I found NEHI, and of course I had to buy some. I bought an Orange Nehi, a Peach Nehi, and a Grape Nehi. For all I knew Nehi was discontinued during the Korean War after Radar left the Korean Peninsula. Souvenir #1 on my trip: Empty Grape Nehi bottle, because I had to drink it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>6:00PM - </i>We arrived at our hotel in Winston-Salem with enough time to watch the final 8 minutes or so of Butler's victory over Kansas State. I was somehow alive in some weird pick 'em and needed K-State to win, but really didn't care. It was just too special for this victory. I can't help thinking of this team as the team from Hoosiers, even though I know they are good and not some small town miracle.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:00PM - </i>We head out for dinner with the idea of watching the late Elite Eight game.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:15PM - </i>We finally manage to get to Texas Roadhouse, but the line out the door is a turn-off.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:20PM - </i>O'Charley's looks promising, but there appear to be no TV's, so we're off to keeping looking.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:25PM - </i>TGI Friday's is our eventual landing spot. We get to our seats, which have no view of the TV's. So we spend the meal observing people and trying to figure out just how freaky our waitress probably is with her men. Really, she appears to be the absolute definition of a closet freak, with the doors wide open.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Rest of evening not very interesting, but we did load up the hotel fridge...</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
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</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>SUNDAY MARCH 28TH</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>5:29AM - </i>I'm up, and it's way too damn early.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>6:00AM - </i>We're the first ones in line for the complimentary hotel breakfast. There were others up early, and all clearly had their respective NASCAR apparel on as well. There's nothing more unappealing than the options at a hotel breakfast, but that's because I never can talk myself into waiting and working to make a waffle.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:30AM - </i>After searching for a while for a Sunoco (I have a card where I had budgeted for this trip) we settle on going to a Sheetz. I have no idea what that chain is, but it had to be visited. As we turn I declared there would be a Sunoco "on the other side of that hill" because that happens to be my luck most of the time.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>7:35AM - </i>There was a Sunoco on the other side of that hill. Not kidding.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>8:00AM - </i>We pulled into our parking spot with five hours left until the scheduled green flag.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>8:20AM - </i>We visit the merchandise haulers. I got a sweater which I need because it's really cold. I also got a new BB&T hat, which is Clint Bowyer's alternate sponsor and primary sponsor for this race. The track looks awesome from here.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>8:35AM - </i>We met our friend Robbie outside the track. Robbie works on the company that broadcasts the SprintVision stuff at NASCAR races. I've always laughed at how corny much of it is, but I know it is good stuff.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>9:00AM - </i>It is cold and overcast, I start getting a really bad feeling this race won't get in. Robbie told us we need to get to 251 laps for it to be official, but first we'd need to get to 1 lap.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>9:20AM - </i>We get in line at the only port-a-johns we can find, which are in the official merchandise hauler area. Long lines already.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>9:40AM - </i>First beer opened, drinking ensues.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">CHRISTIAN</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFNa55sJLZztQmsp_VXTE6IyCll8m9-nnIaGA1ZKqZR9rTTF4kdxPXBKkHpfpBhMkzK_rp3yfXmlG-3-wh317F0d8sBuMWZsNUUgfKQYdVV5BXdCtidtszXsHUoUd3EAP5EigXMqAOhcS/s1600/100_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFNa55sJLZztQmsp_VXTE6IyCll8m9-nnIaGA1ZKqZR9rTTF4kdxPXBKkHpfpBhMkzK_rp3yfXmlG-3-wh317F0d8sBuMWZsNUUgfKQYdVV5BXdCtidtszXsHUoUd3EAP5EigXMqAOhcS/s320/100_2332.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">BOBBY</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGpKKRC2g76V620OsmqGK9jt-ipMc5DgsrvW0KfGQBH49A5Zj22-wrZtK_0bkxWiqw4jKqLdlyxwJ8CGuphDu98c_mcyjn7TJfVh5c8uXlZ4Ry9j2fEWGuP-JlRmYxfbi4bhJ0VXKD-_g/s1600/100_2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGpKKRC2g76V620OsmqGK9jt-ipMc5DgsrvW0KfGQBH49A5Zj22-wrZtK_0bkxWiqw4jKqLdlyxwJ8CGuphDu98c_mcyjn7TJfVh5c8uXlZ4Ry9j2fEWGuP-JlRmYxfbi4bhJ0VXKD-_g/s320/100_2333.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>10:00AM - </i>Bobby goes to the port-a-johns, but Christian and I know it's not worth it and we just use the car doors to provide cover.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>11:30AM - </i>Bobby has long since given in.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jM3otr7SwiERXiPBpXnXvxGevUlEdWcgMU9OuZkOXXf91tXyMFfXjswWRbV6LUUU8WtrjCgdOrYrtMiiW2yVTUVfoc9qU-6yZdq4UvolwSvoeSz1BtcjB7Yoe0xidARVxQVbMVu9MzcT/s1600/100_2344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jM3otr7SwiERXiPBpXnXvxGevUlEdWcgMU9OuZkOXXf91tXyMFfXjswWRbV6LUUU8WtrjCgdOrYrtMiiW2yVTUVfoc9qU-6yZdq4UvolwSvoeSz1BtcjB7Yoe0xidARVxQVbMVu9MzcT/s320/100_2344.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>11:45AM - </i>We're heading to the track, weather still has not improved.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>12:25PM - </i>In line for the hotdogs, the "World Famous Martinsville Hotdogs"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>12:55PM - </i>So good. Hot dog, chili, slaw, and mustard for just $2. I had three.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxS29GkLfEp_RwQ77hzhnkl75FBIcSFA1gCf44p_exFzHiKMeDqn6l52V7kkYjY1wmTlsF5bWvg_WnJDidF-WM2JvFj315LCCg-_hmkwiOmQkXclfnyPFwYR0nh_NWHPXgcMNonJ7nf9t/s1600/100_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxS29GkLfEp_RwQ77hzhnkl75FBIcSFA1gCf44p_exFzHiKMeDqn6l52V7kkYjY1wmTlsF5bWvg_WnJDidF-WM2JvFj315LCCg-_hmkwiOmQkXclfnyPFwYR0nh_NWHPXgcMNonJ7nf9t/s320/100_2353.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2:30PM - </i>Sure enough the race is postponed until Monday at noon, without a green flag lap. This was as close as we could get to seeing car on the track...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aceWHgrNZ8u0hWIaXmpHGncN2FE_cuvvqRv3VFGIb81qghf2jSLjMrcjxfRCT2XTV6CpQCZ32FtMGrqbGq5xU0q8PDpJ4nmKKfJ4RUikgbv6oLd1UHIrojIqZ8jCtn41FWX8EJgY-pH1/s1600/100_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aceWHgrNZ8u0hWIaXmpHGncN2FE_cuvvqRv3VFGIb81qghf2jSLjMrcjxfRCT2XTV6CpQCZ32FtMGrqbGq5xU0q8PDpJ4nmKKfJ4RUikgbv6oLd1UHIrojIqZ8jCtn41FWX8EJgY-pH1/s320/100_2359.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>4:51PM - </i>We leave the track, knowing that coming back tomorrow is not going to happen.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The rest of the story...</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We watched the last Elite Eight game in the small window of the TV not dedicated to storm coverage. Tornadoes hit the area where we were, but not really all that close to where we actually were.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We watched the race at Christian's apartment. Sure enough, Denny Hamlin won, who is Bobby's favorite driver.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So many dollars later I still haven't seen a race at Martinsville, but we'll be back next year. Maybe we'll actually see a green flag lap next time.</span></span></div>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-51034031544427912622010-03-24T19:52:00.000-07:002010-03-24T19:52:17.928-07:003/24: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 4 - MIDWEST REGION<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was supposed to be the easy lock bracket, every analyst had Kansas emerging from this bracket, and that just made sense to all of us. However, Kansas is not one of the four left standing in this bracket. Instead we have:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team led by the likely National Player of the Year</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team playing in their third consecutive Sweet 16, one of only two teams currently, and coming off a National Title game appearance</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team led by a coach who wears unusual attire, and has painted his chest for other university events</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team that knocked the overwhelming national title favorite to get here</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MIDWEST REGION</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ohio State Buckeyes</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=OhioStBrutus.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/OhioStBrutus.jpg" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 27-7 (17-4 Big Ten) Big Ten Tournament Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>68-51 vs UC-Santa Barbara, 75-66 vs Georgia Tech</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>26th appearance, 45-24 record, 10 Final Fours, 1 title</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>National Champions - 1960</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1870 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">comedian Richard Lewis, Olympian Jesse Owens, General Curtis "Bombs Away" LeMay, coaching legend Bob Knight</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Value City Arena at The Jerome Schottenstein Center, opened 1998, capacity 19,200, The Daily Show taped in arena (only college to have show taped on campus)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> They are led by the best player left in the tournament, since Kentucky's John Wall is a freshman I really can't give him that title, in Evan Turner. If this were purely given to the best team with the best player then this region would go to the Buckeyes, but it isn't.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Tennessee - Friday at 7:07 PM</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></b></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></i></span></b></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><b><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Michigan State Spartans</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=MichiganStSparty.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/MichiganStSparty.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 24-8 (14-5 Big Ten)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>70-67 vs New Mexico St, 85-83 vs Maryland</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>24th appearance, 7 Final Fours, 2 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>National Champions - 1979, 2000</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan in 1855</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> actor James Caan, actress Carol Duvall, NFL OL & "Human Penalty Flag" Flozell Adams</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Jack Breslin Student Events Center, opened 1989, capacity 15,085, floor is floor on which Spartans won 2000 title (had shipped in and installed)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Their Story: Michigan St started the season with a fair amount of expectations and coming off a less in the 2009 national title game vs UNC. Down the stretch it appeared Michigan St was heading straight off the map with injuries and inconsistent play, but here they are. Tom Izzo is one of the most consistent tournament coaches in the game today, so expect his team to be ready to play. Don't count out another Final Four for Izzo.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Northern Iowa - Friday 9:37 PM</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7SUBq4X6j90&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7SUBq4X6j90&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
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</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><b><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tennessee Volunteers</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=TennesseeSmokey.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/TennesseeSmokey.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 25-8 (13-6 SEC)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>62-59 vs San Diego St, 83-68 vs Ohio</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>18th appearance, 15-18 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Sweet 16 - 1967, 1981, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Originally Blount College in 1794</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> author Alex Haley, former MLB manager Phil Garner, radio personality Paul Feinbaum, NFL QB Peyton Manning, former football coach Phillip Fulmer</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Thompson-Boling Arena, opened 1987, capacity 21,000, court named "The Summit" for legendary Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summit</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Their Story:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> Tennessee had some expectations heading into the season, some expected Kentucky to not be this good and for the Vols to win the SEC. Then Tennessee had to kick their best player off the team following off the court ugliness. They followed up that with a win over top-ranked Kansas. Tennessee seems the team that can beat anybody in the country when on their game, but it's sometimes hard to tell if they'll be on their game.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Ohio St - Friday 7:07 PM</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kx3cmeLhEcg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kx3cmeLhEcg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><b><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Northern Iowa Panthers</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=UniMascot.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/UniMascot.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 28-4 (18-3 MVC) Regular Season and Tournament Missouri Valley Conference Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>69-66 vs UNLV, 69-67 vs Kansas</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>6th appearance, 3-5 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Sweet 16 - 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Originated as Iowa State Normal School in 1876</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> NFL QB Kurt Warner, NFL C Brad Meester, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>McLeod Center, opened 2006, capacity 7,018, replaced UNI-Dome as home of UNI Basketball</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Their Story:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> It should be noted that Northern Iowa has been on the radar a little in recent years. They have been int he tournament and they've played some ESPN Bracket Buster games. So it's not as if you've never had a chance to watch the school most famous as the alma mater of Kurt Warner. Then it happened... Northern Iowa defeated the pre-eminent favorite to win it all as they beat Kansas. Now all eyes will be on them, because they are a team to be reckoned with from here on out.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Michigan St - Friday 9:37 PM</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ZMuVBopvfY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ZMuVBopvfY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span></div></i></b></b></span></i></b></b></span></i></b></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></span></b></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-53407224751406969742010-03-23T16:50:00.000-07:002010-03-23T16:50:12.587-07:003/23: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 3 - SOUTH REGION<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The South Region was said by many to be tailor-made for the top seed to advance all the way though Houston and on to the Final Four in Indianapolis. That's because the top seed is one of the teams in college basketball that drives ratings just be their name. It would be foolish to assume they're just gonna waltz through a bracket of teams that have their sights set on them. The real shame in all the complaining about the perceived weakness of this bracket is that it demeans the rest of the field, the other three teams in this bracket include:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- An team led by a coach with the most memorable last name in the history of upsets</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team written off by most to even beat a 13-seed in the 1st round due to an injury, but still fighting and winning</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team who only won one other tournament game, in 1959, vs Idaho St</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SOUTH REGION</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Duke Blue Devils</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=DukeDevil.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/DukeDevil.jpg" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 29-5 (16-3 ACC) ACC Regular Season and Tournament Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>73-44 vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 68-53 vs California</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">34th appearance, 90-30 record, 14 Final Fours, 3 titles</span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">National Champions - 1991, 1992, 2001</span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Originated as Brown's Schoolhouse in 1837</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> journalist Charlie Rose, sportswriter John Feinstein, Hall of Fame NFL QB Sonny Jurgensen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Cameron Indoor Stadium, opened 1940, capacity 9,314, when opened was largest arena south of the Palestra in Philadelphia</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> Duke has the history, the prestige, the legendary coach, and gets the ratings. The Blue Devils also have a recent history of not performing well the the tournament. The reason is that Duke has not performed is because their recruiting is limited to those who academically qualify under the high standards of Duke University and want to play for the full four years. The result is they are well coached, rely on three pointers, and are out-talented by programs who do can recruit one year players with far lesser academic qualifications. They did have better statistics for offensive rebounding, but it is unclear if that is a product of their improvement or their conference being slightly below average this season.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Purdue - Friday 9:57 PM</span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v_8z4uEGGls&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v_8z4uEGGls&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></i></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Baylor Bears</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=Baylorbruiser.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/Baylorbruiser.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 25-7 (12-6 Big XII)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>68-59 vs Sam Houston St, 76-68 vs Old Dominion</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>6th appearance, 5-7 record, 2 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>National Runner-up - 1948</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1845</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> comedian Jeff Dunham, 49ers coach and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, sportscaster Trey Wingo</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>The Ferrell Center, opened 1988, capacity 10,347, gold plated dome roof weighs 175 tons</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> In 2003 Baylor was rocked by the murder of a player at the hands of a former player. Dave Bliss, then head coach, was forced to resign after improper financial allegations and plans to blame it on the slain player. Into the situation stepped Scott Drew, son of Homer and brother of Bryce. You may remember the Drew family from the memorable Valparaiso NCAA tournament upset (see video below). Since then Drew has done an amazing turn-around. Now Baylor will play in the Houston regional, just a short drive from their campus in Waco.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Saint Mary's - Friday 7:27 PM</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0haGKGiX9qA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0haGKGiX9qA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Purdue Boilermakers</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=PurduePete.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/PurduePete.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 27-5 (15-5 Big Ten)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>72-64 vs Siena, 63-61 vs Texas A&M</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>24th appearance, 33-23 record, 2 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>National Runner-Up - 1969</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1869</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> astronaut Neil Armstrong, Hall of Fame NFL QB Bob Griese, NFL QB Drew Brees</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Mackey Arena, opened 1967, capacity 14,123, Keady Court is only court in the country named after a comb-over</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> Purdue wasn't supposed to be here. They weren't supposed to score 11 points in the first half of the Big Ten semi-final vs Minnesota, but they did. They weren't supposed to get a 4-seed, but they did. They weren't supposed to beat Siena, but they did. Their season was supposed to be over when Robbie Hummel went down, but it wasn't.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Duke - Friday 9:57 PM</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oV4NTBBZvYk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oV4NTBBZvYk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Saint Mary's Gaels</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=SMC.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/SMC.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 26-5 (13-3) West Coast Conference Tournament Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>80-71 vs Richmond, 75-68 vs Villanova</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>6th appearance, 3-5 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Sweet Sixteen - 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1863</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> MLB 3rd baseman Mark Teahan, Sr VP & GM of CNN.com K.C. Estenson, Poet Laureate of the U.S. Robert Haas (1995-97)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>McKeon Pavilion, opened 1978, capacity 3,500, only student section with lots of Australian flags waving</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> Saint Mary's has been a good team for a while now, but when they beat Gonzaga this year to win the WCC they earned a spot in the tournament. They are making their deepest run in the tournament, and easily the most lovable Cinderella of the tournament, because they play in such a small gym and have so many players to like. Omar Samhan, seriously, that's all you need.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs </span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6_FEWDa8wY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6_FEWDa8wY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div></i></b></span></i></b></span></i></b></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-5022323000072959302010-03-22T18:50:00.000-07:002010-03-22T18:50:53.694-07:003/22: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 2 - WEST REGION<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've only got two losses in the bracket pool, look good for the next round, and am in it for the win.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That's what I'd be saying if the West region were a pool in and of itself. This bracket had an expected first round upset with Murray St knocking off Vanderbilt in the first round. This bracket had Xavier returning to their third consecutive Sweet 16 with a victory over the overachieving Pittsburgh Panthers. Other than that, this bracket was chalk. That's because this bracket played out like the entire bracket did last year, the experience and line up for this bracket would normally create huge ratings. The problem is most people are not as familiar with these teams, except Syracuse. That's a shame.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This bracket contains:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- A coach with 829 career wins.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team in the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year, one of only two teams this year with that distinction.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team that lost 7 times, but 3 of those times to #1 or #2 team in the polls.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A team whose history includes the orange basketball and <i>Hoosiers.</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">WEST REGION</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Syracuse Orange</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=SyracuseOtto.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/SyracuseOtto.jpg" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 28-4 (15-4 Big East) Big East Regular Season Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>79-56 vs Vermont, 87-65 vs Gonzaga</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>33rd appearance, 52-32 record, 4 Final Fours, 1 title</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>National Championship - 2003</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Originated as Genessee Wesleyan Seminary</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> actor Peter Falk, sportscaster Bob Costas, sportscaster Mike Tirico, my high school friend a current "Two and a Half Men" stage assistant Dennis Jacobs</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Carrier Dome, opened 1980, capacity 34,616, despite the name it does not have air conditioning</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> Led only in wins by Coach K Jim Boeheim has put together a legendary career at Syracuse, one that has transformed a program into a powerhouse. They figure to win the talent aspect heavily, but it will all come down to a team being able to break their famous zone defense. Kansas St might be able to, but doubtful Butler can.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Butler - Thursday 7:07 PM</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wBekho4v-F0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wBekho4v-F0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kansas State Wildcats</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=KStateCat.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/KStateCat.jpg" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 26-7 (13-6 Big XII) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>82-62 vs North Texas, 84-72 vs BYU</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>24th appearance, 30-27 record, 4 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Final Four - 1948, 1951, 1958, 1964</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded as Kansas State Agricultural College in 1863</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni: </i>sportscaster Craig Bolerjack, actress Kirstie Alley, former Purdue coach Gene Keady, current UNLV coach Lon Krueger (also formerly of Florida, Illinois, & Atlanta-NBA)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Fred Bramlage Coliseum, opened 1988, capacity 12,528, known as "The Octagon of Doom"</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> A few years ago Bob Huggins was the head coach at Kansas St and Michael Beasley was their star player. When both turned out to be one year visitors to Manhattan you had to think hard times might return. Instead Kansas St has shot into the college basketball landscape as potentially a power for years to come. No coach has a reputation for intensity quite like Frank Martin, whom I affectionately refer to as "Captain Crazy Eyes".</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Xavier - Thursday 9:37 PM</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fsngzyygN5w&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fsngzyygN5w&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Butler Bulldogs</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=ButlerDog.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/ButlerDog.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 28-4 (20-0 Horizon) Horizon League Regular Season and Tournament Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>77-59 vs UTEP, 54-52 vs Murray St</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>10th appearance, 10-9 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Sweet 16 - 1962, 2003, 2007, 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Originated as North Western Christian University in 1855.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni: </i>Ohio St coach Thad Matta, Baylor coach Scott Drew, infamous cult leader Jim Jones</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Hinkle Fieldhouse, opened 1928, capacity 11,043, scene of <i>Hoosiers</i> and real life Milan High School championship that inspired the movie</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story: </i>No place screams basketball history like Hinkle Fieldhouse, it's a trip back in time, and so is Butler basketball. They play an aggressive style of defense, as proven by Murray St battling for the ball instead of getting a final shot against the Bulldogs. They will need to be at the absolute top of their game to beat Syracuse.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Syracuse - Thursday 7:07 PM</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=XavierMascots.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/XavierMascots.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 24-8 (15-3)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>65-54 vs Minnesota, 71-68 vs Pittsburgh</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>21st appearance, 19-20 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Elite Eight - 2004, 2008</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Originated as The Atheneaum in 1831</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni: </i>Hall of Fame pitcher and U.S. Senator Jim Bunning, U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, NBA player David West</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Cintas Center, opened 2000, capacity 10,050, EA Sports polled it 3rd toughest to play in 2009</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their Story:</i> The last four Xavier coaches have left to go to other programs: Pete Gillen 1985-1994 went to Providence, Skip Prosser 1994-2001 went to Wake Forest, Thad Matta 2001-2004 went to Ohio State, and Sean Miller 2004-2009 went to Arizona. Those coaches went on to some success, but unlike most mid-major programs Xavier hasn't fallen off. They are one of the most reliable programs, even if their coaches leave every five years.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Kansas St - Thursday 9:37 PM</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Related YouTube Video:</i></span></span></span></b></span></div></span></span></span></span></b></span></div></span></span></span></span></b></span></div></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4rX1ZCVXOnE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4rX1ZCVXOnE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-87295831112131636762010-03-21T17:34:00.000-07:002010-03-21T17:34:09.545-07:003/21: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 1 - EAST REGION<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An absolutely tremendous weekend of the best post-season in sports leaves us with sixteen teams standing. They range from the true elite of college basketball tradition to the least known basketballs school in a basketball state to the Ivy League's champion. If you didn't know them before, now you will.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EAST REGION</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kentucky Wildcats</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament:</i> 32-2 (15-2 SEC) SEC Regular Season & Tournament Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>100-71 vs East Tennessee St, 90-60 vs Wake Forest</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>51st appearance, 102-45 record, 13 Final Fours, 7 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>National Champions - 1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1865 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni: </i>former MLB player Jim Leyritz, Oklahoma St basketball coach Travis Ford, former NBA coach Pat Riley, actress Ashley Judd</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Rupp Arena, opened 1976, capacity: 23,500, largest arena in college basketball</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their story: </i>In the first year under John Calipari the Wildcats are the most talented team in the field. Ultimately it would seem their greatest opposition would be inexperience and lack of discipline.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Cornell - Thursday 9:57 PM</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>West Virginia Mountaineers</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/?action=view&current=WvaMountaineer.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r201/GamecockFL/WvaMountaineer.jpg" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament: </i>27-6 (16-5 Big East) Big East Tournament Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>77-50 vs Morgan St, 68-59 vs Missouri</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History:</i> 23rd appearance, 22-22 record, 1 Final Four, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>National title game loss - 1959 vs California</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1867 as the Agricultural College of West Virginia</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni: </i>actor Don Knotts, Terry & Tommy Bowden, head coach Bob Huggins, NBA legend Jerry West, Mike "Idiot Kicker" Vanderjagt</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue:</i> WVU Coliseum, opened 1970, capacity 14,000, first event hosted was Grand Funk Railroad concert</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their story:</i> Just a few years removed from having their coach snuck out from underneath them by Michigan the Mountaineers are led by WVU alum Bob Huggins. The team is composed of NY area players, but is all Huggins with the defense they play.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Washington - Thursday 7:27 PM</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Washington Huskies</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament: </i>24-9 (14-7 Pac-10) Pac-10 Tournament Champions</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>80-78 vs Marquette, 82-64 vs New Mexico</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>15th appearance, 17-15 record, 1 Final Four, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Final Four - 1953</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1861 as the Territorial University of Washington</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni:</i> Jeannette Rankin (first female elected to Congress), current coach Lorenzo Romar, former NFL QB Warren Moon</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>Bank of America Arena, opened 1927, capacity 10,000, hosted 1949 & 1952 Final Fours</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their story: </i>Washington was only getting in the field with a Pac-10 Tournament title, and they got it. This team has all the talent for a tourney run, and Lorenzo Romar has done wonders getting them ready for the tourney.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs West Virginia - Thursday 7:27 PM</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pre-tournament: </i>27-4 (13-1 Ivy League) Ivy League Champions (no tournament)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>2010 Tournament Wins: </i>78-65 vs Temple, 87-69 vs Wisconsin</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>NCAA Tournament History: </i>5th appearance, 2-5 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Deepest Tournament Run: </i>Sweet 16 - 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>University History: </i>Founded in 1865.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Notable Alumni: </i>Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actor Christopher Reeve, Andy "Nard-Dog" Bernard Regional Director in Charge of Sales Dunder-Mifflin, Scranton PA</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Basketball Venue: </i>F.R. Newman Arena, opened 1990, capacity 4,472, contained highest total SAT score of the field.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Their story: </i>Cornell took Kansas to the limit earlier this season and got noticed. Despite getting into the Top 25 this year, most still couldn't possibly expect the kind of run they're making now. They will lose if their 3-point shooting goes cold, it hasn't yet.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Up Next: </i>vs Kentucky - Thursday 9:57 PM</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zYYfCB3z6LQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zYYfCB3z6LQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-56165226921318935612010-03-20T11:09:00.000-07:002010-03-20T11:09:23.573-07:003/20: 1st Round Awards, Stats, Facts & Gus "Mr. Excitement" Johnson<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FIRST ROUND AWARDS</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's admittedly not a great post today, but want to get it done in time to watch all the games. I promise better posts for both 2nd round days.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiT9mMeRJbt-42gRmkjpQlUCeoYDy62Tw-_TpfMnlZs2noooB5WTLE7kQCafEr0NlA_sQuNFfrFu-N4SMv5d14zlItfnBVdFcZaHswroxobq9JFYtxRuHx0kcZhBfRCJbLWsBnrBj8GKYA/s1600-h/GTownOhiobassett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiT9mMeRJbt-42gRmkjpQlUCeoYDy62Tw-_TpfMnlZs2noooB5WTLE7kQCafEr0NlA_sQuNFfrFu-N4SMv5d14zlItfnBVdFcZaHswroxobq9JFYtxRuHx0kcZhBfRCJbLWsBnrBj8GKYA/s320/GTownOhiobassett.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">SI.COM</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Georgetown Hoyas: </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ohio shot 58.2% from the field and 56.5% from beyond the arc to down the Hoyas 97-83, the most points scored on Georgetown in the tournament history of the storied program. Four of five starters for the Bobcats scored in double-digits, and center Kenneth van Kempen missed the double-digit mark by a single point. Following a strong runner-up finish in the Big East tournament with a first round loss to 14-seeded Ohio, 9th place and 7-9 in the Mid-American Conference, was not what anyone could have expected. This was the only 3-14 game that didn't scare me when I was reviewing the bracket, and Pittsburgh-Oakland was the only non-competitive win for the 3 seeds. The really troubling issue is that Georgetown wasn't beaten on a buzzer-beater 78-77, instead they were thoroughly exposed defensively by a team that couldn't win the majority of their games vs the likes of Bowling Green, Miami (OH) and Akron.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Other Nominees: </i>Louisville, Richmond, and UTEP after half-time.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>MOST IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE BY A TEAM</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Texas A&M Aggies: </i>In a first round match-up of Aggies a lot of people liked Utah St Aggies to beat the Texas A&M Aggies. Utah St had shot 49.1% from the field on the season a 41.% from 3-pt range (good for 7th and 3rd in the nation respectively), but against Texas A&M they were held to 38.7% from the field and 25% from 3-pt range.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Other Nominees: </i>Murray St, Cornell, St Mary's, and Butler after half-time.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WORST PERFORMANCE BY A CONFERENCE</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Big East Conference: </i>It all started out of the gate as Villanova, the 2-seed from the South bracket, was down most of the game to Robert Morris. It seems to me a participant from last year's Final Four should be able to put away a guy who's been dead two hundred years. Instead the Wildcats nearly drove a lot of bracket pool participants into the same debt that with which Bob himself died.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Notre Dame and Marquette lost as 6-seeds to Old Dominion and Washington respectively. Georgetown then proceeded to lose to aforementioned Ohio Bobcats to drop the Big East to 1-3 on Day 1, that one win coming in their 2-seed's OT win over a team from Moon Township, PA.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Big East seemed headed for a 5-3 record after Syracuse (1-seed), West Virginia (2-seed), and Pittsburgh (3-seed) won games as favorites to start Day 2. Then Louisville lost an 8 vs 9 game to California. That meant the much-maligned Pac-10 was 2-0 vs the vaunted Big East.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Big East gets hyped due to their geographic closeness to media centers on the East Coast and their passion for the game, see the Big East tournament where slightly above average games were accompanied by the hysteria of a packed Madison Square Garden. If you haven't been made aware of the Big East's pedestrian tournament resume in recent years then you're just buying into the ESPN & Company hype blindly. The most consistent team in the conference, Connecticut, isn't even in this field this year.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Other Nominee: </i>Atlantic-10 (1-2) had a bad day from 6-seed Richmond vs a good St Mary's team, 5-seed Temple was the first Ivy League victim since 1998, and 6-seed Xavier was the saving grace as they got a win over an enigmatic Minnesota team.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>BEST PERFORMANCE BY A CONFERENCE</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pac-10 Conference: </i>They went 2-0 in first round games, but that's after getting completely trashed all year as a conference that barely deserved a bid. Listening to the likes of most ESPN analysts you'd think this were the SWAC or the Big Sky Conference. Instead California and Washington delivered two heaping handfuls fo STFU to the world in the first round. Not only did they win, but they beat representatives of the media's darling in the Big East. Some thought Marquette and Louisville were trendy picks to make the Sweet 16 or more, but the Pac-10 put those dreams to rest.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Other Nominees: </i>Big XII (5-2), ACC (4-2) and WCC (2-0).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>FIRST ROUND STATS & FACTS</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Clemson's Oliver Purnell is now 0-7 in first round games, including 0-5 as the higher seed.</span><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Before Thursday BYU's last win was also as 7-seed in 1993 vs SMU, they then lost to 2-seed Kansas. Up next: 2-seed Kansas St.</span><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Stew Morrill has guided Utah St to 7 tournaments experiences, only win came as 12-seed vs Ohio St in 2001.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NekBE-WhsqQw5yxwg50LuACmeEFEXcsfdfbS0z6k1QX7e0ZtU-S1BJ892b9uWSw9gCBTun2f8ar2oFrNgohSy9UsZLpcRgnPML2W6DBcLFb9zWPLDA3ebg7pVfUMDELN3Xe3CnTVDKpA/s1600-h/ncb_a_morrill_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NekBE-WhsqQw5yxwg50LuACmeEFEXcsfdfbS0z6k1QX7e0ZtU-S1BJ892b9uWSw9gCBTun2f8ar2oFrNgohSy9UsZLpcRgnPML2W6DBcLFb9zWPLDA3ebg7pVfUMDELN3Xe3CnTVDKpA/s320/ncb_a_morrill_600.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Northern Iowa got their 2nd NCAA tournament win in victory over 8-seeded UNLV, first win was in 1990 over 3-seeded Missouri.</span><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Ohio University won their first tournament game since their 1983 defeat of 6-seeded Illinois St, they made the 1964 Elite 8. Need evidence?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-Old Dominion is 3-0 all-time in the tournament vs current Big East teams, they're 0-9 vs everybody else.</span><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and now your moment of zen...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZcglOItcKoM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZcglOItcKoM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-70609704206171003482010-03-15T19:00:00.000-07:002010-03-15T19:00:16.128-07:003/15: Why Mississippi St is better than Florida & My Bracket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYyt8VW6rVPCnEOYOPl0ivSQLd6vm1mKS84Zlae18ItpyD_q8pydUQNfb9Gl_-Em4oxrcVI9xP2VHmNAvi73F7B7ySpyxEq0rbLNgVqEQV4ErixUSqfbAEUvDBZnQFBhuIV_k17JKiBLp/s1600-h/2010+NCAA-Final-Four-2010-logo-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYyt8VW6rVPCnEOYOPl0ivSQLd6vm1mKS84Zlae18ItpyD_q8pydUQNfb9Gl_-Em4oxrcVI9xP2VHmNAvi73F7B7ySpyxEq0rbLNgVqEQV4ErixUSqfbAEUvDBZnQFBhuIV_k17JKiBLp/s320/2010+NCAA-Final-Four-2010-logo-300x225.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MY ONLY GRIPE</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">IN: FLORIDA</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Despite being considered by most to have little chance for a bid the Gators made it in. Not only in, but a 10 seed. I really didn't see this coming, but it's clear indication that the committee values the non-conference schedule where Florida rattled off wins against Michigan St and Florida St. They also had quality non-conference losses to Syracuse, Richmond, and Xavier. That said most seem to forget that the Gators lost four of their last five including their last three regular season games. They got Xavier and Richmond at home, and they also suffered bad losses to Georgia and South Alabama. Coupled with a 9-7 SEC record and a 4th place Eastern Division finish that's their resume.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OUT: MISSISSIPPI STATE</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Despite a strong run in the SEC Tournament the Bulldogs had to sit and watch as their name was never called on Sunday, until later during the <i>much anticipated</i> NIT Selection Show on ESPNU. I was really shocked by this. I was shocked because Mississippi St was 9-7 in the SEC, beat two SEC teams who earned NCAA bids, and took the only other to OT and lost by 1 point on an uncalled lane violation. MSU simply has no impressive non-conference victory, but did lose by 1 point to Richmond. They lost their opener vs Rider and another non-conference game at Western Kentucky, who also knocked off Vanderbilt back when no one seems to remember. Mississippi St showed they were a strong tournament team playing the right way at the right time.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>WHAT'S MY GRIPE?</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Two things:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) For all the talk about Florida playing a tough non-conference schedule it should be noted they played on the road just once outside of the SEC, in Raleigh where an insane shot saved them from what would have seemed a bid-killing loss right now. That loss to Syracuse was in Tampa, a default home game vs a team that typically doesn't leave the state of New York until conference play requires it. That win vs Michigan St, who I'm not sure is all that good, was in on a true neutral court in NYC. The win over Florida State? In the friendly confines of the O'Connell Center. The losses to Richmond, South Alabama and Xavier? All at home. They didn't go out any play anybody on their turf during that tough slate.In fact the only non-conference opponent other than NC State that Florida played was the harrowing journey to Jackonville to play the mighty Jacksonville University Dolphins.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mississippi St? They went to Anaheim and beat two Power Six opponents in UCLA and DePaul. We all know now UCLA was no good, but it's not as if the Bulldogs didn't try. They beat an ODU team that made the tourney and lost by a singe point on neutral court to Richmond. The loss to Western Kentucky? Was on the Hilltoppers' home court. Wins over San Diego and Houston were also on the road.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's not that they played the toughest opponents, but they left their own state more than twice during that span, unlike the Gators who apparently were saving their frequent flyer miles for the NCAA bid they unfortunately received.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Mississippi St 65, Florida 59 SEC QUARTERFINAL. Mississippi St 65, (23) Vanderbilt 52 SEC SEMI-FINAL. (2) Kentucky 75, Mississippi St 74 OT SEC FINAL.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Those impress me a lot more than Florida getting lucky that Michigan St didn't do a UCLA and completely collapse. The non-conference opponents are beyond control, and both had equally bad losses. I don't think Florida's win or two (Michigan St and Florida St were the ONLY good ones) are more impressive than MSU's run in the conference tourney which including a win over Florida, a win over a Vanderbilt team that Florida was swept by, and taking a UK team to the limit that ran Florida off the court twice. Not to mention the Bulldogs lost by single digits in the regular season against those same two teams.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>WHAT I'M SAYING IS: </b>Rewarding Florida with a bid based on non-conference schedule is rewarding an arbitrary rotation of who is and isn't good while not given proper weight to a team that is playing well in a tournament format, which the NCAA values so much in their basketball that they determine their champion.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>AT THE END OF THE DAY: </b>If college basketball were run by the morons that run college football then Kansas and Kentucky would be playing in early May while the rest of these teams would battle it out in an awesomely entertaining but ultimately meaningless version of the NIT. So while I can strongly disagree as to who gets that 30-somethingth at-large bid, it's a whole lot better than arguing whether Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse or Duke deserve the only two spots.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MY BRACKET</b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp8bU_RIf9lRWbT4NHe_v38mhMKJ5aoFlfT2I8HlHGbpYMlmQ3UICaDNpcKjW451Qep59uxNwCaxa7KfG1diHfOQy_daYIjFrSEQPGkuM63L36kIMFxGSwqSZbK5O2kSpUnMXbukQeNV7/s1600-h/2010Bracket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp8bU_RIf9lRWbT4NHe_v38mhMKJ5aoFlfT2I8HlHGbpYMlmQ3UICaDNpcKjW451Qep59uxNwCaxa7KfG1diHfOQy_daYIjFrSEQPGkuM63L36kIMFxGSwqSZbK5O2kSpUnMXbukQeNV7/s640/2010Bracket.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>FIRST ROUND</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Upsets:</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[13] Siena over [4] Purdue - I know, popular pick, but I'd like Siena in almost any first round match-up.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[13] Murray St over [4] Vanderbilt - Racers rate historically high in Giant Killer ratings, Vandy vulnerable.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[12] UTEP over [5] Butler - I saw them vs Houston, even in loss the talent is apparent, not sold on Butler.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[12] Cornell over [5] Temple - Trendy, but for a reason. Temple doesn't put anybody way, Big Red shoots 3's.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[11] San Diego St over [6] Tennessee - Vols off tough loss playing streaking Aztecs at 9:55 PM EST.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[10] Missouri over [7] Clemson - Mostly bias, but never hurt me yet taking Clemson to lose first round.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[10] Georgia Tech over [7] Oklahoma St - GT very talented but underachieved, OK St laid back at end of season.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[9] Louisville over [8] California - Not really an upset, but I wanted to indicate all seeding upsets.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Upsets I can't call, but want to:</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[14] Oakland over [3] Pittsburgh - Pitt is the kind of overachieving team that can suffer massive upset.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[14] Montana over [3] New Mexico - Anthony Johnson, Sr G for Montana, scored 42 (34 in 2nd half) in comeback win in conference final. Alford tourney history as coach not good.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[13] Wofford over [4] Wisconsin - Badgers can't put anyone away, Wofford narrowly lost to a similar Pitt team.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>3 Best Games:</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oklahoma St vs Georgia Tech - So much talent on the court, so little known to America.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Marquette vs Washington - Buzz Williams is all the reason you need to watch, watch him work.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gonzaga vs Florida St - Get your popcorn ready, should be points.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SECOUND ROUND</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Upsets:</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[13] Murray St over [12] UTEP - Think the Tampa bracket from 2008 (where Western Ky emerged)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[13] Siena over [5] Texas A&M - Siena is a good team that gets no credit, not scared of Aggies.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[12] Cornell over [4] Wisconsin - Cornell gets another match-up with team that doesn't put you away.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[6] Xavier over [3] Pittsburgh - Pitt overachieved, not so sure Xavier didn't underachieve.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Upset I can't call, but want to:</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[6] Richmond over [2] Villanova - As much as I like 'Nova, still hard to shake their skid lately.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>3 Best Games:</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Syracuse vs Gonzaga - If Orange are still hobbling this could be very interesting.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Villanova vs Richmond - This is 'Nova's chance to show something, or get bounced early.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kansas vs UNLV - This is the kind of game where Kansas needs to show experience, and will.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SWEET 16 ROUND</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">KU over Maryland - Greivis Vasquez is good, but Jayhawks are better.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Georgetown over Ohio St - JT3 has him team playing well, Ohio St may be untested until this.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Syracuse over Murray St - Clock strikes midnight for the Racers, Orange too strong.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">K State over Xavier - Frank Martin will stare down the Musketeers, then beat them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kentucky over Cornell - Reality sets in that this isn't a spelling bee, but a basketball game.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">West Va over New Mexico - Huggie Bear not the best tourney coach, but neither is Alford.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Duke over Siena - Not many team capable of beating Duke when it's on the line.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Villanova over Baylor - Scary game for 'Cats with Baylor playing well coming in.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ELITE 8 ROUND</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kansas over Georgetown - No stopping the Jayhawks now, they can play defensive games too.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">K State over Syracuse - Frank Martin stares down the zone, then beats it.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">West Va over Kentucky - Controversial showdown comes to close as Wall's new SUV discovered.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Villanova over Duke - Wait, haven't we seen this before? It went 77-54 last year, repeat.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NATIONAL SEMIS</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kansas over Kansas St - Fourth time is a charm, Frank Martin retreats to Octagon of Solitude.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">West Virginia over Villanova - Big East shown down, both team lost at home in regular season match-ups.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">KANSAS 68, WEST VIRGINIA 59</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Should be entertaining with WVU's Butler vs KU's Collins, but nobody beating Jayhawks this year.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and now, your moment of zen</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8q6X-N4sJ1o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8q6X-N4sJ1o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-4785148074526768972010-03-07T16:07:00.000-08:002010-03-07T16:30:00.707-08:003/7: Atlanta race, Jags signings, Carolina weekend recap, and Walk It Out<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HOT TIME IN THE ATL</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kobalt Tools 500 starring Carl the Tool</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So it appeared Kurt Busch was headed for another victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway unless Juan Pablo Montoya was able to pull off a fantastic reeling him in, but then suddenly out of nowhere....</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Via RaceView I was listening to the scanner of the #33 (Clint Bowyer) when I could see that the #12 (Brad Keselowski) was fighting with another car, and figured it was a great chance to catch him. Then I could hear the discussion between Bowyer and his spotter wondering why the #99 (Carl Edwards) was battling tough with Keselowski. In fact, Bowyer's spotter, Mike Dillon (thanks Robbie for the correction, originally posted as "Matt Dillon" for some strange reason), said "I don't know what Carl's trying to prove with the 12 there." Then I saw on RaceView what could only be fully understood on the actual television screen, that Carl Edwards punted Keselowski. The #12 car the flipped into the air and hit the fence on the roof. It was a horrific accident, and maybe more words would accompany the intensity if not for Edwards' crash last year at Talladega being worse.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Normally we could chalk this up to hard racing, exactly what NASCAR wants their drivers to do. That <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9FsYDEIZWk">crash at Talladega last year</a> happened when he tangled with Keselowski, then driving the #09, who went on to win the race. A quick review of the tape shows that Edwards tried to block when he shouldn't have, which Edwards seemed to rightfully take some blame in. Also early in today's race Edwards was again in a crash where he tangled with the 12, but appeared from all replays that Keselowski had slowed up as best he could without someone running into the back of him.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So all of this would seem to explain someone getting a little pissed on the track, but there's just a few problems with this:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Edwards had every intent to wreck Keselowski, even missing on an attempt to do so the previous lap.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Edwards didn't directly admit to it, but his answer basically said he did it on purpose.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and, most importantly</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3) Edwards was well over 100 laps down at the time, while Keselowski was running in the top 10.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So Edwards wasn't racing for position, made his attempt obvious to anyone with a set of eyeballs, and admitted to intent within his answer on national television.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What should NASCAR do? They should let Edwards sit out the next race, two weeks from now at Bristol.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NASCAR needs to send a message that while boys will be boys, this wasn't racing. It was a danger to the drivers, the fans, and everyone involved in the sport. You'd think Carl Edwards of all people would understand this danger.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kassim Osgood, special teams star & WR</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCxtF-FudO1CesONApNw-Auo8M3QsnqaENtwmYa3DxV5rnQJMZtoT39qru4a5octiUMrEoqNeCG_3UIMuf5EP4R4lRx4Yva5LZb5mWSds-kiFP3zDGoKiixYbfYuqXWYdrENzwuIGrFkl/s1600-h/Kassim-Osgood1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCxtF-FudO1CesONApNw-Auo8M3QsnqaENtwmYa3DxV5rnQJMZtoT39qru4a5octiUMrEoqNeCG_3UIMuf5EP4R4lRx4Yva5LZb5mWSds-kiFP3zDGoKiixYbfYuqXWYdrENzwuIGrFkl/s320/Kassim-Osgood1.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As reported by Michael C. Wright of the Times-Union <a href="http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2010-03-07/story/kassim_osgood_agrees_to_three_year_deal_with_jaguars">>-link-<</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First Jacksonville signed former Charger Kassim Osgood to a 3-year deal with $6.675M ($2.975 guaranteed). This is a great signing of small stature to most people, since Osgood excels mostly on special teams. It appears the ability to compete for a spot at receiver is what won him over, but he seems really excited by <a href="http://twitter.com/kassimosgood">his tweets</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Aaron Kampman, DE</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZRVbjyV9yXkEVwNhBEtcKApvfWNQZpQmAJaC3mi27geAuutfNr8CPaV4X26zuGmxoRxWZAdWFuBS4zlM_Rnm1JHgTmJ_jpFX0hatf_Q__VTue-gdEM9zXWRTOgTYid3AMYyDtimmclLb/s1600-h/Kampman-Sack-T-Jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZRVbjyV9yXkEVwNhBEtcKApvfWNQZpQmAJaC3mi27geAuutfNr8CPaV4X26zuGmxoRxWZAdWFuBS4zlM_Rnm1JHgTmJ_jpFX0hatf_Q__VTue-gdEM9zXWRTOgTYid3AMYyDtimmclLb/s320/Kampman-Sack-T-Jack.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now this was a signing that perked some ears. Michael C. Wright <a href="http://twitter.com/jagsreporter">just tweeted the terms as 4-years at $26M with $11M guaranteed</a>. This is a very nice signing that should improve the worst pass rush in the league. If they can also bring back Hayward it would be a good off-season, despite me coming in with no expectations other than a good draft. It appears the management understand the fans need a few splashes to know there's someone in the pool. Good reads are available from the aforementioned <a href="http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2010-03-07/story/jaguars_agree_to_terms_with_de_aaron_kampman">Michael C. Wright of the Times-Union</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4973360">Paul Kuharsky of ESPN</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CAROLINA DROPS SERIES 1-2</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Too upset and too soon to say much about it, but worth mentioning that Clemson pounded Carolina at home today to take the series 1-2, the first time Clemson has won the series in a bit. It was a rough game, with Carolina pitching being terrible throughout, but as my friends and I have discussed it would be nice to have a team that slumped early and came on late. That's my hope, that they will catch fire late.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CAROLINA END REGULAR SEASON WITH UPSET WIN</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gamecocks win at #19 Vandy to enter SEC Tournament on high note.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks/?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&UID=6076b782-972c-43ee-b7e6-6c16fbce4f12&plckPostId=Blog:6076b782-972c-43ee-b7e6-6c16fbce4f12Post:d6265cbd-739c-4249-a5ca-049313a40335&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest">Travis Haney of the Post and Courier wraps up the impact nicely in his blog</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and now your moment of zen...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6HVd493yAhM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6HVd493yAhM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-49712640910208241402010-01-14T19:49:00.000-08:002010-01-14T19:49:12.957-08:001/14: Tennessee Turmoil, Trojans Get Boner (Make That Bonehead), and more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-EMFMatGumKbuiyA7dIGouykHBLUDMw8LCF7dHzeWXhgkJKld_2ZIfWs5VpHbL5cg4Lcu68jbr46b0VM3YzDd_3gnJl5a-IexhzOPyFODyAOJ4Tr2JJOU3uO2iBJIS24WFxdJnvjPKhk/s1600-h/happelsmokey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-EMFMatGumKbuiyA7dIGouykHBLUDMw8LCF7dHzeWXhgkJKld_2ZIfWs5VpHbL5cg4Lcu68jbr46b0VM3YzDd_3gnJl5a-IexhzOPyFODyAOJ4Tr2JJOU3uO2iBJIS24WFxdJnvjPKhk/s320/happelsmokey.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smokey, in brighter, better days</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Tennessee Turmoil</b></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tennessee football will have it's third head coach in three years at some point within the next month or so. Knoxville has undergone entirely too much turnover at head coach in the past 14 months. A messy end to the Phil Fulmer Era at Tennessee was bad enough, but then the Volunteers went way outside their normal comfort zone to hire a brash, energetic Lane Kiffin. After one season, which it should be stated was a 7-6 season including a 4-4 SEC record and a thorough bowl thrashing at the hands of Virginia Tech, Kiffin is gone. I should state at this time that I thought Kiffin wouldn't last more than three seasons, but for entirely different reasons than what happened. Kiffin wasn't fired, his salary got doubled to coach the leading dynasty of the past decade in college football, Southern California. Tennessee, your hubby left for one of the other really hot women in town, even if it's the other side of town.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any marriage counselor would have advised against the marriage. There were a number of reasons Tennessee shouldn't have hired Kiffin to begin with, and really the only good reason to hire Kiffin was the energy he brought and the resume his legendary father brought as defensive coordinator. The main problem is that Kiffin didn't really "love" Tennessee. That's not a problem for Arizona, Baylor, Kentucky, Maryland, Syracuse, or Washington State. It is a problem for Tennessee, a top ten program in college football. Tennessee shouldn't be hiring a coach who would leave for another college program so quickly. There will always be other interests for a coach from another region, but those interests shouldn't extend to a 14-month tenure and then furious exit. Tennessee simply has too much history, tradition, and facilities to be abandoned when most couples are still in the after-glow of the honeymoon.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Kiffin never truly loved Tennessee it's the fans who got jilted. They tried much like a real relationship to see through the flaws and love him anyway, but instead he left them. Kiffin should have just said it in the press conference, "It's not you, it's me."</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tennessee's direction from here really is the biggest question mark in this entire situation.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Reports circulated that Tennessee offered the job to Texas defensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp, a man with deep SEC connections, but he turned Tennessee down. It apepars Muschamp, a Georgia alum, is content to wait to become the head coach at Texas unless an opening were to happen in Athens.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Suddenly the search centered on Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun, who was reportedly the second choice during the search the decided on Kiffin, but he also turned down the Tennessee brass.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Right now there is no certainty involved. Reports are out that say Duke head coach David Cutcliffe is in negotiations. Those negotiations supposedly are hanging on Cutcliffe's insistence to have his entire Duke staff brought on to Knoxville. If the two sides cannot budge then names like Connecticut's Randy Edsall, Utah's Kyle Whittingham, Houston's Kevin Sumlin, or Louisiana Tech's Derek Dooley (yes, son of legendary Georgia head coach Vince Dooley).</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB0gsdKOkii4QhZA0hl96yrOzfKLGjBhvmaAQTiemubs_YLz1Ak0IH5HwT56a6D-rD2zOoowvlg_CqjkPfBZbkCe9wqlCZ4cLtlh_G08oxz0p32jJE2bkA6Na9HFFq8R68PY4rn242OMA/s1600-h/TENNESSEETODAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB0gsdKOkii4QhZA0hl96yrOzfKLGjBhvmaAQTiemubs_YLz1Ak0IH5HwT56a6D-rD2zOoowvlg_CqjkPfBZbkCe9wqlCZ4cLtlh_G08oxz0p32jJE2bkA6Na9HFFq8R68PY4rn242OMA/s320/TENNESSEETODAY.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, but no promises about tomorrow, 14 months from here who knows?</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Trojans Get Boner (Make That Bonehead)</b></span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lane Kiffin was 5-15 as an NFL head coach and is currently 7-6 as a college head coach. That's 12-21 for those of you keeping score at home. So you'd think a guy with a .364 winning percentage would have a hard time keeping a job as a head coach, but you'd be wrong. In fact he went from a horrendous situation at the worst NFL franchise to a top ten college program coming from a period of decline to the dynasty of the past decade in college football. If I were him at this point I'd try going without pants and see if anything you can do would hurt you. He likely had more secondary violations than wins during his season in Knoxville, and certainly earned far more critics than allies. The only SEC school he didn't anger was Tennessee, but then he did that too when he darted across the country to take the Southern California job.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kiffin will bring the beginnings of a good staff with him to Los Angeles. His father, the legend Monte Kiffin, will come with him. Former Ole Miss coach and former SoCal assistant Ed Orgeron will also come with Kiffin, he being a recruiter of the stuff legends are made of. It now appears the widely-circulated rumor of great offensive coordinator Norm Chow leaving UCLA to join Kiffin are false. In all reality that would have just been icing on the cake. I wonder why Southern Cal would have paid $4,000,000 just to listen to his dad call defense and Chow call the offense. I guess Lane would have been the water boy on that staff.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I doubt Kiffin will succeed at Southern California, but the looming investigation by the NCAA might give him the kind of pass he needs to last longer than he deserves. My personal prediction is eventually Kiffin will stick around somewhere long enough for someone to realize he's just not that good. If I am right we will all agree that no coach ever moved so quickly up the ladder with so little a resume of success.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Was Al Davis (right) actually correct? Suddenly he seems the smart one, the more stable one.</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Skip for Joy in Tampa</span></b></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow at noon South Florida will introduce Skip Holtz as their second football coach in school history. It's been a long time coming for a coach who I think was actually hurt more by his time as his father's assistant at South Carolina than anything else. Lou Holtz threw his on under the proverbial bus during his tenure in Columbia. Skip Holtz did a wonderful job prior to that as head coach at Connecticut which was a D-IAA at the time, but success under his tenure included a first round play-off victory and the foundation of the later move to D-IA after Skip's departure. Most recently Skip Holtz guided the East Carolina Pirates of Conference USA for five seasons, including bowl appearances in each of the last four seasons. The records of his teams were 5-6, 7-6, 8-5, 9-5, and 9-5. Those last two years also included victories in the Conference USA Championship Game over Tulsa and 21st-ranked Houston respectively.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skip will do good things at USF, and I for one will be cheering on his success. It is unlikely it seems that former USF coach Jim Leavitt could bring the Bulls to the level that they needed to be at given their natural advantages. South Florida is fertile recruiting ground, the fans in the community and alumni base are growing fast and passionately, and the summit of the Big East is not the impossible dream that other conferences would be. Look for success soon in Tampa.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"He's the best coach in the family" - Lou Holtz</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NFL PICKS</b></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>LAST WEEK</i></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started out poorly with 0-2 on Saturday, but I rebounded nicely on Sunday for 2-2. Much like my Gamecocks, I struggle on Saturdays.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>THE PICKS</i></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cardinals (+7) looking very good, I like Warner to best Brees in the laser fight. 38-33</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ravens (+6.5) have the combo to beat the Colts, run ball and play D. 24-23</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vikings (-2.5) not getting much love, but not sure why Cowboys are as they had advantage over Eagles all year, beat struggling Saints (they also lost to Bucs!), and that's it. 31-17</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chargers (-8.5) aren't the Bengals, too much for offensively-challenged Jets. 27-14</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and now your moment of zen</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C8EUgT2yn0g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C8EUgT2yn0g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span><br />
</div>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-89306246681967872142010-01-08T21:26:00.000-08:002010-01-08T21:26:11.567-08:001/8: BCS Review, Predictions Revisited, NFL Play-Off Thoughts & More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOeZS8nZhRCWdt7bmHcek0scARBg7EKLu5VyoQTRQvDE6idop7iH7qX8t7umIEftxRhbixP1nLH8NMLqv3KeN3eAX5fDLVXrx84wf1KkRZUfrpPAWY50SmtE7qCs74Ma68G8zgGkHADLj/s1600-h/My2009pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOeZS8nZhRCWdt7bmHcek0scARBg7EKLu5VyoQTRQvDE6idop7iH7qX8t7umIEftxRhbixP1nLH8NMLqv3KeN3eAX5fDLVXrx84wf1KkRZUfrpPAWY50SmtE7qCs74Ma68G8zgGkHADLj/s640/My2009pic.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Alabama wins another title (8! No more you lipless in-breds)</span><br />
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On his fifth snap from center Colt McCoy's day was over on a relatively mild play that belied an awful end to a great career. Everything was in place for him to end his career with the stuff dreams are made of, but it was not to be. It also was coming together that the national championship was not going to elude McCoy like the Heisman had through his illustrious career. So Colt McCoy ends his time in college without any remaining eligibility, Heisman trophies, or national championship rings. It is a sad ending to a great career.<br />
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It's tough to really explain this game any further than to say that the Tide appeared to go completely into a prevent offense with a 24-6 halftime lead over Texas. Who could blame them? Texas had to settle for a freshman with only limited mop-up experience after McCoy went out with his shoulder injury. It was Alabama's game to win, but they almost lost it. Just as teams sometime become to complacent on defense with a big lead, Alabama was content to sit on a lead. They forgot that what the back-up lacked in experience he more than made up for in pure talent (he actually had more hype coming to Texas than McCoy did when he got to Austin).<br />
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The only true debate is if the Longhorns would have emerged victorious with four quarters from their senior quarterback. I would argue that it's impossible to know for sure. Alabama likely wouldn't have felt confident enough to recede into a prevent offense with McCoy taking snaps for Texas. It is equally likely that the lead would never have existed. It also seems certain that Alabama's major gaffes early on special teams would have cost them more had McCoy been able to lead the entirety of both drives, but he came out after a first down play on the Alabama 13 yard line. The drive started when Alabama tried a pass on a fake punt from deep in their own territory that was intercepted around the 30 yard line of Alabama, and it seemed headed for pay-dirt until McCoy went down. Instead Texas settled for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. The ensuing kick-off was short and so horribly covered by the Crimson Tide that they were unable to field it before Bevo's bunch pounced on it. Again Texas had merely 30 yards to cover, and again they settled for a field goal and a 6-0 lead. A disastrous remainder of the first half for back-up Texas QB Garrett Gilbert ended with an interception returned for a touchdown to make it 24-6 when teams hit the locker rooms.<br />
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That Gilbert would find his legs seemed anything but a certainty, but find them he did. Riding the dependable WR Jordan Shipley the back-up got it back to a three point deficit at 24-21. Alabama got a possession that reached midfield with around four minutes left and seemed to be ready to sink the final nail in the coffin, but it stalled and they had to punt Texas inside their own ten. It appeared that Alabama was unable to get back to playing the game for real. Could the Alabama defense save them? All of us collectively started to think maybe this was the fairy tale start for another potential star passer in Austin. Images danced in our heads of McCoy hugging Gilbert while they both basked in the glow of the crystal football. Then reality hit in the form a unopposed run, hit, and forced fumble by the vaunted Tide defense. As Alabama recovered the fumble inside the Texas five yard line it was over. Ball game. Some meaningless points were scored and a couple turnovers came as well, but the game was no longer in doubt.<br />
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The only doubt remains as to if Boise State would have beaten Alabama. I say that not because of McCoy's injury, but more because I think they might be that good. Texas Christian knows they'd have put up a better fight than the Longhorns sans-McCoy, but reality says Boise State remains the only team who can claim they deserve a shot. In this season a Texas-Boise State match-up would result in an undisputed champion, but we all know how that goes.<br />
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Keep it strong Boise, we're with you<br />
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Please <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305944-alabama-claims-12-national-championships-reality-claims-otherwise">read this</a> if you're wondering about the varying number of national titles claimed by Alabama, because the real number is 8 now, no matter what they say.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Predictions Revisited</b></span><br />
So it wasn't all bad. My Facebook Predictions vs Reality:<br />
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<b>ACC</b><br />
I had Georgia Tech over NC State for ACC Champ game<br />
Reality had Georgia Tech over Clemson, not too far off even though NC State was bad<br />
My dark horse Duke finished 5-7, if they had a mulligan on the opening loss to Richmond they might've been bowling<br />
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<b>Big East</b><br />
I had Rutgers winning the conference, but Cincinnati won (definitely missed on them)<br />
I had Pittsburgh as my second choice, and they indeed finished second<br />
I had Louisville as my dark horse, they finished 4-8, fired their coach, and hired Charlie Strong<br />
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<b>Big Ten</b><br />
I had Penn State winning, instead my second choice Ohio State won, but Lions were good<br />
I had Minnesota as my dark horse, they finished 6-6 and went the Insight Bowl (not a good pick)<br />
Definitely didn't have Iowa that high, so I missed on them<br />
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<b>Big XII</b><br />
I had Texas over Nebraska in the Big XII Title Game, nice eh?<br />
My dark horse Baylor finished 4-8 after losing their play-making QB in the first few games (mulligan)<br />
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<b>Pac-10</b><br />
I had California winning the conference, but instead Oregon won<br />
I had Southern Cal as my second choice, but they finished more around 4th/5th<br />
My dark horse UCLA needed Army losing in the last game of the year to go bowling at 6-6 (bad)<br />
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<b>SEC</b><br />
TEAM Predicted/Actual W-L Predicted/Actual Bowl<br />
East Florida 12-0,8-0/12-0,8-0 NCG/Sugar<br />
Georgia 8-4,6-2/7-5,4-4 Outback/Independence<br />
S. Carolina 8-4,4-4/7-5,3-5 Peach/Papajohns.com<br />
Tennessee 7-5,3-5/7-5,4-4 Liberty/Peach<br />
Kentucky 6-6,2-6/7-5,3-5 Independence/Music City<br />
Vanderbilt 4-8,1-7/2-10,0-8 None/None<br />
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West LSU 11-1,7-1/9-3,5-3 Sugar/Citrus<br />
Ole Miss 10-2,6-2/8-4,4-4 Cotton/Cotton<br />
Alabama 10-2,6-2/12-0,8-0 Citrus/NCG<br />
Arkansas 8-4,4-4/7-5,3-5 Music City/Liberty<br />
Auburn 6-6,2-6/7-5,3-5 Papajohns.com/Outback<br />
Miss St 4-8,0-8/5-7,3-5 None/None<br />
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So none of my SEC Picks were truly ugly, not a bad year all told.<br />
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<i>BCS My Prediction Versus Reality</i><br />
ROSE: I thought California vs Penn State, but really Oregon vs Ohio State<br />
SUGAR: I thought LSU vs Southern Cal, but really Florida vs Cincinnati<br />
FIESTA: I thought Boise State vs Oklahoma, but really Boise State vs TCU<br />
ORANGE: I thought Georgia Tech vs Rutgers, but really Georgia Tech vs Iowa<br />
NCG: I thought Texas over Florida 27-23, but really Alabama over Texas 37-21<br />
Some of those weren't far off, but some were... *cough* rutgers *cough*<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NFL Play-Off Thoughts (predictions)</b></span><br />
I think the Bengals (-2.5) weren't going to give anything away last week and will beat the Jets 23-13<br />
The Eagles (+3.5) will send Dallas home again without a play-off win 33-31<br />
The Ravens (+3.5) will take advantage of a Welker-less and hobbled Brady to win 27-20<br />
The Cardinals (PK) have the better defense and will defeat the Packers 31-20<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MORE!</b></span><br />
Leavitt fired by South Florida? What's up with these kids getting coaches fired? Please start campaigning for USF to hire Mike Leach so that pirate can have his own ship..... Seahawks fire Jim Mora after one season sounds odd, but Pete Carrol finally heading back to the pros for the opening is the real story. Who would Southern Cal get as their coach? It's gonna be tough to get a good candidate right now..... No word yet out on the Texas Tech coaching search, but I have to believe Tuberville will get the call for his defensive background and that he's the all football all the time type that Leach wasn't..... Al Groh is gonna end up as an assistant somewhere, either to fix Georgia Tech as their defensive coordinator or he will get a job from his old boss Parcels as Miami's outside linebacker's coach.....<br />
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and now your moment of zen<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r8rnFKo4PAE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r8rnFKo4PAE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-48462866427563798972010-01-06T18:30:00.000-08:002010-01-06T18:30:42.998-08:001/6: Birmingham, Leach, Florida Shift, BCS Recap & more<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There's a lot to get caught up on, so we'll just get to the most relevant topics of conversation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Birmingham: Pittsburgh of the South, if Pittsburgh were Cleveland</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The City</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Birmingham has many different areas. We stayed at the Residence Inn in Hoover, just south of the city, and that was definitely a choice spot to stay. Hoover has a lot of restaurants and a good mall in which to waste some quality time. The downtown area where the pep rally was held was good, but it didn't appear to be a very big area of things to do. It appeared that there were a few places but nothing else. We didn't visit the Lakeview District which included the Official Gamecock areas, but that's because we were too cold to anything else on the night we had planned to check it out. The only really bad part of the city was...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The Stadium</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Legion Field is first of all in the worst part of town. Having grown up a hour outside of Orlando I've made many trips to the Citrus Bowl which is noted to be in a bad part of town, highlighted by <a href="http://www.orlandoweekly.com/artsculture/story.asp?id=2555">the illustrious Orange Blossom Trail (aka: OBT).</a> The area surrounding the Citrus Bowl would be considered upscale compared to the area around Legion Field. The actual stadium is actually fairly well maintained given it's limited usage (currently only hosts UAB home games and this bowl game), but it does on the whole leave much to be desired.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The Game Itself</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There's really little I can say other than it was just a pathetic overall experience in terms of Carolina Football. The defense played well except a few bad plays and a blow coverage which still needed a great play by the receiver for Connecticut's first score. Special teams didn't nothing spectacular, but also did nothing negative to hurt the rest of the team either. The real story was the offense.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Connecticut was noted for having a bad defense, one that was ranked in the 70s nationally and hadn't allowed less than 24 points to a D-IA opponent since the 19th of September against Baylor. The Gamecocks gained only 76 yards on the ground, 56 of which was from QB Stephen Garcia who also fumbled on one of those carries. The run game was abandoned early on when a few attempts didn't gain much. The Huskies ran the ball 48 times in the game versus just 26 for Carolina, and only threw it 22 times to Carolina's 38. Garcia only completed 16 of those 38 attempts, but that doesn't truly tell the story of the passing game. Of the 22 incomplete passes most were either not catchable or thrown directly into the hands of receivers who then flat-out dropped them. It is relevant that Connecticut didn't really obtain any type of insurmountable lead from which Carolina had to turn to a straight passing game to try to come back until late in the fourth quarter.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Really the only thing I can say is it was a terrible effort in a terrible cold. Also, one hell of a catch:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mutiny on the SS Leach</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most of this story does not need to be recapped, but if you don't know about the public series of events that led to Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach being fired <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/story?id=4781981">read this</a>. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that the Adam James incident was not the lone or even main reason for Leach's dismissal, but if you need a hint just keep in mind that AD Gerald Myers hired Bobby Knight to coach basketball for the Red Raiders. Clearly Texas Tech administration wasn't chiefly concerned with player treatment, which means there were other reasons. The reasons appear to be that Myers, an former basketball coach, was much more focused on building that program on campus. Keep in mind a new arena was built and Bobby Knight hired, but still it was Leach's football program that drew the fans while the basketball program barely drew flies. Leach became more powerful amongst the media, fans, and alumni than anyone else in Lubbock. It is likely the Leach was aware and used this power to finally negotiate a big extension last year. Leach actually paid for the trip to interview for the University of Washington job last year in order to drive home a point of needing an extension and raise. Myers and the brass in Lubbock seemed at the time to reluctantly grant Leach a great extension and raise following a 11-1 regular season in which their only loss came to Big XII South Champion and national runner-up Oklahoma. It is clear now that with that extension came a trap, which the sometimes controversial but always entertaining <a href="http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/12/30/did-texas-tech-set-trap-for-mike-leach-in-latest-contract/">Clay Travis wrote about in an article</a>. What happened was that Myers & Company made sure they set the trap as they threw out the bait. That this all happened to the son of an ESPN analyst made the story explode nationally as the rope was pulled, tightening around Leach's ankle and raising in the air dangling from a limb.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For Texas Tech it will be difficult to keep the program on top, but rumors are circulating that former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville could end up with the job. It will be difficult to keep the kind of momentum going that Leach started. Leach actually won more bowl games in his ten seasons than the program had won total prior to his arrival. 10 years, 10 bowl games, tough to match for Tech.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For Leach things appear to be far better off. Next off-season Leach will get a job at a school needing a personality and an offense, think Indiana, Illinois, Washington State, or Stanford if Harbaugh is hired away from Palo Alto. This season he is likely to either take the year off or maybe take some of the usual analyst positions, which is what I'm hoping for as he'd provide a lot of entertainment. Keep your sword swinging Mike!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>While the Urban's kind of away, the Jimbo will definitely play</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On December 31, 2009 a highly-touted recruit de-committed from Florida and committed to Florida State. <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/southcarolina/football/recruiting/player-Matt-Elam-88854">Matt Elam</a>, a safety who is ranked the top recruit in the state of Florida and fourteenth in the nation, changed his mind undoubtedly because of Florida coach Urban Meyer's strange week prior to New Year's Eve. There is no certainty regarding Meyer's situation in Gainesville right now, but Florida State's new-found stability with Jimbo Fisher at the helm is an asset of certainty right now. It is unclear if this shift is just a blip or if it is a sign of things to come. You should keep your eye on recruiting for Florida now for who they lose, who they don't get, and if Florida State beats them out for some of those prized recruits. The shift will only have great impact if recruiting this year goes crazy or if the Meyer situation drags in to future seasons, the second being much more likely than the first.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We have to just sit and wait at this point, but what can Meyer and his staff be telling recruits that makes any sense to anyone? If you were a recruit or a recruit's parents would you believe Meyer if he said he'll be back? All good questions, no real answers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4 BCS Bowls, 3 Thoughts Each</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ohio State still has plenty of pride, and was tired of the criticism.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oregon has their off days, but needs to avoid them in January.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First Big Ten Champ vs Pac-10 Champ Rose bowl in a decade was cleansing to the college football soul.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Sugar Bowl</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Departure of Tebow, Strong, and possibly Meyer didn't happen until after January 1st.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cincinnati's defense was as advertised, but without Brian Kelly the offense couldn't compensate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The smell was Cincinnati's football future burning in a blaze of glorious fail.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Fiesta Bowl</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Boise State has a far better defense than anyone thought.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TCU's offense proved their downfall as they gave up a touchdown on a turnover and produced only 10 points.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's important to not take from this that TCU was not national title worthy, but rather take that Boise is damn good.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Orange Bowl</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Iowa is one heck of a bowl team, and the Big Ten completed their impressive bowl season.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Georgia Tech is a terrible bowl team, the ACC is awful, and that offense looked downright pitiful.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This game wasn't the best, but a vast improvement over recent editions of the bowl.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wrapping It Up</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'll have a National Title review and some NFL Play-offs preview Friday or Saturday, until then...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Your moment of zen</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-35877003877726401402009-12-27T17:53:00.000-08:002009-12-27T17:53:41.831-08:0012/27: Urban Decision & Some NFL Talk<b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Urban Meyer Cares Not If None of the Past 48 Hours Makes Sense to Anyone</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So yesterday during an otherwise competitive (if not all that entertaining) bowl game between Pitt and North Carolina that Urban Meyer was stepping down for health reasons. The news initially shocked everyone, caught everyone off guard, and generally made for mass confusion and an ESPN frenzy. News slowly developed to the point where the most definitive chronicle of the problem was a <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1163435">Dec 7th article in Sports Illustrated</a> by S.L. Price which talked about how Meyer had an arachnoid cyst on his brain that caused him great discomfort. The article was otherwise a fairly in-depth description of Meyer's drive and personal ambition. Then <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/sports/ncaafootball/27florida.html?_r=2&ref=sports">a NY Times article by Pete Thamel</a> based on a phone conversation with Meyer came out that really gave great detail. It was clear from the article that Meyer was concerned that he could not half-coach, and if he gave it the full 100% that he was afraid for his health. This of course is really scary for someone with three still fairly young children. This all made sense, even if it did catch us all by surprise. So then I, like most, went to bed wondering who Florida could hire and how recruiting would be affected in the interim.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then today the story suddenly shifted and it was released that Meyer was changing his mind. Meyer decided to take a leave of absence during which he could calm down, re-evaluate, and get things straightened out. Meanwhile offensive coordinator, and fan whipping boy, Steve Addazio will serve as interim head coach. Suddenly Meyer no longer was thinking of family only, but decided he wasn't quite ready to give up coaching for now. This whole story just sounded confusing, then came the press conference, the whole world watching, here are the highlights:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Meyer refused to answer based on confidentiality when asked if doctors instructed him to step down for his health.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- He was caught completely off-guard and unsure when asked who would hire the new defensive coordinator.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- He was also only able to say he felt good that he would be coaching in 2010.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- He was also generally looking tired and confused during the entire press conference.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Meyer also ended his press conference saying he would be calling Steve Spurrier for advice on how to manage stress of the job.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I see there being three possibilities to what is really going on here:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Meyer is just doing this in order to save face in recruiting and Florida AD Jeremy Foley has a full year to find a full-time replacement.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Meyer doesn't want to totally rule out a return, and so kept the door open.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3) Meyer is going to seriously give it a try to change his style of coaching in order to keep going.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If it's #1 then I award Urbie points for taking care of Florida be doing this. If it's #2 then I understand that he doesn't want Florida to hire someone won't just step down if and when Meyer feels up to it again. The problem I have is if it's #3. Urban Meyer is a high energy and 100% intense coach in all phases of the game. He concerns himself with every aspect of his team all day every day. He talked in his press conference about taking it as a personal failure when they lose and staying up until 4:00AM to work on fixing it. The question is if Meyer can be successful without being that way, because if he can't then he should step aside and realize that this isn't going to work. Meyer in many ways is the kind of perfectionist that thinks intensely every waking hour about making his team better. He undoubtedly spends more time on recruiting than any other coach on his staff. The fact is what works for Spurrier isn't spending all night working with the staff and spending as much time on the playbook as recruiting. The Head Ball Coach likes to golf, leaves recruiting more to his assistants than to himself, and is unlikely to ever be in his office past midnight.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If Meyer cannot win at this kind of pace with a diminished energy level then what kind of end will come in Gainesville. This has disaster written all over it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some NFL Talk</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not going to spend a lot of time on this, but here are some quick thoughts I had today watching NFL games (for the record I enjoy NFL as well, but only now is it necessary to write about it as the college season winds down):</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- The AFC play-off picture is really confusing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- The New York Jets control their own destiny, for reasons I am unaware of.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- My Jacksonville Jaguars would be worst play-off team in NFL history if they make it in somehow, seriously.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- NY Giants right now hold award for NFL Choke of the Year.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- On a related note, Matt Moore, interesting.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Saints, Vikings, and Colts are not going to be playing in Super Bowl for the following reasons: Saints stepped into the empty elevator shaft when they lost to Cowboys, but we all saw it coming as they started struggling every week. Vikings are imploding before our eyes with Favre, AP being stopped, and their secondary showing continued vulnerability. Colts rested starters in second half in loss to Jets, therefor Jim Caldwell learned nothing from Tony Dungy's play-off futility following great regular seasons when starters were rested in the last couple weeks of the year. YOU GET A BYE WEEK FIRST ROUND OF PLAY-OFFS!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NFL talk will increase when bowls are over, until then I can focus on the college game... yay.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and now your moment of zen:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1sepngEKH1E&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1sepngEKH1E&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-31998442238256286812009-12-24T10:06:00.000-08:002009-12-24T10:06:52.781-08:0012/24: COUNTERPOINT - Why JJ isn't the male athlete of the year<b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">COUNTERPOINT to what?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My article is in response to <a href="http://robbiemays38.blogspot.com/2009/12/jimmie-johnson-named-ap-male-athlete-of.html">my esteemed colleague Robbie Mays' post</a> regarding Jimmie Johnson winning AP Male Athlete of the Year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now for my argument</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When I heard this announced I was surprised. I too shared in the amazement that the mainstream sports media was finally comfortably voting a NASCAR driver to such a high honor. It does say a lot about how much NASCAR has become a more mainstream sport than ever before, for better or worse. Jimmie Johnson's four championships in a row is a true testament to his abilities given that technological advantages are not a great as they were back when over half the field didn't even compete every week. NASCAR has done everything in its power to prevent a single driver or team from blowing away the field. Not just a few decades ago it took a simple breakthrough and there would someone go on a tear of dominance. That's not today's NASCAR, competition has been legislated and regulated. That's why Johnson's achievement is so great.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There's only one problem with this historic moment: Johnson is not the Male Athlete of the Year. Is he the Athlete of the Past Four Years? Yes, but that's not what this award is supposed to be. Johnson won the championship, but he was by no means the dominating athlete of the sport. This year NASCAR had a champion but not a dominant force. Is Johnson the most dominating athlete of the past half-decade, of course and that's the award he should win.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My AP Male Athlete of the Year</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Roger Federer</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the four Grand Slams of tennis Federer won two and was runner-up in the other two. A sport like tennis does not lend itself to an overall champion like NASCAR does, but that does not mean that Federer did not dominate in a way that would have resulted in an overwhelming championship as best in his sport. I don't like tennis, but that does not mean that it isn't a sport worth the award. Believing otherwise would just mean we've become the pot vs the traditional media's kettle in the cross-cultural sports perspective.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Others that would have been acceptable: Kobe Bryant, Albert Pujols, and.... Jimmie Johnson</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kobe Bryant was again an all-star, again a champion, and again a Finals MVP. His dominance in basketball gets obscured by the hype surrounding LeBron James, but come play-off time it's Kobe who sets himself apart.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Albert Pujols hit .327 with 47 HR while leading the Cardinals to the play-offs. Is there any doubt that if not for Pujols the Cardinals would be struggling just to make the play-offs? He led a team that resembled baseball's version of the Land of Misfit Toys.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jimmie Johnson cannot be denied high consideration, and I just wanted to make it clear that I don't discount his prominence amongst athletes today.</span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-41126624314701301452009-12-16T19:18:00.000-08:002009-12-16T19:18:09.944-08:0012/16- Big Ten Expansion, Because They Can<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Big Ten Catching-Up, 2006 Florida Team Still Not Worried</b></span><br />
<b>... and 2007 LSU .... and every other SEC Team last year (except South Carolina, of course, Iowa)</b><br />
So, the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4745381">Big Ten is finally making an effort towards expansion to twelve members</a>. I'm sure some of you at home somewhere ask which two schools they are adding, to which I note as always that the Big Ten has eleven members right now. There were ten until they added Penn State over a decade ago. After expansion the Big Ten will have to again consider a name change, but I'd say it's safe to venture that they won't. I think there are any number of appropriate names post-expansion:<br />
- Midwest Conference<br />
- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">Mid-American Conference</span><br />
- Little 12<br />
- Shitacular in Bowl Games Conference<br />
- Fuck it's Cold! Conference<br />
- We Hate Children Conference<br />
- Big..... Conference<br />
- The SEC's Bitches Conference<br />
Ok, so in all reality it's not that easy to come up with a new name, so don't expect a change.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Expansion Candidates</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rXmSQu4C6l9oRgHfyHVgeGvYKSy05fZMr1rN3b-WTPxLHFa_hC01QviVAwvHn2WT0iASacC6oiRmUjHcC5qSD40kW04ou_HGA5QqD4TpDTFjPBK85Uihz1WCFg1rTb3TvpCHIgSokmuE/s1600-h/BigTen_map-300x214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rXmSQu4C6l9oRgHfyHVgeGvYKSy05fZMr1rN3b-WTPxLHFa_hC01QviVAwvHn2WT0iASacC6oiRmUjHcC5qSD40kW04ou_HGA5QqD4TpDTFjPBK85Uihz1WCFg1rTb3TvpCHIgSokmuE/s320/BigTen_map-300x214.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>As you can see from the above map of Big Ten schools, the conference right now is concentrated in the Mid-West and has lots of big media markets. Included in the conference's footprint is Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Columbus. All these markets have pro sports teams and are very much big ratings cities for sports. Keep in mind the Big Ten is very concerned about using expansion to increase their market geographically. So, the candidates are:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkEeDtiJHdT7WUZF9A68wiZDSzZbqXqOxAYo-FnBs2-b7T2IplC3e_8aBEHFZqIqUIioCDDBScm8HPHfhhenWPv26Vp7rqM9F7I3lDCnIIVQ986BdyQNXRdxS7uV7WFoip0woUy2NLSg-/s1600-h/Missouri.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkEeDtiJHdT7WUZF9A68wiZDSzZbqXqOxAYo-FnBs2-b7T2IplC3e_8aBEHFZqIqUIioCDDBScm8HPHfhhenWPv26Vp7rqM9F7I3lDCnIIVQ986BdyQNXRdxS7uV7WFoip0woUy2NLSg-/s320/Missouri.gif" /></a><br />
</div><br />
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<i>MISSOURI</i><br />
PRO: This may not seem a sexy selection, but it actually would make a lot of sense for all parties. It would give the Big Ten a bigger market in St Louis and Kansas City, which Illinois right now does impact to a smaller extent. This is large, public university with solid academics (journalism *cough*) and a decent basketball program history. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this possibility is the conference jumble that could result: Missouri to Big Ten, Arkansas or TCU to Big 12, and if Arkansas then SEC robs ACC of somebody.<br />
CON: Would Missouri really bolt from the Big 12?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM1x_hIVtP5m3uwCXKwKzj1kTEBP4AUi11C6683GqP88_2ycrZIqWxJk3a2bKW5ytGBAENaVR8sfOJgHTJsLq2Ej9kImc-icP3a4w6zcv5_LmbAYPHfZlu4v9c2ElGcPmm_4PtWJ-084h/s1600-h/Pittsburgh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM1x_hIVtP5m3uwCXKwKzj1kTEBP4AUi11C6683GqP88_2ycrZIqWxJk3a2bKW5ytGBAENaVR8sfOJgHTJsLq2Ej9kImc-icP3a4w6zcv5_LmbAYPHfZlu4v9c2ElGcPmm_4PtWJ-084h/s320/Pittsburgh.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />
<i>PITTSBURGH</i><br />
PRO: This is a further expansion of the Pennsylvania area market, and a natural add based on geography. Another program with football, basketball, and academics.<br />
CON: Will JoePa let this happen? My feeling is he still doesn't want to acknowledge another Pennsylvania football program, old bitterness. Another issue is that it does not really add to their market, but only enhances their current presence in this area.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89AYqgnqRWLUl4tRr1lae4QVAmDHUh9_d8vUy-T7FmkgB1tt5sUbKydjoY_7aq1JeEoILzRXvlWZ-XLtHjzD-NBD2XX4W7AU5rTgNmqth4hlK1yHJFywmxpYszzh5YsPRfo8CP6y7ZeUN/s1600-h/Rutgers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89AYqgnqRWLUl4tRr1lae4QVAmDHUh9_d8vUy-T7FmkgB1tt5sUbKydjoY_7aq1JeEoILzRXvlWZ-XLtHjzD-NBD2XX4W7AU5rTgNmqth4hlK1yHJFywmxpYszzh5YsPRfo8CP6y7ZeUN/s320/Rutgers.jpg" /></a><br />
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<i>RUTGERS</i><br />
PRO: You want market-share? I got your market-share right here. This is big-time add to the media market with New York coming into play. Despite being bad for much of their history the program is improved and has great tradition (first college football game participants).<br />
CON: This is a situation where maybe the Big Ten doesn't want to bring their market out of the Mid-West, but if they don't mind this might be the best fit financially. The brand of this program nation-wide is not very good still.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n1HXkPAcoJ12d0ng0KWFiYLwbPMoplDe1lAwBNgpPnRBJLRF4vUCzfwQs3XfraGgVOginix69nERq5iywL6FRbbkr1qW6llunlFgmOOMMn1P-X9V0jzt-aFkPZ2fpPtIoL9BAEKnBuTo/s1600-h/Syracuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n1HXkPAcoJ12d0ng0KWFiYLwbPMoplDe1lAwBNgpPnRBJLRF4vUCzfwQs3XfraGgVOginix69nERq5iywL6FRbbkr1qW6llunlFgmOOMMn1P-X9V0jzt-aFkPZ2fpPtIoL9BAEKnBuTo/s320/Syracuse.jpg" /></a><br />
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<i>SYRACUSE</i><br />
PRO: Many of the same as Rutgers, but the expansion into New York market is slightly less. However the tradition and sports fit. This might be the compromise pick for may as it is in a rural part of the state (like much of Big Ten). Good brand on history of sports programs.<br />
CON: Also much the same as Rutgers, but the lesser market hurts more. Also being a small private school makes them different.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFdK8vt9HZtGW0A2__VBzHyzosUoxLM1sPnOnpEBpRnGNrNlrcBodWTHJHpCrWpDsBoGOkNsQi4zYwX4hSFrhAnJBqb2YMbUP1LaWEkLNts_QZlAQLAIvF-Iz9FsAp6mP2vLWVEYL0NVX/s1600-h/Louisville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFdK8vt9HZtGW0A2__VBzHyzosUoxLM1sPnOnpEBpRnGNrNlrcBodWTHJHpCrWpDsBoGOkNsQi4zYwX4hSFrhAnJBqb2YMbUP1LaWEkLNts_QZlAQLAIvF-Iz9FsAp6mP2vLWVEYL0NVX/s320/Louisville.jpg" /></a><br />
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<i>LOUISVILLE</i><br />
PRO: I think this one makes a lot of sense even if many don't consider this a strong candidate. They have a strong basketball program, a decent football program with the right coach, and it fits right into the geography of the Big Ten as it's just across the river from a Big Ten state.<br />
CON: Less tradition in football than others. Just does not have the Big Ten feel, and the media market is not an appealing add.<br />
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<b>OTHERS</b><br />
<i>NOTRE DAME: </i>They will say no again, so no need to review.<br />
<i>CONNECTICUT: </i>Good media expansion, but big travel reach.<br />
<i>BOSTON COLLEGE: </i>Fantastic media expansion, but again travel issue.<br />
<i>ARMY or NAVY: </i>I like the idea, but academies might not want to join and not much to add.<br />
<i>CINCINNATI: </i>Geography is there, but also... Jim Tressel on Line 1, Mr Delaney.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65IMQ6CFxwHOT7nh6lFf89-WokTGrDEUj0F8HE3WOomEUFGZz8C7IxqJzHl1xvYAZdwEPNV4habphnETsomesE49mqeF3WMwGwd6bGpyhqppIwxFUZHiN7hdkWZzEJUmxuQ2EUeMPeOjn/s1600-h/BigTen_map-300x214exp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65IMQ6CFxwHOT7nh6lFf89-WokTGrDEUj0F8HE3WOomEUFGZz8C7IxqJzHl1xvYAZdwEPNV4habphnETsomesE49mqeF3WMwGwd6bGpyhqppIwxFUZHiN7hdkWZzEJUmxuQ2EUeMPeOjn/s320/BigTen_map-300x214exp.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>You mean there's more than 12 games? December?</b></span><br />
Of course all this means that the Big Ten would move into two divisions and use the SEC model for a championship game design. Most likely an East vs West would develop naturally. Rivalries would remain in place as much as possible, so many trophies to preserve. My question is where to hold a championship game. Do you hold it in the same place every year? (see: SEC Atlanta) Do you rotate it? (Big 12) Do people show up? (ACC)<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Championship Game Locations Possible:</i><br />
<i>- Indianapolis, IN (Lucas Oil Stadium)</i><br />
<i>- Detroit, MI (Ford Field)</i><br />
<i>- Minneapolis, MN (Metrodome)</i><br />
<i>- St Louis, MO (Edward Jones Dome) if Missouri added</i><br />
<i>- Cleveland, OH (Browns Stadium)</i><br />
<i>- Chicago, IL (Soldier Field)</i><br />
<i>- Pittsburgh, PA (Heinz Field)</i><br />
<i>- East Rutherford, NJ (New Giants Stadium) if Rutgers added</i><br />
<i>- Buffalo, NY (Ralph Wilson Stadium) if Syracuse added</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
I would assume if indoors then Indianapolis or Detroit are the most likely choices.<br />
If outdoors then Chicago, Cleveland, or Pittsburgh are most likely choices.<br />
The real question is will the Big Ten hold their game outdoors? Before you answer consider that with Minnesota opening their new stadium this season all current Big Ten member play in outdoor stadiums despite weather. It would be presumably be played either the week of or week before the SEC/Big XII/ACC Championship Game weekend.RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835880603456015866.post-87120528166509238032009-12-07T17:51:00.000-08:002009-12-07T17:51:55.024-08:00The Monday After Math: 12/7 - BCS BS, Heisman Hype, and the Kids Table<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>BCS BS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>A Series of Unfortunate Events</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The year-long march to a Florida-Texas National Title Showdown of Heisman QBs came to an end Saturday in the Georgia Dome and almost was destroyed in the Jerry Dome.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First came an absolute destruction of the reigning National Champion Florida Gators at the hand of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The stats for this game are staggering for Florida. Florida averaged 442 yards per game on the season, 225 on the ground and 217 through the air, and allowed an average of 253 yards per game, 102 on the ground and 151 through the air. On Saturday Alabama gave up 335 yards, 247 through the air in mostly garbage time and 88 on the ground, and gained 490 yards, 251 on the ground and 239 through the air. The offensive numbers for the Tide and the rushing stats for Florida are what you should really look at to understand what happened in this game. Alabama just lined up and smacked Florida in the mouth offensively and they never recovered as a team. Of those 88 yards only 26 came from players other than Tebow, and the Gators abandoned the run early as they only rushed the ball four times with anyone not named Tim Tebow. The only question that really needs to be asked is if Florida was afraid to run the ball? I really ask it now as I review the stats and realize how thoroughly Florida avoided running the ball. So for all the talk about the Gator D playing poorly, the offense did little on their end to play the typical Florida defensive game.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was so bad that the words were never as poignant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">....and just when you thought you were shocked then Big XII happened. Texas racked up a walloping 202 total yards of offense, were intercepted three times, gained 18 yards on the ground, and scored a grand total of 13 points. Still those stats were enough to beat a Nebraska team that has quite possibly the country's best defense paired with an offense that might be the worst in the history of football teams that finished above .500. Nebraska gained 106 yards. They also threw three interceptions but I just wanted the total yardage to stand as its own sentence and statement of how putrid the Huskers are when they have the ball. Not only does Nebraska have a great defense, but their kicker <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bs8QpXi7Mc&feature=related">has a 57-yarder to the credit of his huge leg</a>. Everyone saw this game and therefor I won't go into much more detail.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ladies and Gentlemen, the Nebraska offense!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>BCS BS Display on Fox at 8PM Sunday Night</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We all knew that with the Texas survival went not only the hopes and prayers of thousands of Cincinnati and TCU but also those of every college football fan who wants the BCS to die and saw its mortality in those waning moments of Nebraska's lead. It was all at that point dead. A match-up between Alabama and Texas is something no one will complain about since they are traditional powers who were expected to contend. For the record it should be noted that Cincinnati would have faced Alabama had Texas fallen. While I know it's tough to compare Texas to TCU given conference affiliation, but if Cincinnati with no defense and in the Big East had surpassed TCU to play for the National Championship I'd lead the march on Indianapolis to abolish the BCS. It would seem not to matter who plays Alabama given how they played on Saturday but five weeks is a long time for things to change and no games to be played.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Heisman Hype</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">BREAKING: Finalists Announced</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First a straight statement of facts regard the Heisman finalists as announced today:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford (1,736 yards 28 TD rushing, both lead the nation)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (82 tackles including 12 sacks, best defensive player in nation by far)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (1,542 yards 15 TD rushing, on #1 team in country)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Colt McCoy, QB, Texas (3,515 yards 27 TD 12 INT passing, 348 yards 3 TD rushing)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tim Tebow, QB, Florida (2,413 yards 18 TD 5 INT passing, 859 yards 13 TD rushing)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Breaking Down the Candidates</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gerhart is the guy with all the stats on a team that went 8-4 and won't play in a big-time bowl game. He might be the best offensive player in college football right now and has at least the statistics to show that. What helps Gerhart is the geography of voting and his being the only west coast player of note in the race, but what hurts him is Stanford went 8-4 and will face Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Suh is the guy who made the biggest splash on the last day before most voting took place. His 4.5 sacks and overall dominating performance against the Longhorns gave Suh the game by which we can all measure his greatness. What helps Suh is that he is the best player in college football and had a great stage to show off on vs Texas, but what hurts him is he plays defensive tackle.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingram is the guy who is the best individual player on the best team in the country. I really can't find much of a rationale other than that because it doesn't seem to matter who runs behind that offensive line in the scheme they run. Trent Richardson looks just as good when he comes in. What helps Ingram is he will be on the field for the national championship game, but what hurts him is his stats leave something to be desired by comparison.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">McCoy is the guy who had a great season on a great team. He is the only player we can reasonably associate with the Texas Longhorns the last couple of years. What helps McCoy is that he is a quarterback playing for a national title who has twice missed out on the trophy despite good seasons, but what hurts McCoy is his worst game came this past weekend in the Big XII title game vs the best defense he's seen and one of the few defenses of any note.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tebow is the career achievement invitee. This one really steams me given that there is no rational reason to invite his to the ceremony. What helps him is that apparently he is the second coming, but what hurts him is his season wasn't that good and Florida won't be in the national title game.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>My Ballot?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As I would have had it:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. Toby Gerhart - I think best player is how the award should work</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. Ndamukong Suh - Since the trophy doesn't have an "offensive" qualifier I can't vote him any lower</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. C.J. Spiller - I hate Clemson, but know he's a greatplayer and Clemson is garbage without him</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Colt McCoy - Great player, and his not having won it yet helps his case for me</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. Mark Ingram - I don't think he's that good really, but it's hard to put anyone else here</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Kids Table</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"Reservations for two, please." "Ah, I see you're with the Frog-Bronco party, right this way."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'll make this point as quickly as possible.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Having TCU and Boise State play each other in the Fiesta Bowl is the equivalent of letting someone into a restaurant and seating them at the kids table. "Yeah, you can eat here, but you can't sit with the big people." is what the BCS said yesterday when they announced the match-ups. Don't get me wrong, it will likely be the best game of the five BCS games, but still there is not chance for either team to prove anything. The big boys of the BCS and their conferences were afraid of the thought that there could be two undefeated non-AQ with wins over BCS conference teams in bowl games. Any possibility that TCU could pass up to #1 with a Texas win over Alabama are gone, and you know that was on their minds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>They say "It's the best system," much like Communism in Russia, right?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There's an easy way to fix this, here's my schedule for a play-of this year:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First Round- Saturday, December 19th</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Noon: Orange Bowl = Georgia Tech (ACC) vs Cincinnati (Big East)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:30: Sugar Bowl = Alabama (SEC) vs Boise State (#2 non-AQ)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7:00: Rose Bowl = Oregon (Pac-10) vs Ohio State (Big Ten)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10:30: Fiesta Bowl = Texas (Big XII) vs TCU (#1 non-AQ)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Second Round- Saturday, January 2nd</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:30: Eastern Semi-final- Orange Bowl Champ vs Sugar Bowl Champ in Jacksonville, FL</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8:00: Western Semi-final- Rose Bowl Champ vs Fiesta Bowl Champ in San Diego, CA</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Championship Game- Saturday, January 9th</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8:00: Eastern Semi-final winner vs Western Semi-final winner in Indianapolis, IN</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Three Parting Shots</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Team Spirit Movement of 2009</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Runaway winner here:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BmIsIuL1sYA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BmIsIuL1sYA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They've got <a href="http://www.thefightingwannstaches.com/">a website</a> with shirts, hats, signs, and even new gear with a tire added for their bowl game.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Best Ending of 2009</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was one of eight people watching this live, but was greatest ending since Stanford-Cal band pass:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WYDuQqAbAsc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WYDuQqAbAsc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The game included 105 points, 964 total yards of offense, 47 first downs, the obligatory 2 INT for Juice Williams, and 1.5 millions reasons a year Illini fans are going to continue kicking themselves through 2014.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Coach Flip-Out of 2009</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another game I watched as it happened, Lynch gets bonus points if I found out the gum stuck the landing</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZSM5JVpKQN4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZSM5JVpKQN4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I chose this particular clip to further illustrate Lynch was completely within his rights to flip-out. It was still early enough in the season to know Michigan was getting some help from the Big Ten, who desperately tried to prop up the Wolverines. For more on that, here's a bonus fourth parting shot with <i>Rivalry Moment Caught on Tape of 2009</i>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-bM5MHH6CNU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-bM5MHH6CNU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></span>RooftopHecklerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962994180720808001noreply@blogger.com0