Gareth Keenan Investigates!

Look down the right hand column of this page for "10 Latest Visitors." If it's not too late, you will see someone purportedly from Slough, United Kingdom - home of The Office UK's Wernham-Hogg paper merchants (Slough branch). A screen shot is also included below.

Could it be Garreth Keenan as he takes a break from his job as Assistant Regional Manager? Sorry, that should be Assistant TO THE Regional Manager. Sorry again, I forgot he was promoted to Regional Manager when David Brent was made redundant. No doubt, Gareth stumbled upon this site while he was researching survival methods for the African bush. Or perhaps it's just Keith.

Below: Screen Pic of 10 Latest Visitors at 7 pm, August 31, 2007.

SportsWeek on hold

KATV Channel 7 has put SportsWeek on hold because of scheduling
conflicts. The Houston Nutt show will air at 10:30 PM Sunday nights.
NASCAR is on ABC & ESPN this year so KATV has to air that on
Sunday afternoons. KATV is currently trying to find a timeslot for
SportsWeek. Once the schedule is finalized I will let you know.
Houston Nutt is happy because SportsWeek is currently not on and
that Bruce James is not doing the show. It proves everyone in NWA is
a bunch of big crybabies.

My Picks: Week 1

As the defender of the Ramon Escobar Trophy, I feel a certain obligation to post my week 1 picks.
When I sent my picksin, Dishongh said I should post my "brilliant" haiku. I figured it would be just as easy to post the entire e-mail.
Enjoy...

So it begins
Disappointed no summary of my amazing triumph last season when I shattered all previous records for points, most wins and largest margin of victory.

Ramon will be mine
Oh, I say that I will win
but I reek of fail

Georgia Tech
Boston College
Georgia
California
Clemson

Student punished for prank on rivals

HILLIARD, Ohio -- A high school student who tricked football fans from a crosstown rival into holding up signs that together spelled out, "We Suck," was suspended for the prank, students said.

Kyle Garchar, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School in suburban Columbus, said he spent about 20 hours over three days plotting the trick, which was captured on video and posted on the video-sharing Web site YouTube. He said he was inspired by a similar prank pulled by Yale students in 2004, when Harvard fans were duped into holding up cards with the same message.

At the end of the video, Garchar wryly thanks the 800 Hilliard Darby High School supporters who raised the cards at the start of the third quarter during last Friday's football game.

"It couldn't have been done without you," reads the closing frame of the video.

Garchar, 17, created a grid to plan how the message would be spelled out once fans in three sections held up either a black or white piece of construction paper.

Directions left on stadium seats instructed fans to check that the number listed on their papers matched their seat numbers. Darby supporters were told the message would read "Go Darby."

"It was tedious," Garchar said. "I didn't really think it was going to work."

But it did, and everyone at Davidson has been talking it ever since, said Jordan Moore, a junior. "That was the ultimate in-your-face," he said. "I think it was ingenious."

Davidson principal John Bandow had told students that he expected them to show sportsmanship at the game, which Darby won 21-10.

Bandow gave Garchar three days of in-school suspension and banned him from extracurricular activities for a semester, the students said. Two Darby students who helped Garchar received the same punishment after the principals from both schools spoke by phone.

Hilliard schools spokeswoman Michelle Wray said she couldn't confirm the punishment because the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act forbids the release of student disciplinary information.

"We weren't expecting it to be such a severe punishment," said Jen Trimmer, 17, one of the students involved. "We just thought it was all in good fun."

The first haiku off of the year

This battle was conducted through e-mail, with Doug's added in at the end...

Trey Davis:
War Eagle to you!
Excitement in air
We have not lost yet

Lee Davis:
Auburn graduate?
Don't you know that haikus are
5-7-5, dork?

Trey Davis:
Lee, just to inform
Learn the true definition
Ryan says "Jack Ass!"

Lee Davis:
Didn't Auburn beat
Nebraska? Thought so. Shut up,
Big Red Cornhusker!

Doug Virden:
Gentle Ben traitor
Auburn fans POMPUS A$$ES
NOTRE DAME RULES

UGA Missing! Last known photo

(Props to Jeff Kendall)

Slate's 'Lunatic's Guide to College Football'

I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing that Arkansas is mentioned in this article from Slate. On the one hand, it's good to be listed among the top high-profile programs in the country (where is Auburn?). On the other hand, they are right on about our crazy fans on the Internet.

Heisman Pundit handicaps race between McFadden and Booty

This is a great blog for tracking the Heisman race.

This week's games

Georgia Tech-Notre Dame
2:30 p.m., Sat., NBC
Line: Notre Dame by 2

Wake Forest-Boston College
2:30 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Boston College by 6

Oklahoma State-Georgia
5:45 p.m., Sat., ESPN2
Line: Georgia by 6

Tennessee-California
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: California by 6

Bowden Bowl IX
Florida State-Clemson
7 p.m., Mon., ESPN
Line: Florida State by 3

Mitch Mustain on video from USC

Click the above subject line to view.

An update on the prize money

I underestimated the number of people who would enter the pool this year. It's up to 148 entrants (I'm going to have to cut it off at 150), so that means there is a lot more money in the pot than originally expected. As a result, I am amending the split of the prize money to 80 percent for first place and 20 percent to second place. With 148 people entered, that makes it $1,184 for winning the pool, and $296 for coming in second. I thought it would be better to distribute the wealth a little bit more and have a larger sum of money awarded to second place. Third place still gets $10.

Televised SEC Games For The First Week Of College Football Season

---

*All times central

THURSDAY

LSU at Miss. State - Aug. 30 - 7 p.m. • Starkville - ESPN (Chris Fowler, play-by-play; Doug Flutie, color analyst; Craig James, color analyst; Erin Andrews, sidelines)

SATURDAY
Western Kentucky at Florida - 11:30 p.m. • Gainesville - Lincoln Financial Sports (Dave Neal, play-by-play; Dave Archer, analyst, Dave Baker, sideline reporter)

Ole Miss at Memphis - 2:30 p.m. • Memphis - CSS (Bob Neal , play-by-play; Walker Jones, color analyst; Allison Williams, sideline reporter)

Oklahoma State at Georgia - 5:45 p.m. • Athens - ESPN2 (Mark Jones, play-by-play; Bob Davie, color analyst; Stacy Dales, sideline reporter)

Kansas State at Auburn - 6:45 p.m. • Auburn - ESPN (Ron Franklin, play-by-play; Ed Cunningham, color analyst; Holly Rowe sideline reporter)

Tennessee at California - 7:00 p.m. • Berkely - ABC (Brent Musburger, play-by-play; Kirk Herbstreit, color analyst; Lisa Salters, sideline reporter)

Since Robert does it, I guess I will too

My obligatory preseason predictions ... http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2007/08/27/commentary/scott_faldon/faldon01.txt

Turn down the volume on your computer speakers before hitting the link, otherwise you'll be blasted out of your chair by an advertisement's audio.

The FWAA's Super 16 poll is out

USC is No. 1. Arkansas comes in as "Also receiving votes" at 20 behind Rutgers, FSU and Penn State.


http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2007/poll070827.html

Letters to the football pool

This letter was enclosed with Chris Baldwin's $10 entry fee that came in the mail. I thought some of you might enjoy reading it.

Dear Matt:

Enclosed please find my ten dollar entry fee to this year's college football pool. I look forward to attempting to once again win the pot of money and the prestigious Ramon Escobar Trophy. I would like to get another trophy with the name plate on the other side so that I would have an impressive set of book ends.

Not a day goes by that I do not catch my eyes lingering on the fruits of my previous triumph -- the prestigious Ramon Escobar Trophy. Last year's weak and failed attempt for a repeat weighs heavy on my soul. I have decided to dedicate myself wholly to the quest for another victory in this illustrious competition. Then maybe I may regain the sense of purpose I once felt in what was becoming an empty meaningless college football fan.

May God deliver the college football season to us in all haste. May the life-giving waters of college football wash away the dust of months of mid-afternoon baseball games.

I leave you with my prediction of the Razorbacks going 8-4 with two of those losses being attributed to the poorly coached special teams play and the other two losses attributed to the fact that we lacked a passing game preventing our being able to execute a proper two-minute drill.

Sincerely,
Chris Baldwin

Church Deacon, OU Fan Tears Scrotum Of UT Fan In Bar Fight

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Aggravated assault charges have been filed against a church deacon and University of Oklahoma Sooners fan after officials say he grabbed a University of Texas fan between the legs during a scuffle in an Oklahoma bar.

A couple of months before the annual Red River Shootout between the Sooners and Longhorns, words were exchanged at Henry Hudson's Pub between Allen Beckett, 53, and Brian Thomas. Witnesses said it was because Thomas was wearing a UT T-shirt.

Neither Thomas or Beckett chose to comment, but the police report described what happened to the victim, including graphic details about his injuries that included a torn scrotal sack with partially exposed testicles.

Beckett's attorney, Billy Bock, said his client's actions were in self-defense.

"Sure, he's an OU fan. Not necessarily an overboard die-hard OU fan, but he certainly admits he said something in a joking fashion to the guy about his Texas T-shirt. The guy got offended. He said he was sorry," said Bock.

Bock said the apology apparently wasn't enough for the Texas fan and the man then approached his client. He said his client then grabbed the man in self-defense.

"The guy came over his other shoulder, and basically said, 'I'm getting ready to kick your you-know-what.' He said he felt threatened and he did what he thought he needed to do and grabbed him and left the bar," said Bock.

Bock adds that his client isn't a hardened criminal, but is a church deacon who makes his living as a government auditor who had gone to the bar that night for one reason -- to play darts.

Why So Much Drug Use at UA?

Nutt suspends Harrison from UA football squad

Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007

Arkansas head football coach Houston Nutt suspended senior defensive end Marcus Harrison from the team Saturday for an indefinite amount of time after the player was arrested Friday night.

The 6-3, 307-pound starter will miss Arkansas’ Sept. 1 season opener against Troy and possibly more of the season.
Fayetteville police arrested Harrison at 11:05 p.m. Friday for alleged felony possession of one pill of ecstasy and misdemeanor possession of one partially smoked marijuana joint and one rolled marijuana joint as well as speeding, driving on a suspended license and driving without a seat belt, according to a police report.
“Marcus Harrison has been suspended indefinitely from our football team for a violation of team rules,” Nutt said. “He will not play in the season opener against Troy and could face further disciplinary measures within the program after the facts are reviewed.
“I am deeply disappointed that any student-athlete would put himself and his team in the position of losing a senior starter due to off-the-field conduct. We will await the legal process and review his status in the coming weeks.”
Police stopped Harrison for driving 38 mph in a 25 mph zone at the junction of W. Stone Street and Biloxi Crossing, according to the report. When Harrison rolled down the window, police smelled an odor they suspected to be marijuana, the report said.
Harrison, a two-year starter and a three-year letterman for the Razorbacks, worked hard during the summer to rehabilitate his knee after undergoing surgery to repair his anterior crucial ligament, which he tore in April during spring practice. He was expected to miss at least the season opener if not more games going into the summer, but he had recovered enough that the UA coaching, training and medical staff had planned to leave the decision up to Harrison whether he would try to play against Troy.

TSIB SEC Coaches Interviews

(TSIB - Third Saturday In Blogtober)

August 23rd, 2007

We here at TSIB feel very proud and privileged this year to have a chance to sit down with every Southeastern Conference coach this close to the season. Our panel of experts is here and has concocted several questions to ask you gentlemen tonight. We thank you so much for taking a few minutes out of your hectic schedules to help a new blog along in our first few weeks.

Steve Spurrier interrupts: “Well, ya got me off the course, there. Better be good.”

A-hem. Thank you, Steve. For those of you who don’t know the drill, we will ask a question and every one of you will answer. We will go in alphabetical order by school name unless otherwise compelled to ask a follow-up. After Mr. Saban answers the first question, he will go to the end of the line afterward. By conducting this forum, we at TSIB hope to learn a little more about your teams.

*******

QUESTION 1

TSIB: What can your fans expect from your teams this season?

Nick Saban: “The first thing to expect from our young men is to begin the journey in the context of the moment. The key is to not get wrapped up in the end result. The process of getting there is how you eventually get there. Whether it be the weightroom, the practice field, the classroom, or wherever, the object is for our young men to grow not only as football players but as human beings. We at Alabama not only expect this, but we demand this. Nick Saban will personally kill ever—

TSIB: OK, Mr. Saban, we’d love to listen to you all day. But we don’t have a lot of time. Let’s continue.

Houston Nutt: “Sure, we’re excited about Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, but, honestly, son, we just hope that we don’t kill each other before the season is over. Lemme take this opportunity to tell our wonderful fans in Arkansas that firearms are not permitted in Razorback Stadium.”

Tommy Tuberville: “Well, Brandon Cox is a senior. He’s a leader. And, he obviously has female organs. But anytime you have that much experience from the quarterback position, you should have a good season.”

Mark Richt: “Despite allowing 51 points to Tennessee at home last year, having a quarterback with a near two-to-one interception-to-touchdown ratio and losing to Florida again, a lot of pundits are still picking us to win the league. I’m so thankful to the Lord for idiot media members.”

Urban Meyer: “You should expect a lot of Tim Tebow, a lot of Percy Harvin and a lot of blue jean shorts. We’re confident, and we’re dominant. Who cares that we have nine new defensive starters. I work miracles.”

Rich Brooks: “Expect me to die on the sideline if LSU completes another game-ending Hail Mary in Lexington.”

Les Miles: “I’ll tell you one (expletive) thing. We’re going to kick a whole lot of (expletive) this (expletive) year. With the (expletive) defense we have this year, even I can’t (expletive) up this season.”

Ed Orgeron: “(inaudible) Dadgum Schaeffa, and, um, gotta Chris Stronga eljble ona defense, so a (inaudible) yaw, um, fo wins maybe. Lucky, five. WILD BOYZ!”

Sylvester Croom: “Expect me to play LSU and a couple others tough but lose my job. But we’ll be leaving Starkville better’n we found it. I ain’t castrated no bulls.”

Steve Spurrier: “Well, won’t be doin’ a lot of pitchin’ and catchin’, but we should be doin’ a lot of hittin’. I’m tellin’ ya, if I can keep Mrs. Jerri out of recruitin’ and my quarterbacks out of bars, we could have a fightin’ chance.”

Phillip Fulmer: “Obviously, we’re pleased with our football team. The kids have worked like heck to get better this offseason, and we’re working like heck to do better than 9-4 this season. We’ve stayed relatively within the law since last year, and once we get our kids out of the rehab clinics, I’ll like our chances.”

Bobby Johnson: “We’ll be the cleanest-mouth, best-educated losers in the country, but I think we’ll be competitive again this year.”

QUESTION 2

TSIB: What individual do you see having an impact for you this year?

Saban: “First off, young man, if you ever interrupt Nick Saban again, Nick Saban will personally break into the Bear Bryant museum, steal a houndstooth hat and implant it in your (expletive), is that clear?”

“Now, Nick Saban has a tongue-lashing to give Major for screwing around and getting a verbal from a three-star last week, so let’s make the rest of this interview quick. We don’t accept three-stars at Nick Saban’s institution.”

TSIB: “Um, Mr. Nutt, you answer first this time.”

Nutt: “Let me finish this text … (reading to himself:UR B34UT1FUL SM1L3, XOXOXO and SEND). OK, yes. Impact player. I’d say, McFadden, of course.”

Tuberville: “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! WHAT IS THAT NOISE? Is that another dog whistle? Lord, those folks in Opelika have no regard for people with big ears with their dog whistles.”

TSIB: “Mr. Tuberville, are you OK?”

Tuberville: “No, son, I’m not OK. Ever since Saban came to Tuscaloosa, I can hear myself sweating.

But to answer your question, I’d say Quentin Groves will be difficult to stop. And our supplements crew – er – strength and conditioning personnel have Tray Blackmon looking like a monster.”

Richt: “If we can keep Matthew Stafford away from Talladega, he could have a huge year.”

Meyer: “I’ll try to put my man crush on Timmy aside here and say myself. I think, even though I don’t play, I’m a beautiful man, and if anybody can get the most out of these kids, it would be me.”

Brooks: “Andre Woodson single-handedly keeps my fragile heart beating.”

Miles: “Three words: Glen (expletive) Dorsey.”

TSIB: “Mr. Miles, please. It doesn’t make you a bigger man to use profanities. And, please, pull your hat down for once.”

Orgeron: “Well, um, fo sho at (inaudible) Jel Powe if eljble, yaw, yaw an’ um, Green-Elliz on a ground, yaw. Fo sho.”

Croom: “Our entire defense has done nothin’ but work their butts off during the offseason. We’ve kept them out of the one fast food joint and gas station in Starkville and on the football field.”

Spurrier: “Wouldya want to meet ol’ Jasper and Casper in a dark alley? Didn’t think so.”

Fulmer: “Obviously, we’re trying to get my belly eligible, but the Clearinghouse won’t budge. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll go with Jerod Mayo having a huge season.”

Johnson: “Earl Bennett. How does a kid like that get out of the state of Alabama and end up with me AT VANDERBILT??! Heck, I’ve been trying to get out since I came.”

Saban: (Staring down Tuberville) “You just pissed your pants, didn’t you, Tommy?”

Tuberville: (Shudders)

Saban: (Chuckling) “I’ll agree with Urb. Nobody will make an impact on Alabama like Nick Saban.”

QUESTION 3

TSIB: (Sigh) This is taking longer than I thought. OK, third question. Even the national media is tagging the conference as being the strongest, like it isn’t every season. Why do you believe we’re finally getting some love?”

Tuberville: “Lemme change my pants. I know I’m holding up the interview … there.

I’d say it’s about friggin’ time we got some respect. It sure would’ve been nice when Auburn was relevant two years ago.”

Richt: “Well, I believe it’s a combination of things. First of all, I believe the Lord has blessed the SEC, in part because of my cameo in Facing the Giants. Good things happen to good people, and the SEC is home to a lot of us. Even if we do have Les, Phillip, Rodney Garner and Darth Visor over there.”

“Secondly, I just believe the caliber of athlete that we’re able to recruit on a year-in, year-out basis makes everyone in the country stand up and take notice.”

Meyer: “Quite obviously, it’s because of the National Buckeye Molesting display our proud university administered last January.”

Brooks: “Heck, you know it’s a banner year for the conference when Kentucky has three potential high-end draft picks.”

Miles: “You listen here Snoop (expletive) Dog. You think you can (expletive, expletive, expletive) out LSU on (expletive) national radio and cause a (expletive) storm, do you? I just want to stick my white sneaker so far up your …”

TSIB: “Mr. Miles, you are done with this interview. Somebody please escort Mr. Miles out of the building. Thanks.”

Orgeron: “Cauza recruitin’ on da yaw be goin’ on here. Recruit to Missippi wid da Curnel Reb, we can recruit anywhea. Take yaw shirt offen, a twist it round yo head lika helacopta.”

Croom: “I think we have at least nine fine universities in this league, and I’ve submitted a resume to all nine of them.”

Spurrier: “Obvious. It’s coachin’. Just got a coach ‘em up. We got me, ol’ Nicky, Ears, Golden Boy down at Georgia, Herban’s trying to step out of my shadda down there in Gainesvul. Even got ol’ Flabby over there. Even he’s gotta championship.”

Fulmer: “Obviously, we’ll have to look at the film and evaluate ourselves somewhat, and we’ll have to work like heck to keep up the national exposure.”

TSIB: “Huh?”

Johnson: “We’ve beaten Tennessee and Georgia in the past two years. And we’re historically the worst in the league. We don’t even have an athletic program. Would you want to play in this conference? We’re trying to join the SoCon.”

Saban: “Nick Saban is the reason. We try to develop a culture to be a very demanding group of coaches, motivators, teachers. It’s not uncommon for Nick Saban to give the custodian a verbal undressing if he halfway cleans the urinals in the locker rooms. When you want to be perfect and you strive to be perfect, it’s essential that you are perfect in everything that you do. The other day, Nick Saban followed John Parker to the bathroom, and he missed a button on his pants after taking a dump. Nick Saban made him pull his pants down and start over from scratch. It’s the way Nick Saban rolls. That’s how we win national championships.”

TSIB: “Oh, for cryin’ out loud.”

Nutt: “Well, it’s certainly not because of old geysers like Frank Broyles.”

QUESTION 4

TSIB: Well, we’re running out of time, so I think we have time for two more questions.

First, to have this much talent in the league, you have to have fantastic recruiting schemes. To what do you attribute your recruiting successes?

Richt: “Well, son, you have to recruit the mommas. What good Southern Christian momma worth her scripture wouldn’t want her little boy playing for a moral man like myself. I learned from Diddy. Oh, and Rodney Garner helps. And the butt-cut. Chicks dig the butt-cut.”

Meyer: “I just have all of the players who are already here run the 40-yard dash for the new recruits, and then we go to our marijuana farm in Ocala. Works every time.”

Brooks: “I just tell most of the kiddies that I was around when they finished up the New Testament. They like experience, I guess.”

Orgeron: “Yaw, yaw go to da grove and um wid da girls in da tanky tops. WILD BOYZ! Den I um, do da benchpress. Gotta kept buildin’ wall ’round Mempha, nearly done. Er, um, offa scholahship ta ever 17-year-old in cone-try.”

Croom: “We take them to a barn party.”

Spurrier: “Wellsur, I just tell ‘em if we can pitch it a little, catch it a little and whip a little tookus on the defensive side over there, we can maybe win a game. Cain’t sell tradition if you ain’t got tradition.”

Fulmer: “We have a long, illustrious heritage of cheating without getting caught. Obviously, that’s a bonus. Also, from a facilities standpoint, we’re second-to-none. Plus, I know all the good buffets in town. Chiefly, though, they know they can get away with pretty much anything here.”

Johnson: “World-class education. So, I get all the smart ones … if they’re smart.”

Saban: “Nick Saban will personally pistol-whip any assistant who isn’t pulling his weight in four- and five-star commitments. Our culture has been built on a survival of the fittest concept, and if you aren’t recruiting or working tirelessly on formations for at least 23 hours and 44 minutes out of every day, you cannot work for Nick Saban.”

Houston Nutt: “Pretty much, we try to lock down state borders. Many who live in Arkansas don’t know how to function outside of the state boundaries. We try to sell that.”

Tuberville: “I miss Mike Shula.”

QUESTION 5

TSIB: Again, guys, thanks so much for your time. We have room for one more question, I believe. What are your goals, in less than 10 words, for this season?

Meyer: “Repeat, baby. But, more importantly, score 40 points per game.”

Brooks: “Don’t die.”

Orgeron: “Um, keep a jawb an’ speak Engish.”

Croom: “Reconnect with my NFL sources.”

Spurrier: “Shave my handicap a couple strokes.”

Fulmer: “See my feet.”

Johnson: “Have a winning season.”

Saban: “Attain worldwide domination. Continue talking without saying anything.”

Tuberville: “Get an in-state recruit. Enjoy my last hoorah.”

Nutt: “Buy stock in Wal-Mart and get an unlisted number.”

Richt: “Give up less than 50 to Tennessee.”

TSIB: Thanks again, guys.

What are you looking at?

It's the final casual Friday before the college season kicks off, so I decided to celebrate by wearing an Auburn t-shirt. Here is a picture of the front.

I now live in Philadelphia and they do not see very much Auburn paraphernalia, if ever. At least the Penn State fans recognize my alma mater. I can tell who these people are and how much they love PSU football by the harshness of the stink eye I receive since we beat them the last time we played.

All day today I've put up with people staring hard at my chest when I walk by. I had to tell one manager, "My eyes are up here." Next week will be fun when I wear Dishongh's favorite tractor t-shirt and boots.

Pool update

As of Friday, the number of people who have entered the pool is up to 139 people. That means the first-place prize is up to a whopping $1,251. That is a lot of money. And that's not even taking into consideration the value of the Ramon Escobar Trophy, which you could sell on eBay and probably double your winnings. Second place is up to $139.

Raising Alabama

King Dunlap

Auburn's big left tackle

Smarter Hogville

So which of you rock start genuises want to take credit for this...
http://smarterhogville.blogspot.com

If you don't, someone should invite him or her to join.

This is one of my current favorites

>>5. You must talk about class and integrity, while weaving insults and nerdy nicknames into your posts. e.g. We need a coach with class and integrity, unlike Houston Pecan, and anyone who can't see that is an idiot/moron/rainbow-sniffer/dumbass/hugger/pumper who can suck my c---. Remember, you need only talk about class and integrity, you don't really have to have any yourself.<<

The college football pool primer

In case you ever need to refer back to this information and didn't save a copy, it will always be here in the archives...

Before we jump into it, here are some basic rules to know. Every year, at least one person spends the first week picking with the point spread. Don't let that be you! Please note that the games are picked straight up without regard to the spread. The Vegas line is provided with each game for information purposes and to indicate the amount of points available per game.

Essentially, the standings are based on your win-loss record, but each correct pick is assigned a certain point value based on the line for the game. The following is a breakdown of points available per game:

Games with a point spread of 1 to 4:
All correct picks worth two points each

Games with a point spread of 5 to 8:
If you pick the favorite and it wins, you get two points
If you pick the underdog and it wins, you get three points

Games with a point spread of 9 to 12:
If you pick the favorite and it wins, you get two points
If you pick the underdog and it wins, you get four points

If it sounds complicated, it's not at all, and most games will be in the first category with spreads of 1 to 4 anyway. I promise you will understand when making picks for the first games. It all comes down to picking who you think will win the game, but picking an underdog can be worth a little more sometimes.

For an example of how points influence the standings, the top six finishers last year had the following total points and records following Florida's trashing of Ohio State to end the season:

162 (77-32) Jeremy Peppas
152 (75-34) Mike P.
149 (73-36) Ben Baldwin
149 (69-40) Oscar Davis
147 (70-39) Jeff Kendall
147 (70-39) Kate Dishongh

The Vegas lines are frozen at the time the games for the week are distributed by e-mail. Point values will not change if the spread changes later in the week.

Once you have turned in your picks for the week, no changes can be made. Once you hit send, if you change your mind on a game, just hope for the best.

If you haven't gotten the games in your inbox by noon on Thursday, send me an e-mail to let me know because it probably means there is an e-mail problem somewhere.

Picks should be turned in by 5 p.m. Friday. However, I will take them up until the first game kicks off if for some reason you need extra time. The 5 p.m. Friday deadline is to help you and me. You are pressing your luck by turning in your picks later. I always confirm I have gotten your picks with a reply e-mail if they are sent before 5 p.m. Friday.

In the once-or-twice-a-year case that there is a good Thursday night game, you will get the games a day early on Wednesday morning and they'll be due at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

If you are going on vacation some week or will not have access to e-mail, let me know in advance and we can try to work out an early schedule where you'll get some possible games for the week to pick.

In case of a tie at the end of the season, the protocal for a tiebreaker is total points, followed by record, followed by bowl points, followed by bowl record. If there is still a tie, we will pick the college football all-star games with all entrants eligible. If there is still a tie after that, the money will be split.

Pool entrants top 100

Just an update: As of Tuesday, there are 108 people entered in the college football pool. So the first-place prize is up to $972, and the second-place prize is up to $108. If four more people enter, that moves the grand prize past $1,000.

Pool update

As of Monday, there are 98 people entered in the pool so far. That means the 90-percent share for the winner is up to $882, and the second-place finisher will get $98. But I'm anticipating the entrants to top 100 and hoping that happens if for no other reason than to make the second-place prize $100.

If 96 people in the pool sounds like a lot, consider this: That means you have a one in 96 chance of winning, which is actually really good.

Priceless

15 Feet

Is 15 feet that big of a deal in college football?

Tell that to the 119 D-I kickers who now move back five yards to kick off to opposing teams.

Officials expect more kickoff returns to make the game more enjoyable. More enjoyable? Were there too many touchbacks in 2006?

Let's look at Arkansas. Brian Vavra kicked off 72 times and tallied 22 touchbacks. His average kick traveled 61.2 yards - on average Brian did not reach the goal line. Kick return average by opponents was 21.4.

What does this mean. It means in the case of the Arkansas Razorbacks our opponents 2006 kick return average of 21.4 is about to increase.

Mc501

The Best Back in the Land

The top 20 games to watch this season

According to Sports Illustrated's list, the best game of the year will be Florida at LSU on Oct. 6. Lee, Notre Dame at Penn State on Sept. 8 is No. 20. In Week 1 Florida State at Clemson is No. 18, and Tennessee at Cal is No. 16.

Sports Illustrated ranks schools in four tiers of college football

From SI writer Stewart Mandel's online column:

Kings
Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee*, Texas and USC.

* Tennessee is the lone school in the group that caused any hesitation. The Vols would have been a no-brainer 10 years ago, but they have fallen off the map a bit lately. In the end, I figured those 100 fans in Montana still know "Rocky Top," the checkered end zones and that Peyton Manning went there.

Barons
Auburn, Clemson, Colorado, Georgia, LSU*, Texas A&M, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Washington and Wisconsin.

* While LSU is clearly a premier program right now, its big-picture tradition does not match those of the 13 kings. However, if the Tigers were to add another national title here in the next couple of years, they may well graduate to that group.

Knights
Arizona State, Arkansas, Boston College, Cal, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas State, Maryland, Michigan State, Missouri, N.C. State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Syracuse*, South Carolina, Texas Tech, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington State.

* In normal times, Syracuse would qualify as one of the barons, but they're just so darn bad and so irrelevant right now.

Peasants
Arizona, Baylor, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Duke, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Northwestern, Rutgers*, South Florida*, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt.

* Rutgers is another program that could be on its way up a tier, and South Florida is here by default because it's essentially a start-up.

There is one school intentionally missing from the list, and that's because I have no idea where to put it: Louisville. History-wise, the Cardinals are peasants, but the program has completely reinvented itself over the past decade and now gets mentioned with the kings and barons. For now, we'll just say: TBD.

Where is Auburn on this list?

Rivals.com's top 10 basketball teams of the 64 era

No. 8 - Arkansas 1994

"I remember watching the film of Arkansas as we prepared to play them and seeing all the weapons they had," said former Duke star Grant Hill, whose Blue Devils lost to Arkansas 76-72 in the 1994 title game. "You realized they could embarrass you. They were the kind of team that could blow you out.

"They just constantly threw bodies at you, and in some cases their second unit was just as good as the first."

Four probable games for Week 1

This seems to be the question on a lot of people's minds right now. Here are four good possibilities:

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame
Wake Forest at Boston College
Tennessee at California
Florida State at Clemson

What will be the fifth game? Oklahoma State at Georgia seems like a good candidate. So does Colorado vs. Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Shootout. But none of these are written in stone. Yes, Kansas State at Auburn is on the radar, too.

Saturday's Srimmage

Here are some thoughts.

Michael Smith needs to get on the field somewhere. For the scrimmage they took off his black jersey and he was very effect. He is just so quick.Hopefully David L can work him into the Wildcat some way.

Jeremy Davis continues to boom the punts – lots of 45 yard plus punts. At one point he boomed a long one that was going to be inside the 10 and Reggie Fish chased it, thought better of it and waived it off. He received the biggest cheer of the scrimmage.

Both Jeremy * Alex T are kicking well. Unless there is some separation I suspect HDN will go with Jeremy until he screws up and will then insert Alex.

Dmac took a few good licks on the shoulders, but not much else for him, Felix, or Peyton. Casey was playing split end in the wildcat – I guess he tried to throw a block. Anyway he was very gimpy getting up. Paper said he got cleated. Never saw his as split end again

Malcom Shepherd is moved to d tackle and it appears he is off sides on every play because gets across so quickly.

Freddie Bledsoe was playing 3rd team and appeared to be dogging it.

QB

Casey threw some good passes, had one dropped but also missed about 5. He was mainly running against the 2nd team D. The pocket broke down on Casey a bunch.

Emert had no chance. He was running the 2nd team and against the first team and he was running for his life the entire time. I would be curious to see him with the 1rst team against the 2nd.

Nathan “Little Dick as opposed to Casey- Big Dick (Some fan said this and it was pretty funny although Nathan might take issue.) Looked very good, but he was in with the 2nd team mainly going against the 2-3rd team. However this said – his arm is the strongest and probably has the most potential. Bryan Reader looked good as did the Shiloh walk on – his passes leave the quickest. Joe Chisson appears to be a wasted scholarship at this point. Definitely will be redshirted probably for the next four years.

I have come to the conclusion it is very hard to criticize the QBs for their passing. The offensive lines spends 75% of their time practicing run blocking (as quoted by a player). As I mentioned earlier Nathan Emert never had a pass where he wasn’t under duress. It was that way for a lot of Casey’s attempts as well. This leads me to surmise.

1) Mike M is a great run blocking coach, but isn’twhen it comes to pass blocking. If we ever want to be a passing team, we probably need a switch here…. But since we know that is not going to happen under Hooten “I play not to lose” Nutt then maybe then….

2) Should not be recruiting drop back passers and get scramblers instead. Think back-Zak Clark was a good throwing QB, but was beat out by Matt because Matt could scramble Zak couldn’t. HDN tried to replace Matt with Sorehan, but again Ryan was ineffective primarily because he was a drop back passer and had no escapability. Both Casey and Mitch same deal. They are pocket passers and not scramblers and if they have to scramble we are in trouble. Nathan Dick – drop back passer. Perhaps we should be going after scramblers like - dare I say it… Kodi Burns (oops no text messages to him).

3) Only other option is to get rid of the ball on passing plays much quicker and keep the defense off balanced. Oops another screw up because that was the point of Gus’ HUNH but JFB said that will never work in the SEC plus our players weren’t smart enough to grasp that – I bet Tulsa’s players will – of course Tulsa is a private school and their athletes are smarter) Sorry the darkside is coming out in me and I should really watch myself because you guys might be members of “The Posse.” I think I see Diana out in the parking lot spying now.

But my argument is sound for our lack of passing.

Oh well. Need to work. I think practices are closed for here on so probably no more reports.

The Outer Banks of NC is ACC Country

Thus, in this pic you will not find any hot college girls drinking Smirnoff Ice, obnoxious Vol vans wearing hunter orange banana hammocks, or a gigantic outlet strip mall. Just a beautiful uncrowded beach with nice waves, good surf fishing, and incredible seafood. Plus, a drunk Hog fan in the bottom left corner.

If you're looking for a change of pace from the Redneck Riviera, I highly recommend it. Especially for families. Hmm... Anyone for Destin next weekend? I'm overdue for a bucket of Mai Tai from La Vela.

Only a matter of time...(from buddy Charles Sylvest)

Daily photo by Emily Saunders
Tim and Hannah Witt showed they are "die-hard fans" of the Crimson Tide by naming their first son Tyde and their second son Saban, after head coach Nick Saban. Reportedly, Tyde thinks Saban is his baby and won't let go. Could the Tide in Tuscaloosa eventually feel the same?

rebuttal haiku

Pac Man wrestling
Gentle Ben, the biggest moron
Auburn sucks A$$.

Notes from Wednesday and Thursday Football Practice

Wednesday’s Practice

My brother went by yesterday and watched for about two hours some impressions

Positives
Dmac had a great run. It was draw and by the time he hit the
linebacker area he went into another gear and not one 1rst teamer could
even lay a hand on him.

Peyton looks the fastest he has ever been and still has great hands;
he made a spectacular catch between a linebacker and a safety.

Alex T has a leg. His field goal attempts blast off of his foot. He
also seems very focused. He is always just staring at the goal posts.

D J Williams from CAC is a man among boys. I think we will see some
playing time. Probably as a back up FB.

Ben Cleveland caught everything thrown his way, unfortunately he will
probably only be in when it calls for a pass.

The linebackers all look much bigger than what we have seen in the
past and seemed to move well.

Tim Horton has them working on a lot of drills to prevent fumbling.

Nutt got upset at an official who called holding on a pass play.
Official told him I call them as I see them. Nutt looked more pissed
at
the official than the player.


Negatatives

DMAC will only return punts if we get behind and need a miracle
this is based on the fact that he drops every other one. Felix drops
one in four. Knowing Nutts conservative nature expect to see P
Hillis back there.

The few plays they ran out of the Wildcat were stop immediately. As
soon as Dmac lined up as QB, every defensive player screamed Wildcat.
Hopefully in a real game things will be different.

Passing game very suspect. In the drills were there was no rush,
but a DB covering the wide receiver, Casey was not very accurate. A
lot
of balls were behind the receiver or uncatchable. Emert missed
practice. Nathan Dick has a strong arm and will eventually be better
than Casey. Brian Reader also throws a good ball. Joe Chisson
looks like a waste of a scholarship.

When they went 11 on 11 Casey hit two nice passes over the middle to
Monk, but they were scramble type passes. Probably on half of his
passes he would have been sacked before the ball was ever thrown. The
line still can’t pass block, but maybe with HDN proclivity to run
draws on 3 and 12, the defense will not rush as hard. He missed a bunch
of passes and one was intercepted for a TD. Supposedly he was tired
from all the reps. Expect to see a bunch of 5 yards and out passes.

The deep snappers were pretty inconsistent. The new scholarship guy
from Texas is currently is 2nd team to a walk on. One snapped sailed
over the punters head by about 8 feet.

At one point Reggie Herring jumped all over Fred Bledsoe for things
he screamed were freshman mistakes. I don’t expect Freddie to have a
breakout senior year-too bad.

Off well hope to see them in pads on Friday.


Thursday’s Practice

First the bad news. Marcus Monk went down with a knee injury on a pass
across the middle when he was leveled by Michael Grant. He hobbled to
the trainers table and was there for about 30 minutes before going to
the locker room.

He will have an MRI tomorrow to find out if it is an ACL. If it is
cartilage they said he would be out two weeks.

Practice lasted about an hour and a half and Brandon Barnett was out
there playing CB. The Hogs wasted no time getting into action. Emert
got
more snaps today than Casey. I'm not sure if it was because Casey took
every snap yesterday or if they were trying to give Emert a look.
Either
way Emert makes too many bad passes and was sailing the ball today.
Emert also fumbled 3 snaps. He has strep throat so that may have been a
factor.

(So, naturally, since Emert's sick, they gave him mo snaps....sounds
like a Nutt decision, lol. Woo)

Casey threw the ball pretty well with a few misses but he made a couple
of really nice passes. One was a 25 yarder to Hillis over the middle
where Hillis was cracked by Grant and it took Hillis about 5 minutes to
get up from getting the breath knocked out of him. Another was a fade
for a TD to Fish on a very nice pass.

Nathan Dick appears to be the #3 QB and his first pass was an INT by
Barnett.

The scrimmaging was a mixture of 1's vs 1's, 1's vs 2's and 1's vs 3's.
Overall, the defense got the better of the 1's vs 1's but the offense
made some plays too. Hillis went untouched up the middle for a TD.

Wilkins had a TD for the 2nd group against the 1's.

McFadden had a couple of plays that were blown dead immediately where
he would have had big gains.

One of McFadden's big plays was a run and one was a reception out of a
5 wide formation that I really liked.

I thought the O-line blocked better today, there were some blowups but
overall not bad considering the defense was sending some blitzes.

Grant, Fairchild, Powers, Richardson, Norton, and Broadway seemed to be
making a lot of plays. There were a few minor skirmishes. Valdez took a
freshman DE and drove him about 8 yards back after a play and they got
into it.

Lucas Miller made a nice catch got popped and had a minor shoving match
with one of the CB's. Fish and someone got into it.

Jermaine Love got into it twice with random offensive players. All of
it was minor but I thought it was good to see.

They didn't do much kicking or punting but they worked on punt returns.
Felix had the only drop. Barnett was working back there a little but
I'd
still say Smith, Fish, and Hillis are the favorites.

McFadden does not look like he wants to be back there, and I don't
blame him.

Overall, it was a good practice with a lot going on. I missed some of
the early goal line stuff because the players were in our way and we
couldn't see. The O-line was encouraging and the defense, while good,
wasn't as good as they have been but they still won.
(END)

Couldn't resist inserting a comment.

To me, it was just so fitting of Mr. Nutt. A kid's (Emert) got strep
throat (usually accompanied by a high fever) and Hapless and ReRun (his
father in law) say,

"Hop in dere boy, here's yur big chance....
It's only 102, ain't you tuff. I seen "Sis" catch and skin a beaver in
hotter weather with nothing but her eye teeth and her bare hands."

Of course Weber had probably diagnosed Emert with gout. ((

Haikus for the masses

Arkansas sucks ass
Why are the fans insane there?
Nutt loses by winning


Winning makes fans mad
Will the Hogs season implode?
Nutt hearts Donna Bragg


Word up beekeeper
I broke the ice on haikus
Seven five seven

Auburn , Alabama; what a dump!

Auburn, Alabama is the biggest dump in the world. It smells like
s#!t 24/7. The septic tanks are always filled up because everyone
is s#!tting corndogs and tofu.
Great trash talk for a team that really sucks. I predict Auburn
will go 1-11 this season.

The first T-shirt offering from DVP Studios

Buy at Cafe Press


More to come soon.

bama Football

SI player poll picks McFadden for Heisman

Results from the Sports Illustrated player poll and commentary:

Who is your preseason favorite to win the national championship?
USC: 49.5%
Florida: 17.6%
LSU: 8.4%
West Virginia: 5.9%
Michigan: 5.0%
Texas: 4.2%
Note this: Arkansas, Ohio State and Miami each received two votes.

Who is your preseason favorite to win the Heisman?
Darren McFadden, Arkansas: 58.0%
John David Booty, USC: 10.1%
Steve Slaton, West Virginia: 8.4%
Brian Brohm, Louisville: 4.2%
Colt Brennan, Hawaii: 3.4%

Would you like to see college football institute a playoff?
Yes: 73.1%
No: 24.4%
Maybe: 2.5%

Do you read message boards or blogs where fans discuss your team?
Yes: 39.5%
No: 60.5%

Now appearing on PoolTV

A little something to get you in the mood for the college football season...

2007 SEC Football Predictions from my friend, Jeff Kendall

Folks, it is that time of year again. The pads are popping, the tailgating gear is getting cleaned up and in what has become annual tradition, my SEC Football predictions. We all know that I am not 100% right, but I think I am a pretty good handle on things and am better that some of the magazines you read. Take for example, Phil Steele and his SEC predictions. He has bama ranked 23^rd preseason and Auburn in the 40’s……please. Anyway, these are just my thoughts, feel free to contradict me with your unique thought processes….I know some of you will.

Player of the Year – Darren McFadden, ARK…like there is another, should have solid chance to win Heisman

Defensive Player of the Year – I am picking against the crowd on this one, everyone loves Glenn Dorsey of LSU, but I am going with Quetin Groves, AU

SEC East Winner – UT

SEC West Winner – LSU

SEC Champion – LSU

SEC East

1 – UT (9-3, 6-2) – This is a tough pick, as UT will win the SEC East war of attrition. Yes, they have a decent QB, with decent RB’s and decent WR’s, but no star. They do have David Cutcliffe, who Ole Miss fans will rue the day they let him go, actually they are already ruing. Anyway, their schedule sets up nicely with UGA, USC and ARK all at Neylend. The D, also not great, but serviceable. They will do just enough to win the East with the big showdown game coming on October 27^th against…..

2 – USC (9-3, 5-3) – I really wanted to pick the Cock-n-Fire with the Ol’ Ball Coach number 1 in the East, but just too many tough games on the road. They return 10 starters back on the defense, which includes the Brinkley Twins, Casper and Jasper. And the SEC’s second best RB duo of Mike Davis and Cory Boyd. If Blake Mitchell can stay out of bar fights, and play like he did the end of last year, Spurrier may pull it out and win the East

3 – UF (7-5, 4-4) – Unlike the rest of the college football world who thinks Tim Tebow is ready to win the Heisman this year, he has yet to play a meaningful snap under center. It is his show to run and throw now. I have no doubts he is great talent and will be very good next year, but first year starters in the SEC rarely do well. If UF had some kind of running game, maybe they could be a little better, but Tebow is the returning rushing leader for this team. Yes, I know that Chris Rainey is coming in to play, but he is a true freshmen, he may be good enough to win the starting job, but that isn’t saying much. Add in losing 9 starters on defense and you have a rebuilding year in Gainesville, though wins over UT and UGA will make it palatable.

4 – UGA (8-4, 4-4) – Matt Stafford is going to be great, problem is, is there a WR on the roster that can hang on to the ball? Provided he can get it to them with all the problems on the O-Line. The RB position should be in capable hands with Kregg Lumpkin, which will help some against opposing teams and their pass rush so Stafford can throw to….well, someone. Defensively, the Dawgs are ok, nothing great. If the defense can fill some of their holes and the O-Line can come together quickly, wins over UF and USC are possible.

5 – UK (7-5, 3-5) – Say it isn’t so Joe, the Wildcats are going to back to back Bowl games. UK will be living…and dying on the arm of the best QB in the SEC, Andre Woodson. He will do for UK, what Jay Cutler did for Vandy a couple of years ago. He has great help on the offense with scat back/return guy Rafael Little. Little will help open up some passing lanes for Woodson to hit at least one deep ball a game. Defensively, the Wildcats return most of their starters, so some improvement over last years awful D should be expected. With just a little help from the D, 8 or even 9 wins is possible.

6 – Vanderbilt (6-6, 2-6) – This may be the best Vandy team in decades, but you will never know. SEC Offensive LEADER, that’s right I said leader, Chris Nickson is back for his second year under center to lead Vandy to their fist bowl game in years. Bobby Johnson has done a great job of stocking the best talent that Vanderbilt can get, to make this a complete ball club, unfortunately for them, they still play in the SEC. Any other conference in the nation, and Vanderbilt has at least 2 more wins.

SEC West

1 – LSU (11-1, 8-0) – As much as I like LSU and their talent, I just can’t help but think that Les Mile swill cost them a game or three. Luckily for LSU, they have a great schedule that will allow just about anyone to coach them to the SEC title game. The tough games are not only spread out, but all at home, as if they need any help. Defensively, LSU is just about as good as it gets…and this is how they will win. DT Glenn Dorsey will wreak havoc in the middle, allowing the LB’s to run where ever they need to go to make the plays. On the offense, Matt Flynn finally gets his chance to start. After the demolition of “the U” in the Peach Bowl 2 years ago, the Cajuns are ready for him to start. He will take his lumps early, especially with a new O-Coor down in Baton Rouge, but again with the D and the schedule, he will have a chance to make his mistakes and still win the game. Don’t count out Les and his ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

2 – Auburn (11-1, 7-1) – Now I know everyone is saying, Kendall, what are you thinking you homer, the barners will never win 11 games, but I say, Not so fast my friends. I always try to be as unbiased as possible on this, so here are my reasons. First and foremost, a 5^th year senior QB. Now if Brandon Cox goes down, forget the 11 wins. If he is healthy, like he was two years ago, he is the most accurate passer in the SEC, though not as strong an arm as many Auburn people would like. The schedule, though tough, actually sets up relatively well. Yes, the 4 road games of death are on the schedule, but only ARK and LSU are back to back, and I expect a split in those games. Auburn has a stable of RB’s, any of which could start at most places in the country, and a fast, athletic defense, led by Quentin Groves and Tray Blackmon. Auburn must replace 4 starters on the O-Line, but that is a misnomer as 3 of those four have started several games in their career, with one of them, Leon Hart, actually being names SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week 2 years ago. If the offensive line can gel, and the injury bug stays away, a trip to the A-T-L in December is a possibility.

3 – Arkansas (9-3, 5-3) – or as the world turns to most of us. Can there be anymore drama on a college football team than all the scandal in Fayettenam this past year? I will say that anyone can coach for and against Arkansas this year, the problem will just be stopping the running machine that they have. Everything revolves around Darren McFadden and to a lesser extent Felix Jones. If Casey D&^k can complete 5-8 per game, they are in good shape. The good defensive teams, they play this year, LSU and Auburn, should be able to hold them to less than 200 yards per game, which should be enough to win, and then Houston Nutt is always good for some unexpected loss, too.

4 – bama (6-6, 3-5) – Saint Nick needs some time to build depth. bama has enough talent to compete, but not any depth. They have the best duo of WR’s in the SEC, or at least second best behind UF, with a good enough QB to get the ball to them, but no RB to speak of. The starting RB for bama is starting for South Florida, so that leaves Jimmy Johns to start, who is more of a fullback the tailback. Defensively, they will be better, but the best players are gone and again, no depth. Saint Nick will make them better, but he is still 2 years away from competing, not competing for a National Championship, but competing in the SEC.

5 – Miss State (4-8,1-7) – OK, we have all heard what a great guy Sylvester Croom is and how he is building it “right” with the players he wants, problem is, no one else wants most of those players…well except maybe Ole Miss. Maybe someone should just say, Croom is not a good head coach. There is nothing wrong with that, not many of us would be. And you can make a great living, being the O-Line coach somewhere, maybe even back in the NFL, but hey, all of us like the easy SEC win.

6 – Ole Miss (3-9, 0-8) – Oh how they long for David Cutcliffe. The winningest coach at Ole Miss since what what, 1950? Yes, he had Eli, but Eli would have went to UT if Cutcliffe stayed there. The fans cheer for a 1^st down and they just want there tailgate spot in The Grove. Chalk up another win for all of us and pass the Hotti Totti.

OK, feel free to discuss.

From the Bench column

Winning Season is in the Bank Barring Injuries

Robert Shields

The upcoming Razorback football season has the potential to be one of the best in a very long time. The schedule could not be more favorable with eight home games. At home in conference play, the Hogs face only one really tough team in Auburn. It has Kentucky, Mississippi State, and South Carolina as its other SEC games at home.

There are a few tough road tests such as Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee. Ole Miss at Oxford is also never a cake walk for the Hogs, but that is just life in the SEC. Overall, this is a schedule set up for success with four rent-a-win non-conference games with USC thankfully falling off the schedule. You can count eight games in the bank. As a matter of fact, from my perspective, anything less than nine wins will be disappointing and underachievement.

The Hogs’ offense will be as loaded as any time in history. But as the old adage goes, you win championships with defense. The offense, though, can do its part keeping the defense off the field, which it couldn’t have done under the last offensive coordinator’s sandlot scheme.

What will make or break this season? Special teams play will be pivotal again, and it is anyone’s guess how or if the Hogs’ special teams play will improve from the complete debacle in the kicking game that came in the last three games last season.

A short recap: Against LSU, a missed extra point forced the Hogs to go for two points to try to regain that lost kick. There was also the LSU kickoff return for a touchdown and the Hogs’ inability to kick a field goal when on the LSU side of the field. In the Florida game, the Hogs had a punt blocked, missed a field goal, fumbled a punt into the end zone for an automatic Florida touchdown, and allowed a fake punt for a Florida first down. For Wisconsin, the Hogs allowed another blocked punt and missed a field goal that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Needless to point out, forget everything else about the offense’s lack of ability to throw the ball -- special teams play destroyed your team.

Almost as important as special teams play for the Hogs this season will be injuries, as it is for any team. This, though, is especially true for the Hogs, in both dealing with past injuries and preventing future ones.

The defense will be good if Michael Grant (who into the season was playing as well as any safety in the country), Freddie Fairchild at linebacker, and Marcus Harrison on the defensive line all get well.

The loss of graduating senior Sam Olajubutu at linebacker makes the return of Freddie Fairchild all the more crucial. Fairchild has the look of an NFL linebacker. He could anchor the defense if he is ready to go. Is he ready to go?

Coming off the complete freak knee injury, Grant could anchor the secondary that will need help and may be the weakness of the defense. Harrison was a mainstay on the defensive line. He has had the shortest recovery time, but is needed up front. The defense gains much depth with the return of these players.

Other past injuries may also play a part. Quarterback Casey Dick has not had to go all the way for an entire season. His durability is still in question after a back injury slowed him early at the beginning of last season.

The same can be said about Peyton Hillis. He has had to deal with being banged up from back to thigh during his time in Fayetteville. My hunch is that he is ready to go and will have a very productive senior season.

Darren McFadden was injured going into the bowl game. For Wisconsin to catch him from behind tells you he was not completely healed. I am sure he is now going into this season. He is durable like a tank, and it’s still incredible that he almost lost his toe last year before the season and in just a few weeks was playing again and ended up the Heisman Trophy runner-up.

The list of players just written is the who’s who of this team, and they have all been injured. It is critical for a successful season that they all stay well.

But if there's one thing I know for sure this season, it's that World Granite is going to rock your world.


Send your list to fromthebench@yahoo.com

Wow, this person has some serious "angst" against Nutt

Hi. My name is Houston Dale Nutt, Head Coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and I'm here to tell you why I own this $^#@ing program, and why you cannot do &#%^ to me.

After going 5-6 in 2004, 4-7 in 2005, miraculously, we finished with a 10-4 season and a Capital One Bowl apperance for the 2006 season. I was "forced" to hire an Offensive Coordinator by the name of Gus Malzahn. We all know the only reason why that shlump was hired that so we could land the Springdale Boys. Mitch who? Oh, you mean that "Parade All-American" that cannot pass worth a damn? HAH!

Be happy, you idiots! We got 10 wins and a big game on New Year's Day! That was a moral victory for us! Boy, Minnie Mouse, those ears sure do cause some confusion!

I'm clearly in this for the money. I hate YOU, the internet based fan, you're too educated for someone that doesn't even play fute-bawl. I'm real glad I have someone in the front office that won't let the lazy doofs up there fire me. With Nick Saban going to Alabama, that just sealed my fate as the defacto Head Coach for Life!

http://www.nuttsucks.com/

When Tigers fight

An LSU fan and Auburn fan argue over the SEC West.

Just Because LSU Seaux!

USA Today releases first preseason poll

Auburn at No. 14 and Arkansas at No. 20? It surprises me that Auburn is ranked that high. Another surprise: No Notre Dame in the Top 25.

1. Southern California (45)
2. LSU (4)
3. Florida (9)
4. Texas
5. Michigan (2)
6. West Virginia
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma
9. Virginia Tech
10. Ohio State
11. Louisville
12. California
13. Georgia
14. Auburn
15. Tennessee
16. Rutgers
17. UCLA
18. Penn State
19. Nebraska
20. Arkansas
21. Florida State
22. TCU
23. Boise State
24. Hawaii
25. Texas A&M

Others receiving votes (with 2006) records:
Boston College (10-3) 150; Georgia Tech (9-5) 150; Miami (Fla.) (7-6) 91; Notre Dame (10-3) 90; South Carolina (8-5) 90; Wake Forest (11-3) 71; Missouri (8-5) 58; Oregon State (10-4) 52; Brigham Young (11-2) 47; Clemson (8-5) 30; Oregon (7-6) 30; South Florida (9-4) 26; Texas Tech (8-5) 20; Alabama (6-7) 16; Oklahoma State (7-6) 15; Southern Mississippi (9-5) 14; Iowa (6-7) 12; Kansas State (7-6) 8; Memphis (2-10) 5; Houston (10-4) 4; Arizona (6-6) 1; Duke (0-12) 1; Kentucky (8-5) 1; Washington State (6-6) 1.

Dork Survey: Sports Bloggers Are Smarter, Pastier Than You Thought

from Deadspin by Leitch

Ballhype, the site that does the bewildering blog rankings that everyone has figured out how to rig, has commissioned a "study" of the lifestyles and trends among sports bloggers. The results will SHOCK YOU.

Prepare ... for a demographic breakdown!

By any standard, the sports bloggers who responded to our survey are very well educated, with 56% having at least one college degree and another 26% boasting graduate diplomas. Among all bloggers, the percentage with college degrees is 37%, and among all American adults, it drops to 27% (Pew Internet and American Life Project). And in contrast to some of the stereotypes floating around, most are either employed or full-time students.

75% are employed, 18% are full-time students, and 6% are unemployed. 85% own or rent, and only 10% live rent-free.

Also, 37 percent said their bosses don't know about their sites. So shhh: Let's keep this between us.

2007 Ballhype Sports Blogger Study [Ballhype]

Jermain Taylor makes it rain in NYC

Does Janet Huckabee know about this?

From the Gatecrasher column in today's NY Daily News...

Middleweight world champ Jermain Taylor and friends visited FlashDancers gentlemen's club around midnight Monday. The boxer ordered "stacks of singles in $100 wads," says a witness, to shower over a blond Latina dancer in a quaint ritual the club calls "Making It Rain."