Not too long ago I was sitting in Johnson Coliseum, watching the Kats play, and I had some what of a mushy moment. As I watched all the "new age" Kat Krazies carry on a tradition that I had helped to start, I began to think of all the great memories I've had in that place. From Boney Watson's bank shot three to win the game in the tourney, to seeing Eddy Fobbs swat balls 4 rows deep into the stands, all the way to "Hi, my name is; Bo Quinn," the memories run deep. Then I went deeper and realized how many great sports memories I've had in general. So here are my top 7 sports memories, I hope you enjoy and even share with me a few of your favorite moments as well.
#7- The Roof at Hollemon Field: Let's face it, Hollemon field wasn't the nicest place to watch a baseball game. It was hot, didn't have lights, and the Kats weren't always the greatest teams in the conference. But some of my best memories were up on the bathroom roof, talking trash to the opposing teams bullpen and watching Gunner Herrera climb everything in sight. When the Kats played their final game there it felt as if a piece of me was shutting down with it.
#6- The Dome: The first major league game I can ever remember going to was when i was 8 years old. It was Reds vs. Astros at the Astrodome. The feeling I got walking through the tunnel and seeing, the field, and the crowd, and the scoreboard could be compared to when Dorothy stepped out of her house and into Oz for the first time. The part of the game I remember most, was flipping the seat next to me, up and down, just being a typical little kid, and having Barry Larkin hit a frozen rope line drive off the seat two seats down from me. That's when i learned to always pay attention at baseball games.
#5- The Comeback: On August 6th 2001, I watched the greatest comeback in Major League Baseball history. The Seattle Mariners were playing the Cleveland Indians and had jumped out to a 14-2 lead. My dad came in frequently to tell me the game was over and I was an idiot. I kept faith and the Indians scored 3 runs in the 7th inning, 4 runs in the 8th inning and 5 runs in the 9th inning, the tying runs coming on an Omar Vizquel triple that scored Will Cordero, Einar Diaz, and Kenny Lofton. When Jolbert Cabrera singled to score Lofton in the 11th inning, it completed the greatest game I've ever seen.
#4- First Hit: When I was 4 years old I got my first baseball bat. A plastic bat and ball set my cousin had given me for my birthday. I took it out into the yard and had my dad toss me a few. After a couple swings and misses, I finally lined a screamer over my dad's head. As i rounded the imaginary bases and watch my dad chasing down the ball, I began falling in love with the game.
#3- The Shot: In 2003, the Sam Houston State Bearkats made the finals of the Southland Conference basketball tournament. My mom, (the most awesome mom in the world by the way) got a few friends and me out of school early so we could get to the game and get our seats, since the game was on ESPN. The game, which was against Sam's bitter rival Stephen F. Austin, was close for 44 minutes. That is until the legendary Donald Cole, drilled a three pointer in the closing seconds of overtime for a 69-66 victory. Thrill and excitement, poured over me as we stormed the court and celebrated my teams birth in the NCAA tournament.
#2- Going Yard: Anybody that knows my sports history, knows that I idolize Jim Thome. When I was 9, I got to see him in person for the first time ever, at The Ballpark in Arlington. Jim didn't disappoint. He crushed a towering upper deck home run to right field. The best part about it was that I was in the first deck. Seeing a ball that my idol hit, fly straight over my head, is one of the coolest things I've ever experienced in my life.
#1- Weekend Getaway: The last tournament of my senior year in baseball was in a town named Jasper, Texas. Our coach was from around the area, so we spent the weekend at his lake house there. I will leave it up to the imagination about the events that took place that weekend with 17 high school baseball players all under one roof. The guys who were there and who read this, I'm sure will smile at the memories they have of the weekend, but I will say, the bonds and memories we made that weekend will last the rest of my life.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Life's Not Fair, The BCS Should Be
A lot of people talk about what is wrong with the BCS. Most people say it's a joke and there needs to be a playoff system. I myself am a BCS playoff system with bowl games for the lesser teams kind of guy. Personally I don't care about the BCS and if it never changes I would be fine with that. But I heard an argument not too long ago that if they are going to keep the BCS, why not just make every conference a BCS conference? Some of you might think this is crazy, but is it?
Think about it. First of all, non BCS teams are 3-1 all time in BCS bowl games. Utah has won two BCS games beating Pitt 35-7 in 2005 and Alabama 31-17 in 2008. On a geographical note there are 16 states who don't have a BCS team and another 9 that have just one BCS team. Football should be widespread enough that fans everywhere can see their teams in the BCS games. Perhaps the most important thing to contribute to this theory is the fact that the BCS committee has decided that strength of schedule does not count towards the BCS poll. So therefore Texas can schedule UTEP and Florida can schedule Florida International year in and year out and still be ranked in the Top 5. BCS teams are playing the same schools as non BCS teams, so why should it matter what conference they are from.
This leads me to my next argument. TCU deserves a shot in the BCS National Championship game. Not over Florida, they have won 22 straight games, are the defending National Champions and are the clear cut number 1 team in the nation. TCU doesn't deserve it over Alabama because in order for the Tide to get there they will have beaten that number 1 team. That only leaves one team for it to be and yes that's right, that is the Texas Longhorns.
Take a look at the two teams. Both are 12-0 and have played great seasons.
Both teams have Heisman type players in Colt McCoy and Jerry Hughes (yes I am a firm believer that defensive players should win more Heisman trophies.)
Both get excellent play from their quarterbacks. Colt McCoy from Texas has 3328 yards 27 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and a QB rating of 152, while Andy Dalton from TCU has 2484 yards 22 touchdowns 5 interceptions and a QB rating of 156.
Both teams score quite a few points. Texas is at 43 points per game while TCU sits at 41. On the other side of the ball Texas gives up 15 points per game while TCU gives up just 12.
But the thing that sticks out most to me is the schedules that each team has played this year. Throw out the fact that they both beat Wyoming by a combined 66 points. But look at the fact that TCU beat two BCS conference teams in non conference play (Clemson and Virginia) this season while Texas scheduled none. Also the fact that TCU beat three top 25 opponents in Clemson, BYU and Utah, while Texas defeated just two in Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. And for those of you who are quick to write off the BYU win, remember that BYU scored more points and beat Oklahoma before Texas did. And Texas beat Oklahoma without their starting Quarterback, Tight End (leading receiver) and Left Tackle. 12-0 looks good either way but when you break it down and look at how each team got there, it looks like TCU had the tougher road.
In no way am I trying to downplay the season that Texas has had this year. I feel like Texas deserves to be right where they are but I also feel that TCU deserves it more. But let me ask you a question. Take away the names from both of the resumes that I just gave you and tell me which one do you think deserves it more? You'll have a hard time not picking the Horned Frogs.
Think about it. First of all, non BCS teams are 3-1 all time in BCS bowl games. Utah has won two BCS games beating Pitt 35-7 in 2005 and Alabama 31-17 in 2008. On a geographical note there are 16 states who don't have a BCS team and another 9 that have just one BCS team. Football should be widespread enough that fans everywhere can see their teams in the BCS games. Perhaps the most important thing to contribute to this theory is the fact that the BCS committee has decided that strength of schedule does not count towards the BCS poll. So therefore Texas can schedule UTEP and Florida can schedule Florida International year in and year out and still be ranked in the Top 5. BCS teams are playing the same schools as non BCS teams, so why should it matter what conference they are from.
This leads me to my next argument. TCU deserves a shot in the BCS National Championship game. Not over Florida, they have won 22 straight games, are the defending National Champions and are the clear cut number 1 team in the nation. TCU doesn't deserve it over Alabama because in order for the Tide to get there they will have beaten that number 1 team. That only leaves one team for it to be and yes that's right, that is the Texas Longhorns.
Take a look at the two teams. Both are 12-0 and have played great seasons.
Both teams have Heisman type players in Colt McCoy and Jerry Hughes (yes I am a firm believer that defensive players should win more Heisman trophies.)
Both get excellent play from their quarterbacks. Colt McCoy from Texas has 3328 yards 27 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and a QB rating of 152, while Andy Dalton from TCU has 2484 yards 22 touchdowns 5 interceptions and a QB rating of 156.
Both teams score quite a few points. Texas is at 43 points per game while TCU sits at 41. On the other side of the ball Texas gives up 15 points per game while TCU gives up just 12.
But the thing that sticks out most to me is the schedules that each team has played this year. Throw out the fact that they both beat Wyoming by a combined 66 points. But look at the fact that TCU beat two BCS conference teams in non conference play (Clemson and Virginia) this season while Texas scheduled none. Also the fact that TCU beat three top 25 opponents in Clemson, BYU and Utah, while Texas defeated just two in Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. And for those of you who are quick to write off the BYU win, remember that BYU scored more points and beat Oklahoma before Texas did. And Texas beat Oklahoma without their starting Quarterback, Tight End (leading receiver) and Left Tackle. 12-0 looks good either way but when you break it down and look at how each team got there, it looks like TCU had the tougher road.
In no way am I trying to downplay the season that Texas has had this year. I feel like Texas deserves to be right where they are but I also feel that TCU deserves it more. But let me ask you a question. Take away the names from both of the resumes that I just gave you and tell me which one do you think deserves it more? You'll have a hard time not picking the Horned Frogs.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
"WE Are The Aggies, The Aggies Are WE"
This is a reply to a post from The Battalion that i read the other day. Here is the original article. Hope you enjoy my reply. http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2009/10/19/Sports/Somebody.Needs.To.Take.The.Fall-3806088.shtml
It has come to my attention that some people are unhappy with the football program at Texas A&M University, under head coach Mike Sherman. I can guarantee you that almost 100 percent of these people were the same people calling for Coach Fran's head not even two years ago. They're the same people that wanted R.C. Slocum gone back in 2002, the same year he beat number 1 ranked Oklahoma. To be fair these are the same people that just a mere three and a half weeks ago were praising a 3-0 start and a quick turnaround for the Aggs. These people are called "Fair Weather Fans." They are only "true" fans when their team is winning, which to me is not a fan at all. But I'm not here to preach about how these people aren't true fans. I'm here to prove them wrong.
I've heard that there were other coaching options available at the time we hired Mike Sherman, and he wasn't the best option we had. In that case let me just start with a little profile of Mike Sherman. On top of being a successful assistant coach for many years, a few being under both R.C. Slocum and Jackie Sherrill during which he recruited the great Leeland McElroy (top 10 all time leading running back in Texas A&M history), Mike was an NFL head coach for the Green Bay Packers. In his six years in Wisconsin, he compiled a 57-39 record, which included 5 consecutive winning seasons, 4 of which resulted in playoff births. While coaching at Green Bay he coached players like Brett Favre, Ahman Green and Bubba Franks.
Enough of that, now we'll look at some of the other possible candidates for the job. Kevin Sumlin is now the head coach at the University of Houston. He is famous for beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys earlier this season. He runs a pass heavy offense and just puts 11 players on the field for defense. He holds a 6-3 Conference USA record. The reason Mike Sumlin would not have been the best guy for the job is fairly simple. Prior to his job at U of H Kevin Sumlin had never been a collegiate head football coach. Why would a rebuilding major college football program hire a first year head coach to turn around the team?. Yeah it doesn't make much sense to me either.
Another name that I have heard thrown around is Bobby Petrino. Despite a whopping 8-10 record at Arkansas (Sherman is only 7-11) Petrino also came with a ton of concerns. He was always rumored to be looking for another job (while at Rutgers he was rumored to be in talks with Auburn, LSU, the Oakland Raiders and then eventually the Atlanta Falcons, all after signing a 10 year deal with Louisville). In fact in his 27 years of coaching Petrino has held 16 different coaching positions. Is that somebody we want at Texas A&M. The next Billy Gillespie who leaves us for the next best thing?
The other name I've heard is Chris Petersen, the head coach at Boise State. Petersen has a 41-4 record at Boise State. Petersen is 1-0 in BCS games at Boise State. Boise State is currently the number 5 team in the nation. Enough Said! Why would Chris Petersen leave the Broncos, a year after beating the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl, to take over a rebuilding football team. Come on folks.
The second major argument I have heard is that Mike Sherman had enough talent around him to win games already. I was told to stop believing that the cupboard was bare when he got to Texas A&M. First of all let us remember that Mike Sherman took over a program that hadn't finished in the top 25 since 1999. Take a look at the top 5 teams in the country. Four out of the top 5 teams start 15 or more upperclassmen (Florida 17, Alabama 16, Texas 15, Cincinnati 18). The Aggies not only start just 12 upperclassmen but 6 of their 22 starters are freshmen. No top 5 team starts more than 2. It doesn't get more more bare than, starting 9 underclassmen (whom all of them Mike Sherman recruited.)
Since taking over as head coach, Sherman has produced a top 20 recruiting class in 2009 and currently has the number 11 recruiting class in the nation for the class of 2010. Yeah sounds like coach Sherman doesn't know what he is doing to me too...
The truth of the matter is, that some people don't know what they are talking about when it comes to sports, and they tend to overreact to a situation they really don't understand. Fair weather fans are some of the best there are when your team is winning. When they're losing on the other hand, they would rather whine and blame "the top" instead of supporting and seeing through the storm. If you want to walk the plank, that's your business, but don't bring the rest of the ship down with you. True Aggies show support through the best and worst of times. If you cannot do that, we do not need you.
One final note, to Coach Sherman and the rest of the Fightin' Texas Aggies, I believe in what you are doing and look forward to seeing success in the near future. Keep up the good work.
It has come to my attention that some people are unhappy with the football program at Texas A&M University, under head coach Mike Sherman. I can guarantee you that almost 100 percent of these people were the same people calling for Coach Fran's head not even two years ago. They're the same people that wanted R.C. Slocum gone back in 2002, the same year he beat number 1 ranked Oklahoma. To be fair these are the same people that just a mere three and a half weeks ago were praising a 3-0 start and a quick turnaround for the Aggs. These people are called "Fair Weather Fans." They are only "true" fans when their team is winning, which to me is not a fan at all. But I'm not here to preach about how these people aren't true fans. I'm here to prove them wrong.
I've heard that there were other coaching options available at the time we hired Mike Sherman, and he wasn't the best option we had. In that case let me just start with a little profile of Mike Sherman. On top of being a successful assistant coach for many years, a few being under both R.C. Slocum and Jackie Sherrill during which he recruited the great Leeland McElroy (top 10 all time leading running back in Texas A&M history), Mike was an NFL head coach for the Green Bay Packers. In his six years in Wisconsin, he compiled a 57-39 record, which included 5 consecutive winning seasons, 4 of which resulted in playoff births. While coaching at Green Bay he coached players like Brett Favre, Ahman Green and Bubba Franks.
Enough of that, now we'll look at some of the other possible candidates for the job. Kevin Sumlin is now the head coach at the University of Houston. He is famous for beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys earlier this season. He runs a pass heavy offense and just puts 11 players on the field for defense. He holds a 6-3 Conference USA record. The reason Mike Sumlin would not have been the best guy for the job is fairly simple. Prior to his job at U of H Kevin Sumlin had never been a collegiate head football coach. Why would a rebuilding major college football program hire a first year head coach to turn around the team?. Yeah it doesn't make much sense to me either.
Another name that I have heard thrown around is Bobby Petrino. Despite a whopping 8-10 record at Arkansas (Sherman is only 7-11) Petrino also came with a ton of concerns. He was always rumored to be looking for another job (while at Rutgers he was rumored to be in talks with Auburn, LSU, the Oakland Raiders and then eventually the Atlanta Falcons, all after signing a 10 year deal with Louisville). In fact in his 27 years of coaching Petrino has held 16 different coaching positions. Is that somebody we want at Texas A&M. The next Billy Gillespie who leaves us for the next best thing?
The other name I've heard is Chris Petersen, the head coach at Boise State. Petersen has a 41-4 record at Boise State. Petersen is 1-0 in BCS games at Boise State. Boise State is currently the number 5 team in the nation. Enough Said! Why would Chris Petersen leave the Broncos, a year after beating the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl, to take over a rebuilding football team. Come on folks.
The second major argument I have heard is that Mike Sherman had enough talent around him to win games already. I was told to stop believing that the cupboard was bare when he got to Texas A&M. First of all let us remember that Mike Sherman took over a program that hadn't finished in the top 25 since 1999. Take a look at the top 5 teams in the country. Four out of the top 5 teams start 15 or more upperclassmen (Florida 17, Alabama 16, Texas 15, Cincinnati 18). The Aggies not only start just 12 upperclassmen but 6 of their 22 starters are freshmen. No top 5 team starts more than 2. It doesn't get more more bare than, starting 9 underclassmen (whom all of them Mike Sherman recruited.)
Since taking over as head coach, Sherman has produced a top 20 recruiting class in 2009 and currently has the number 11 recruiting class in the nation for the class of 2010. Yeah sounds like coach Sherman doesn't know what he is doing to me too...
The truth of the matter is, that some people don't know what they are talking about when it comes to sports, and they tend to overreact to a situation they really don't understand. Fair weather fans are some of the best there are when your team is winning. When they're losing on the other hand, they would rather whine and blame "the top" instead of supporting and seeing through the storm. If you want to walk the plank, that's your business, but don't bring the rest of the ship down with you. True Aggies show support through the best and worst of times. If you cannot do that, we do not need you.
One final note, to Coach Sherman and the rest of the Fightin' Texas Aggies, I believe in what you are doing and look forward to seeing success in the near future. Keep up the good work.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Oh How The Mighty Will Fall
The New York Yankees will not win the World Series in 2009. They have the management. They have the coaching. They have the talent. What they don't have right now, is competition. A few weeks ago it was obvious that the Yankees could put on the afterburners and just coast into October. That seems to be just what they're doing. The Yankees are just walking into the postseason right now, and they will not win the World Series.
Sunday night I watched as Johnny Damon caught a fly ball in the outfield. He then proceeded to turn and throw the ball into the stands. This would have been completely acceptable if there had been three outs in the inning and it would not have allowed one of the Orioles runners to score from second base. Normally I would not think much of this. Damon has done this before, it's just a mental mistake that is part of his game. But there are a plethora of many things the Yankees are doing that are causing me to question their playoff spirit.
The next night Melky Cabrera cost the Yankees a run when he ran into Angels third baseman, Chone Figgins. Big bats got the Yankees through the game and eventually got them the win but the mental mistakes are beginning to add up, and this is not the time for that to happen.
The brawl from last night just about sums it up. If you're Jorge Posada you have to expect that you are going to get thrown at in that situation. Two of the Blue Jays players had just been hit, and the Blue Jays have nothing to lose. The Yankees on the other hand have everything to lose. An injury could have occurred in that brawl, your manager got punched in the face, and not to mention your starting catcher is going to be suspended. To me, having anything throw you off in the final two weeks of the regular season doesn't seem like a good thing.
The Red Sox (the team the Yankees will more than likely play in the first round) seem to have everything going for them, and the timing could not be better. With the strong outing from Daisuke Matzuzaka last night, and the incredible hot streak they have been on, matched up with the extreme pressure the Rangers are placing on them in the Wild Card Race, i have no doubt that the Red Sox will be geared up and ready to go for the Yankees in the American League Division Series.
The New York Yankees will not win the World Series.
Sunday night I watched as Johnny Damon caught a fly ball in the outfield. He then proceeded to turn and throw the ball into the stands. This would have been completely acceptable if there had been three outs in the inning and it would not have allowed one of the Orioles runners to score from second base. Normally I would not think much of this. Damon has done this before, it's just a mental mistake that is part of his game. But there are a plethora of many things the Yankees are doing that are causing me to question their playoff spirit.
The next night Melky Cabrera cost the Yankees a run when he ran into Angels third baseman, Chone Figgins. Big bats got the Yankees through the game and eventually got them the win but the mental mistakes are beginning to add up, and this is not the time for that to happen.
The brawl from last night just about sums it up. If you're Jorge Posada you have to expect that you are going to get thrown at in that situation. Two of the Blue Jays players had just been hit, and the Blue Jays have nothing to lose. The Yankees on the other hand have everything to lose. An injury could have occurred in that brawl, your manager got punched in the face, and not to mention your starting catcher is going to be suspended. To me, having anything throw you off in the final two weeks of the regular season doesn't seem like a good thing.
The Red Sox (the team the Yankees will more than likely play in the first round) seem to have everything going for them, and the timing could not be better. With the strong outing from Daisuke Matzuzaka last night, and the incredible hot streak they have been on, matched up with the extreme pressure the Rangers are placing on them in the Wild Card Race, i have no doubt that the Red Sox will be geared up and ready to go for the Yankees in the American League Division Series.
The New York Yankees will not win the World Series.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Make or Break
Its every college football teams dream to complete and undefeated season and win a BCS National Championship. For some of those teams that undefeated dream has come to an end already but as we have seen in the past you can make the national championship. So in light of the Oklahoma debacle this past weekend i have come up with each Top 25 team's possible make or break game this season.
1. Florida Gators vs (18) Florida State Seminoles November 28
I was disappointed to discover that the Gators wont get their shot at revenge against the Ole Miss Rebels (not that i thought they would pull that off anyway) this season. I see Florida rolling through weakened LSU and Miami teams until the last week of the season when they match up in the in-state rivalry with Florida State.
2. Texas Longhorns at Baylor Bears November 14
Yeah Baylor has never finished higher than 10th in the Big 12. Yeah when you think of Baylor you don't even think of sports much less football. But it seems like year after year for some reason the Longhorns seem to struggle against the Bears, especially now that the Bears actually have some talent and the game is in Waco. I see the Horns beating a weakened OU squad and a very tough Oklahoma State team, so if they can get past Baylor they may walk into the National Championship.
3. Oklahoma Sooners vs Tulsa Golden Hurricanes September 19
Since the Sooners have already taken a big loss to BYU they can ill afford another one. If they are fortunate enough to get healthy and beat the Horns and the Cowboys of OSU, the other game that could be trouble is Tulsa. The in-state rivalry has gotten pretty exciting over the past few years with the Hurricanes throwing the football all over the place.
4. USC Trojans vs Oregon State Beavers October 24
Lets face it, the Trojans are going to get everyones' best effort week in, and week out, but they manage to pull off most of those games. The last few years have been a little different when they have played the Beavers. JaQuizz Rodgers has the Trojans number and looks to give them a call this coming season.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Tigers November 27
First of all this game is in Auburn. Second of all Auburn has dominated this rivalry over the past few years. Auburn doesn't have quite the team they've had in the past but Alabama has a Quarterback who has never started a game in the rivalry.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Wolverines November 27
The Ohio State Buckeyes have dominated this rivalry in the last 5 years including last years defeat which was the largest deficit since the 60's. That string has to end sometime though and the Wolverines have vastly improved with the addition of Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson. They will still be tough to beat behind Terrelle Pryor but look for this game to be a lot closer.
7. Virginia Tech Hokies vs (21) North Carolina Tar Heels October 29
The Hokies like the Sooners have already suffered a loss this year. They have a pretty tough road to the National Championship now but it eventually will lead through UNC. A vastly improved team under Butch Davis, the Tar Heels have posted Top 15 recruiting classes each of the last two years.
8. Ole Miss Rebels vs Tennessee Volunteers November 14
Without playing Florida I really could not find a game where I thought Mississippi had a chance to lose this season. They play LSU but I just couldn't see the Tigers pulling that one off. So i went with a flat out hunch and picked Lane Kiffin to lead a tough UT team to victory.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions vs (6) Ohio State Buckeyes November 7
Barring a Penn State slip up and a Buckeye loss to USC next week, these two team should be undefeated coming into this ballgame. Penn State is a very solid football team but Terrelle Pryor is out for revenge after taking a tough loss last year in a defensive heavy football game.
10. Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Missouri Tigers October 17
This to me is just like Ole Miss but a lot more ifs. If OSU can get past (2) Texas and (3) Oklahoma then the game that could keep them from an Undefeated season would be the Missouri game. Once again just on a hunch.
11. LSU Tigers vs Vanderbilt Commodores September 12
12. California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins October 17
13. Georgia Bulldogs at (15) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets November 28
14. Boise State Broncos vs Nevada Wolfpack November 27
15. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs Wake Forrest Demon Deacons November 7
16. Oregon Ducks vs (19) Utah Utes September 19
17. TCU Horned Frogs vs (20) BYU Cougars October 24
18. Florida State Seminoles vs Miami Hurricanes September 7
19. Utah Utes at (20) BYU Cougars November 28
20. BYU Cougars vs (19) Utah Utes November 28
21. North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Miami Hurricanes November 14
22. Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa State Cyclones September 12
23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Michigan State Spartans September 19
24. Nebraska Cornhuskers at Missouri Tigers Oct 8
25. Kansas Jayhawks at Colorado Buffaloes October 17
1. Florida Gators vs (18) Florida State Seminoles November 28
I was disappointed to discover that the Gators wont get their shot at revenge against the Ole Miss Rebels (not that i thought they would pull that off anyway) this season. I see Florida rolling through weakened LSU and Miami teams until the last week of the season when they match up in the in-state rivalry with Florida State.
2. Texas Longhorns at Baylor Bears November 14
Yeah Baylor has never finished higher than 10th in the Big 12. Yeah when you think of Baylor you don't even think of sports much less football. But it seems like year after year for some reason the Longhorns seem to struggle against the Bears, especially now that the Bears actually have some talent and the game is in Waco. I see the Horns beating a weakened OU squad and a very tough Oklahoma State team, so if they can get past Baylor they may walk into the National Championship.
3. Oklahoma Sooners vs Tulsa Golden Hurricanes September 19
Since the Sooners have already taken a big loss to BYU they can ill afford another one. If they are fortunate enough to get healthy and beat the Horns and the Cowboys of OSU, the other game that could be trouble is Tulsa. The in-state rivalry has gotten pretty exciting over the past few years with the Hurricanes throwing the football all over the place.
4. USC Trojans vs Oregon State Beavers October 24
Lets face it, the Trojans are going to get everyones' best effort week in, and week out, but they manage to pull off most of those games. The last few years have been a little different when they have played the Beavers. JaQuizz Rodgers has the Trojans number and looks to give them a call this coming season.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Tigers November 27
First of all this game is in Auburn. Second of all Auburn has dominated this rivalry over the past few years. Auburn doesn't have quite the team they've had in the past but Alabama has a Quarterback who has never started a game in the rivalry.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Wolverines November 27
The Ohio State Buckeyes have dominated this rivalry in the last 5 years including last years defeat which was the largest deficit since the 60's. That string has to end sometime though and the Wolverines have vastly improved with the addition of Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson. They will still be tough to beat behind Terrelle Pryor but look for this game to be a lot closer.
7. Virginia Tech Hokies vs (21) North Carolina Tar Heels October 29
The Hokies like the Sooners have already suffered a loss this year. They have a pretty tough road to the National Championship now but it eventually will lead through UNC. A vastly improved team under Butch Davis, the Tar Heels have posted Top 15 recruiting classes each of the last two years.
8. Ole Miss Rebels vs Tennessee Volunteers November 14
Without playing Florida I really could not find a game where I thought Mississippi had a chance to lose this season. They play LSU but I just couldn't see the Tigers pulling that one off. So i went with a flat out hunch and picked Lane Kiffin to lead a tough UT team to victory.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions vs (6) Ohio State Buckeyes November 7
Barring a Penn State slip up and a Buckeye loss to USC next week, these two team should be undefeated coming into this ballgame. Penn State is a very solid football team but Terrelle Pryor is out for revenge after taking a tough loss last year in a defensive heavy football game.
10. Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Missouri Tigers October 17
This to me is just like Ole Miss but a lot more ifs. If OSU can get past (2) Texas and (3) Oklahoma then the game that could keep them from an Undefeated season would be the Missouri game. Once again just on a hunch.
11. LSU Tigers vs Vanderbilt Commodores September 12
12. California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins October 17
13. Georgia Bulldogs at (15) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets November 28
14. Boise State Broncos vs Nevada Wolfpack November 27
15. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs Wake Forrest Demon Deacons November 7
16. Oregon Ducks vs (19) Utah Utes September 19
17. TCU Horned Frogs vs (20) BYU Cougars October 24
18. Florida State Seminoles vs Miami Hurricanes September 7
19. Utah Utes at (20) BYU Cougars November 28
20. BYU Cougars vs (19) Utah Utes November 28
21. North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Miami Hurricanes November 14
22. Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa State Cyclones September 12
23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Michigan State Spartans September 19
24. Nebraska Cornhuskers at Missouri Tigers Oct 8
25. Kansas Jayhawks at Colorado Buffaloes October 17
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Random Thoughts
A friend asked me to write about a few things so here goes. The first two are for him and the rest is just my random thinking.
Super Bowl XXXIV was one of the better big games of my generation. The game came down to the final yard, on the final play, and the Tennessee Titans fell just short. The victor in that game, took an even greater fall. The St Louis Rams have fallen straight to the bottom of the league. Recently on Scott Van Pelt's radio show he named the Rams as one of the teams in the NFL that are currently occupying the land of "Stank-oni" (formerly knows as "Pootown.") He did happen to mention that the Rams were "living on the outskirts of Stank-onia." New head coach Steve Spagnuolo brings his NY Giants super bowl ring, and his defensive mindset to a 2-14 team who gave up almost 30 points per game last season. Second round draft pick James Laurinaitis should see some playing time to help out that struggling D. On the other side of the ball last year things were not much better. As a team the Rams scored a whopping 14 points per game. With a line like they had, it was nearly impossible to unleash their two biggest weapons in Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. In fact Bulger found himself flat on his back with the football 37 times last season. First round draft pick Jason Smith should have an immediate impact at the Tackle position. Don't expect too much out of the Rams this season but somewhere down the road they might find their way back to the playoffs.
15,793 career yards passing. 134 career passing touchdowns. His favorite target was a top 10 draft pick, yet he went un-drafted. He was signed by the Browns but was later released. So what happened to Graham Harrell? Why is there no NFL team that is willing to take a chance on this quarterback. The truth is that passing heave system quarterbacks just don't work out in the NFL. Defenses in the NFL are just too quick for the air it out styles that quarterbacks from Texas tech possess. Kliff Kingsbury was a great college quarterback at TTU and 6 years later he's an assistant coach at the University of Houston. Teams obviously want a Tom Brady, NFL system, type quarterback, who is mobile and poised and has a cannon for an arm and precision out the behind. Tom Brady's not the type of guy to just throw one up and let Randy Moss go get it.
For those of you that think the punishments, laid down by Roger Goodell, are too harsh, you are sadly mistaken. I've heard the argument that he has too much power, and he is taking away the careers of these young men. So Mike Vick missed a few seasons and Plaxico Burress and Donte Stallworth are about to do the same. Big Deal. What happens if somebody like you or I was charged with a felony? First of all we would actually do real time in prison, but that's not the point I'm trying to make. As far as job goes, we would no longer have one, and not only that, we would not get a decent paying job when we got out of prison. Football players have a special talent but that does not excuse them from being civilized. Doctors have special talents, some of them even save people's lives, but I guarantee if a doctor gets charged with intoxicated manslaughter he is going to prison for a while and probably wont have a medical license if he gets out.
With that being said, I'm sick of hearing about how much of an outrage it is, that Michael Vick is back in the NFL. Though from the previous paragraph it is obvious I think punishments should be more strict, the fact still remains that Vick served his prison time and he is going to serve his suspension. He served the necessary time that a judge, and Roger Goodell, saw fit for him to serve and he deserves the right to come back onto the field. I guess what I'm trying to say is I really don't care what the people at PETA have to say.
Finally, I'm really excited about the start of football season. But for once I'm not talking about College Football, the NFL, or even the CFL for that matter. I'm pretty excited about the LFL. The Lingerie Football League kicks off on September 4th with a matchup between the Miami Caliente and the Chicago Bliss. There's only one thing I could think of that would be better than men lining up and knocking the crap out of each other and that would be seeing women do it...in their underwear. I might even go as far as to attend the Denver Dream vs. Dallas Desire game on September 25th. I'm ready for some football.
Super Bowl XXXIV was one of the better big games of my generation. The game came down to the final yard, on the final play, and the Tennessee Titans fell just short. The victor in that game, took an even greater fall. The St Louis Rams have fallen straight to the bottom of the league. Recently on Scott Van Pelt's radio show he named the Rams as one of the teams in the NFL that are currently occupying the land of "Stank-oni" (formerly knows as "Pootown.") He did happen to mention that the Rams were "living on the outskirts of Stank-onia." New head coach Steve Spagnuolo brings his NY Giants super bowl ring, and his defensive mindset to a 2-14 team who gave up almost 30 points per game last season. Second round draft pick James Laurinaitis should see some playing time to help out that struggling D. On the other side of the ball last year things were not much better. As a team the Rams scored a whopping 14 points per game. With a line like they had, it was nearly impossible to unleash their two biggest weapons in Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. In fact Bulger found himself flat on his back with the football 37 times last season. First round draft pick Jason Smith should have an immediate impact at the Tackle position. Don't expect too much out of the Rams this season but somewhere down the road they might find their way back to the playoffs.
15,793 career yards passing. 134 career passing touchdowns. His favorite target was a top 10 draft pick, yet he went un-drafted. He was signed by the Browns but was later released. So what happened to Graham Harrell? Why is there no NFL team that is willing to take a chance on this quarterback. The truth is that passing heave system quarterbacks just don't work out in the NFL. Defenses in the NFL are just too quick for the air it out styles that quarterbacks from Texas tech possess. Kliff Kingsbury was a great college quarterback at TTU and 6 years later he's an assistant coach at the University of Houston. Teams obviously want a Tom Brady, NFL system, type quarterback, who is mobile and poised and has a cannon for an arm and precision out the behind. Tom Brady's not the type of guy to just throw one up and let Randy Moss go get it.
For those of you that think the punishments, laid down by Roger Goodell, are too harsh, you are sadly mistaken. I've heard the argument that he has too much power, and he is taking away the careers of these young men. So Mike Vick missed a few seasons and Plaxico Burress and Donte Stallworth are about to do the same. Big Deal. What happens if somebody like you or I was charged with a felony? First of all we would actually do real time in prison, but that's not the point I'm trying to make. As far as job goes, we would no longer have one, and not only that, we would not get a decent paying job when we got out of prison. Football players have a special talent but that does not excuse them from being civilized. Doctors have special talents, some of them even save people's lives, but I guarantee if a doctor gets charged with intoxicated manslaughter he is going to prison for a while and probably wont have a medical license if he gets out.
With that being said, I'm sick of hearing about how much of an outrage it is, that Michael Vick is back in the NFL. Though from the previous paragraph it is obvious I think punishments should be more strict, the fact still remains that Vick served his prison time and he is going to serve his suspension. He served the necessary time that a judge, and Roger Goodell, saw fit for him to serve and he deserves the right to come back onto the field. I guess what I'm trying to say is I really don't care what the people at PETA have to say.
Finally, I'm really excited about the start of football season. But for once I'm not talking about College Football, the NFL, or even the CFL for that matter. I'm pretty excited about the LFL. The Lingerie Football League kicks off on September 4th with a matchup between the Miami Caliente and the Chicago Bliss. There's only one thing I could think of that would be better than men lining up and knocking the crap out of each other and that would be seeing women do it...in their underwear. I might even go as far as to attend the Denver Dream vs. Dallas Desire game on September 25th. I'm ready for some football.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Top 10 Sports Commercials
The next topic in my series of Top 10's, is my Top 10 favorite sports commercials of all time. Most of them are pretty recent considering I've only been alive 20 years and I didn't really pay attention to commercials for a majority of that time. So here we go my 10 of my favorite sports commercials.
10. Be Like Mike (1992) "Just one day if I could be that way."
Who doesn't want to be like Mike?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AGiq9j_Ak
9. Jimmy Rollins, Air Swing Man Remix (2009) "You think baseball's about feelin' good"
Just a classic, hilarious commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kFH4gV8rGY
8. Yao Ming Visa Commercial "Can I write check?"
Yao Ming and Yogi Berra at their finest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7rm-yadkGY
7. Lebron Chalk Commercial
Just a sweet commercial. I mean Lebron and Wayne in the same commercial says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SiQKxja79M
6. My Better "My quick smells like french toast"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ7Q2oE1Wc0&feature=PlayList&p=DC08F6E0027D9661&index=17
5. Sports Center Ozzie Guillen
I decided to sum up all of the sports center commercials into one commercial and this is my favorite out of all of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6tiHb5uxtw
4. Lebron and Kobe Puppets
Just like in the sports center ads i decided to pick my favorite of these commercials.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z28NtbIPSw&feature=related
3. Nike Fate
This commercial gives me chills when i watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlXRengzZoc
2. Without Sports
This commercial gives a funny twist to my favorite rivalry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liNBAvdfakg
1. Chicks Dig The Long Ball
Without a doubt this is my favorite commercial of all time. A little background for those of you who don't know, the cardinal is obviously Mark McGwire, and the two braves are Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux (two pitchers). Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltD21rYWVw
So those are my Top 10 favorite sports commercials, feel free to leave me some feedback on what you think of mine, and even leave me a few of your favorites as well.
10. Be Like Mike (1992) "Just one day if I could be that way."
Who doesn't want to be like Mike?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AGiq9j_Ak
9. Jimmy Rollins, Air Swing Man Remix (2009) "You think baseball's about feelin' good"
Just a classic, hilarious commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kFH4gV8rGY
8. Yao Ming Visa Commercial "Can I write check?"
Yao Ming and Yogi Berra at their finest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7rm-yadkGY
7. Lebron Chalk Commercial
Just a sweet commercial. I mean Lebron and Wayne in the same commercial says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SiQKxja79M
6. My Better "My quick smells like french toast"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ7Q2oE1Wc0&feature=PlayList&p=DC08F6E0027D9661&index=17
5. Sports Center Ozzie Guillen
I decided to sum up all of the sports center commercials into one commercial and this is my favorite out of all of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6tiHb5uxtw
4. Lebron and Kobe Puppets
Just like in the sports center ads i decided to pick my favorite of these commercials.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z28NtbIPSw&feature=related
3. Nike Fate
This commercial gives me chills when i watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlXRengzZoc
2. Without Sports
This commercial gives a funny twist to my favorite rivalry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liNBAvdfakg
1. Chicks Dig The Long Ball
Without a doubt this is my favorite commercial of all time. A little background for those of you who don't know, the cardinal is obviously Mark McGwire, and the two braves are Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux (two pitchers). Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltD21rYWVw
So those are my Top 10 favorite sports commercials, feel free to leave me some feedback on what you think of mine, and even leave me a few of your favorites as well.
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