This is how it should be done.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Letters to Ramon
Actual calls from actual listeners...
"Oregon-Oregon State - OSU - aren't they playing for a Rose Bowl berth? I don't know anything about Pac-10 accept that their women's softball players are hot - even the lesbians. Especially the lesbians." -- Jeff G.
"Oregon State - I shudder to think of the uniforms Oregon will unveil for this game." -- Scott F.
"I'm in my own rivarly game - Pride Bowl vs. Lineberry. Gotta hold on to beat Wil." -- Robb O.
"Boomer Sooner Okla U! Have you ever been to Stillwater? It's a dump and it smells like a pig farm as you drive to the middle of nowhere to find it. Plus the stadium will be half empty because the dumb aggies wouldn't sell single game tickets. My high school had a better stadium until the pokes got the Pickens money. 79-16-7 that should say it all. My favorite part will be the Longhorns needing to root for us." -- Sean O.
"It's nutt's fault because he wasn't recruiting." -- Jim C.
"Oregon-Oregon State - OSU - aren't they playing for a Rose Bowl berth? I don't know anything about Pac-10 accept that their women's softball players are hot - even the lesbians. Especially the lesbians." -- Jeff G.
"Oregon State - I shudder to think of the uniforms Oregon will unveil for this game." -- Scott F.
"I'm in my own rivarly game - Pride Bowl vs. Lineberry. Gotta hold on to beat Wil." -- Robb O.
"Boomer Sooner Okla U! Have you ever been to Stillwater? It's a dump and it smells like a pig farm as you drive to the middle of nowhere to find it. Plus the stadium will be half empty because the dumb aggies wouldn't sell single game tickets. My high school had a better stadium until the pokes got the Pickens money. 79-16-7 that should say it all. My favorite part will be the Longhorns needing to root for us." -- Sean O.
"It's nutt's fault because he wasn't recruiting." -- Jim C.
Things I think I think
1. So Wally finally publicly broached the whole "Players not buying into Petrino" thing in his column today. My question is ... why is anybody shocked by it?
Say what you will about Houston Nutt. Love him, hate him or indifferent, there's no denying he was a buddy-buddy coach. He wanted the players to like him. He wanted their hugs. Heck, he wanted them to love him.
Petrino is the absolute opposite of that. He doesn't care if the players love him, as long as they execute. The sudden flip of the script naturally is going to cause some bad blood among the upperclassmen. Add in a losing season and it's no wonder some players are being spoilsports behind the scenes.
But, as bad as it at Arkansas, at least we've not seen this on a Razorback sideline ...
Speaking of Arkansas, when is the last time CBS sent the backup crew to call the LSU game? Don Criqui and Dan Fouts will be in Little Rock, while Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Tracy Wolfson will be at Auburn at Alabama on Saturday.
2. How drunk do you have to be to have sex in a football stadium bathroom? I mean, it's not like getting busy in a Burger King bathroom.
More importantly, how drunk do you have to be to have sex in front of 15 people ... while cheating on your husband or girlfriend?
3. USF head coach Jim Leavitt, sarcasm doesn't fit you well.
4. More YouTube goodness (because we all know you aren't doing much around the office today) ...
Those Aggies might be one of the worst teams in the Big 12, but at least their fans are creative when it comes to mocking Mack Brown ...
5. As always, visit SportsJournalists.com to see the Top 25 ... Coach isn't bad and that ain't good Also, if you have time, check out the flame war on the pages proceeding this week's picks. It makes the guys on the Arkansas message boards look polite.
And ... Awful Announcing: Your Week Thirteen Pammy Nominees
M8B Prediction
Much like the Arkansas football team, the Magic 8 Ball heads into Friday's game unable to salvage a winning season. All that's left is pride and a desire to go out on a winning note.
So, M8B, if you bet on Arkansas (+4.5) against LSU, will you cash in?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the M8B is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-5 in predicting Arkansas games.)
Say what you will about Houston Nutt. Love him, hate him or indifferent, there's no denying he was a buddy-buddy coach. He wanted the players to like him. He wanted their hugs. Heck, he wanted them to love him.
Petrino is the absolute opposite of that. He doesn't care if the players love him, as long as they execute. The sudden flip of the script naturally is going to cause some bad blood among the upperclassmen. Add in a losing season and it's no wonder some players are being spoilsports behind the scenes.
But, as bad as it at Arkansas, at least we've not seen this on a Razorback sideline ...
Speaking of Arkansas, when is the last time CBS sent the backup crew to call the LSU game? Don Criqui and Dan Fouts will be in Little Rock, while Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Tracy Wolfson will be at Auburn at Alabama on Saturday.
2. How drunk do you have to be to have sex in a football stadium bathroom? I mean, it's not like getting busy in a Burger King bathroom.
More importantly, how drunk do you have to be to have sex in front of 15 people ... while cheating on your husband or girlfriend?
Stadium goes out with bang
Two visitors from Iowa engaged in public sexual activities Saturday during the last Gophers football game at the Metrodome, according to a police report.
According to the report:
A Metrodome security worker saw two sets of feet surrounded by dropped pants and underwear underneath a disability-stall door. He peeked through the stall door’s crack and saw two people engaging in intercourse.
By the time officers entered the bathroom to break up the conspicuous couple, a crowd of 15 onlookers had gathered around the over-occupied stall “cheering and laughing.”
After the officers split up the couple and cited both with indecent conduct — a misdemeanor — the male, 26, was released to his girlfriend. The female, 38, was released to her husband. Neither of the offenders’ partners were engaged in the explicit act.
3. USF head coach Jim Leavitt, sarcasm doesn't fit you well.
4. More YouTube goodness (because we all know you aren't doing much around the office today) ...
Those Aggies might be one of the worst teams in the Big 12, but at least their fans are creative when it comes to mocking Mack Brown ...
5. As always, visit SportsJournalists.com to see the Top 25 ... Coach isn't bad and that ain't good Also, if you have time, check out the flame war on the pages proceeding this week's picks. It makes the guys on the Arkansas message boards look polite.
And ... Awful Announcing: Your Week Thirteen Pammy Nominees
M8B Prediction
Much like the Arkansas football team, the Magic 8 Ball heads into Friday's game unable to salvage a winning season. All that's left is pride and a desire to go out on a winning note.
So, M8B, if you bet on Arkansas (+4.5) against LSU, will you cash in?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the M8B is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-5 in predicting Arkansas games.)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
This week's games
I'm sending the games out early this week to help everyone taking off to wherever for Thanksgiving, but you don't have to send the games in before Thanksgiving if you don't want to. The first game starts at 11 a.m. Friday, so I'll need your picks sometime before then. It's rivalry week, and you know anything can happen in these games, especially these. I know everyone else joins me in welcoming Clemson, the best six-win team in America, back into the pool. A lot is on the line in some of these games for Week 14. Same goes for the standings. For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, the proud centerpiece of Beth Shields' Thanksgiving table and War Memorial golf course tailgate, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 10 a.m. Friday.
The Backyard Brawl
West Virginia-Pittsburgh
11 a.m., Fri., ABC
Line: West Virginia by 3
Clean Old-Fashioned Hate
Georgia Tech-Georgia
11 a.m., Sat., CBS
Line: Georgia by 8
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Battle of the Palmetto State
South Carolina-Clemson
11 a.m., Sat., ESPN2
Line: Clemson by 1
The Civil War
Oregon-Oregon State
6 p.m., Sat., Versus
Line: Oregon State by 3
The Bedlam Game
Oklahoma-Oklahoma State
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Oklahoma by 7
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Good luck.
****#****
The Backyard Brawl
West Virginia-Pittsburgh
11 a.m., Fri., ABC
Line: West Virginia by 3
Clean Old-Fashioned Hate
Georgia Tech-Georgia
11 a.m., Sat., CBS
Line: Georgia by 8
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Battle of the Palmetto State
South Carolina-Clemson
11 a.m., Sat., ESPN2
Line: Clemson by 1
The Civil War
Oregon-Oregon State
6 p.m., Sat., Versus
Line: Oregon State by 3
The Bedlam Game
Oklahoma-Oklahoma State
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Oklahoma by 7
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Good luck.
****#****
Monday, November 24, 2008
Iron Bowl Haiku
I'm publishing my weekly haiku just in case people are leaving town.
Some of you will really enjoy this one.
Auburn will lose big
No contest in Iron bowl
Hinchey agrees too.
Some of you will really enjoy this one.
Auburn will lose big
No contest in Iron bowl
Hinchey agrees too.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Letters to Ramon
Actual calls from actual listeners...
Jeff G.'s picks:
Having never lived in MS or LA, I don't understand the LSU/Ole Miss hatred. While I certainly don't pull for either team, I don't see much to hate either. Not like Rocky Top or Spurrier or Urban Meyer or Nick the Dick or... Do both states otherwise suck so bad that they need to take out their frustration on each other?
Miami-Georgia Tech - GTech - here we go again, another ACC toss-up. I actually feel pretty good about this one, though. Gambler's famous last words.
Ole Miss-LSU - Ole Miss - What did I say about Nutt a while back? That he wins games he should lose (and yes, I'm conveniently ignoring the "and loses games he should win" part of that statement). I think LSU is in trouble here.
BYU-Utah - Utah - so do the winners get to marry the other teams' wives?
Florida State-Maryland - Maryland - if you were looking for a game with two of the most unpredictable teams in the most unpredictable conference, mission accomplished.
-
"Not exactly correct. You can go to any Mormon Church and they will have the BYU game on. You'll also get kool-aid, cookies and a heaping dose of Mormonism while you are there. Don't bring beer." -- Jeremy P.
"I'm actually warming up to the 'new' Lucy. Old Lucy was pretty much Pearl Jam all day, so I gave up on for a while. I usually stick with the new Ethel, although, I do occasionally give in the the dark side and enjoy the guilty pleasure that is Hair Nation. And on a political note, I'd like to ask our new president NOT to get involved the college playoff debate. There's not much that the government can get involved in and actually make better, so just stick to what you know, Barack. Shortening the regular season to have an 8 team playoff is a terrible idea. I'd get to see my mediocre Aggies play fewer games each year in exchange for watching USC an extra three weeks in a row. No thanks. When has the season ever ended with people thinking that the 8th ranked team should have been the champion? Just add one extra game at the end, which is essentially a 4 team playoff. That's good enough for me." -- Mark H.
"I couldn't reply to all because there were too many addresses, but please let the people know that I said, 'Graham Cracker' Harrell and 'The Dream' Crabtree do not want to see us in Norman this weekend. But I'll let the game do the talking..." -- Cory I.
"I hope Nuttless becomes Tiger Bait." -- Joe C.
"Thanks a lot Roosevelt Noise. Have Miami and Florida State both won at the same time when both are game picks? Don't bother answering." -- Kate D.
"This ACC business is just WRONG!" -- Marvelous B.
"Tuesday November 18, 2008 -- State Police have recovered the body of an adult male from Lake Michigan at 8:45 AM. The victim apparently drowned due to excessive alcohol consumption. He was wearing a University of Michigan jersey, navy blue fishnet stockings and a gold garter belt. He also had a cucumber inserted in his rectum. The police thoughtfully removed the Michigan jersey to spare the family any unnecessary embarrassment." -- Bucidude
"Roosevelt - you're a smart man. I hate picking the Noles these days... I wish Matt would stop picking these mediocre ACC teams that are so inconsistent... but I guess that's why he picks them. We need more Big 12 teams Matt." -- Sal
"I'd like to propose a ban on ACC games for the remainder of the pool... I thought Miami was the hottest team in the ACC???? GT was ridonkulous last night. I think every game I've picked wrong this season has been an ACC game." -- Jimmie D.
"I'm sad that you couldn't find room in there for the Apple Cup." -- Sean O'H.
"In other important news of note, I'm currently listening to the stream of the new Guns N F****** Roses album. Axl Rose!!! I feel 20 years younger, as I have a new Guns N F****** Roses album turned up loud. Key difference, It isn't a cassette and instead a digital stream through a Mac G4 laptop off a myspace page. Technology!!!" -- Jeremy P.
Jeff G.'s picks:
Having never lived in MS or LA, I don't understand the LSU/Ole Miss hatred. While I certainly don't pull for either team, I don't see much to hate either. Not like Rocky Top or Spurrier or Urban Meyer or Nick the Dick or... Do both states otherwise suck so bad that they need to take out their frustration on each other?
Miami-Georgia Tech - GTech - here we go again, another ACC toss-up. I actually feel pretty good about this one, though. Gambler's famous last words.
Ole Miss-LSU - Ole Miss - What did I say about Nutt a while back? That he wins games he should lose (and yes, I'm conveniently ignoring the "and loses games he should win" part of that statement). I think LSU is in trouble here.
BYU-Utah - Utah - so do the winners get to marry the other teams' wives?
Florida State-Maryland - Maryland - if you were looking for a game with two of the most unpredictable teams in the most unpredictable conference, mission accomplished.
-
"Not exactly correct. You can go to any Mormon Church and they will have the BYU game on. You'll also get kool-aid, cookies and a heaping dose of Mormonism while you are there. Don't bring beer." -- Jeremy P.
"I'm actually warming up to the 'new' Lucy. Old Lucy was pretty much Pearl Jam all day, so I gave up on for a while. I usually stick with the new Ethel, although, I do occasionally give in the the dark side and enjoy the guilty pleasure that is Hair Nation. And on a political note, I'd like to ask our new president NOT to get involved the college playoff debate. There's not much that the government can get involved in and actually make better, so just stick to what you know, Barack. Shortening the regular season to have an 8 team playoff is a terrible idea. I'd get to see my mediocre Aggies play fewer games each year in exchange for watching USC an extra three weeks in a row. No thanks. When has the season ever ended with people thinking that the 8th ranked team should have been the champion? Just add one extra game at the end, which is essentially a 4 team playoff. That's good enough for me." -- Mark H.
"I couldn't reply to all because there were too many addresses, but please let the people know that I said, 'Graham Cracker' Harrell and 'The Dream' Crabtree do not want to see us in Norman this weekend. But I'll let the game do the talking..." -- Cory I.
"I hope Nuttless becomes Tiger Bait." -- Joe C.
"Thanks a lot Roosevelt Noise. Have Miami and Florida State both won at the same time when both are game picks? Don't bother answering." -- Kate D.
"This ACC business is just WRONG!" -- Marvelous B.
"Tuesday November 18, 2008 -- State Police have recovered the body of an adult male from Lake Michigan at 8:45 AM. The victim apparently drowned due to excessive alcohol consumption. He was wearing a University of Michigan jersey, navy blue fishnet stockings and a gold garter belt. He also had a cucumber inserted in his rectum. The police thoughtfully removed the Michigan jersey to spare the family any unnecessary embarrassment." -- Bucidude
"Roosevelt - you're a smart man. I hate picking the Noles these days... I wish Matt would stop picking these mediocre ACC teams that are so inconsistent... but I guess that's why he picks them. We need more Big 12 teams Matt." -- Sal
"I'd like to propose a ban on ACC games for the remainder of the pool... I thought Miami was the hottest team in the ACC???? GT was ridonkulous last night. I think every game I've picked wrong this season has been an ACC game." -- Jimmie D.
"I'm sad that you couldn't find room in there for the Apple Cup." -- Sean O'H.
"In other important news of note, I'm currently listening to the stream of the new Guns N F****** Roses album. Axl Rose!!! I feel 20 years younger, as I have a new Guns N F****** Roses album turned up loud. Key difference, It isn't a cassette and instead a digital stream through a Mac G4 laptop off a myspace page. Technology!!!" -- Jeremy P.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Things I think I think
1. Questions that bother me so ...
Am I the only one who looks at Bob Stoops, then looks at Mike Leach and thinks "Mr. No Personality Stoops had the eccentric Leach on his staff? Really!?!
Who came up with this "head coach in waiting" thing? At some point, will colleges expand the program to head coach in waiting in waiting? After all, if lining up the next coach before the current one retires is good, then wouldn't lining up the next next coach be good as well?
Surfing the blogosphere, I'm constantly amazed at the cyber-drooling done over Erin Andrews. Sure, she's cute. But she's no Melissa Stark. And whatever happened to Jill Arrington anyway?
If LSU had lost to Troy, would The White Cap have been canned? And would any Bayou Bengal fan been upset if he was?
ESPN has the BCS starting in a couple of years ... does this mean more or less Dr. Lou segments on College Gameday? And will I be the only one picketing The Worldwide Leader's HQ if Ron Franklin doesn't get to call one of the BCS games?
2. LSU and Ole Miss might play for the dumbest-looking football trophy ever. It looks like something a Mississippi beauty queen would get along with her crown ...
I never thought I'd see a trophy that makes the Golden Boot look like a good idea. Thanks for proving me wrong Magnolia Trophy.
3. Speaking of ugly ...
Somewhere, the person who designed the Apex jerseys for Arkansas with the Hogs on the shoulders is smiling.
4. What they were really thinking ...
FIVE! Five-dollar footlongs!
5. Link-a-riffic!
SJ.com pollmesiter mocks message boarders
Awful Announcing: Your Pammy Winners And New Standings After Week Twelve
Magic 8 Ball
The Arkansas at MSU game is a "pick 'em" according to the sharpies in Las Vegas. So the question is simple ... Will Arkansas beat MSU this week?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the M8B is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-4 in predicting Arkansas games.)
Am I the only one who looks at Bob Stoops, then looks at Mike Leach and thinks "Mr. No Personality Stoops had the eccentric Leach on his staff? Really!?!
Who came up with this "head coach in waiting" thing? At some point, will colleges expand the program to head coach in waiting in waiting? After all, if lining up the next coach before the current one retires is good, then wouldn't lining up the next next coach be good as well?
Surfing the blogosphere, I'm constantly amazed at the cyber-drooling done over Erin Andrews. Sure, she's cute. But she's no Melissa Stark. And whatever happened to Jill Arrington anyway?
If LSU had lost to Troy, would The White Cap have been canned? And would any Bayou Bengal fan been upset if he was?
ESPN has the BCS starting in a couple of years ... does this mean more or less Dr. Lou segments on College Gameday? And will I be the only one picketing The Worldwide Leader's HQ if Ron Franklin doesn't get to call one of the BCS games?
2. LSU and Ole Miss might play for the dumbest-looking football trophy ever. It looks like something a Mississippi beauty queen would get along with her crown ...
I never thought I'd see a trophy that makes the Golden Boot look like a good idea. Thanks for proving me wrong Magnolia Trophy.
3. Speaking of ugly ...
Somewhere, the person who designed the Apex jerseys for Arkansas with the Hogs on the shoulders is smiling.
4. What they were really thinking ...
FIVE! Five-dollar footlongs!
5. Link-a-riffic!
SJ.com pollmesiter mocks message boarders
Awful Announcing: Your Pammy Winners And New Standings After Week Twelve
Magic 8 Ball
The Arkansas at MSU game is a "pick 'em" according to the sharpies in Las Vegas. So the question is simple ... Will Arkansas beat MSU this week?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the M8B is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-4 in predicting Arkansas games.)
This week's games
Roosevelt Noise is a big fan of picking Florida State games and requested that the Seminoles make the list of games this week, so I am happy to comply with his request and threw in another one of those easy ACC games as a bonus as the elimination games for that conference's championship continue. Similar showdowns are happening this Saturday in the Big 12 and Mountain West where teams are playing for millions of dollars in BCS money. My question about the Texas Tech-Oklahoma game is, can Cory Isom or any of the other OU fans in the pool even attempt to out-trash talk John Sullivan? The BYU-Utah game is being broadcast on something called "the mtn." so unless you are one of the handful in the pool living in Denver or have DirectTV, unfortunately you won't be able to watch this huge match-up. Then there is the intriguing Ole Miss-LSU game where both sides hate each other as much as any rivarly in the country. Can Houston Nutt do it again to Baton Rouge?
Here are the games for your unlucky Week 13. For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, which totally crushes the competition in NFL Vibrating Football, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 5 p.m. Thursday. Note that all picks must be turned in at one time, so don't send me Thursday's game and say the rest are on the way later.
Miami-Georgia Tech
6:45 p.m., Thu., ESPN
Line: Georgia Tech by 3
The Magnolia Bowl
Ole Miss-LSU
2:30 p.m., Sat., CBS
Line: LSU by 4
The Holy War
BYU-Utah
5 p.m., Sat., the mtn.
Line: Utah by 6
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Florida State-Maryland
6:45 p.m., Sat., ESPN
Line: Maryland by 1
Texas Tech-Oklahoma
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Oklahoma by 7
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Good luck.
****#****
Here are the games for your unlucky Week 13. For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, which totally crushes the competition in NFL Vibrating Football, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 5 p.m. Thursday. Note that all picks must be turned in at one time, so don't send me Thursday's game and say the rest are on the way later.
Miami-Georgia Tech
6:45 p.m., Thu., ESPN
Line: Georgia Tech by 3
The Magnolia Bowl
Ole Miss-LSU
2:30 p.m., Sat., CBS
Line: LSU by 4
The Holy War
BYU-Utah
5 p.m., Sat., the mtn.
Line: Utah by 6
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Florida State-Maryland
6:45 p.m., Sat., ESPN
Line: Maryland by 1
Texas Tech-Oklahoma
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Oklahoma by 7
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Good luck.
****#****
Monday, November 17, 2008
Fox out of BCS bidding
Looks like ESPN will get the BCS bowls. I just wonder if the economic mess will wind up biting them on the butt for some of these TV contracts ...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3709030
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3709030
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Letters to Ramon
Actual calls from actual listeners...
"WTF!!! No more 'the Rhyme' and Beyond Jazz. I don't approve of this merger." -- Cat Sims
"You know what we need... A term limit on all college football head coaches. This shouldn't be limited to just the President and Congressional leaders, why not expand it to things that really matter like college football. I say if you can't win a conference championship in 4 years it is time to move on, if you win one you get a second term, if you win a national championship you get an additional 2 years. The max any one coach can remain a school is 10 years. By that time, he will have started to piss off the local columnists and alienate at least 50% of the boosters." -- Ryan H.
"I agree with you about Lucy...although when I tuned it in they were playing Beastie Boys which is alright with me." -- Scotty P.
"Ok, I'm 1 point away from the lead.... this is where I lose it. (I changed 3 picks right before I typed... 0-5 for sure.)" -- Seth Mac
"I can't say I'm excited about 3 ACC games being I'm under .500 picking those. I have no real clue when it comes to those western schools. Translation: I'm guessing on all these. And just when I was moving into striking range of Hicks." -- Jeff G.
"BYU-Air Force - BYU - never bet on a service academy to win. Have you seen an Army-Navy game in the last 20 years? Me neither, and I like to watch football." -- Jeff G.
"Okay, add me to the list of people bitchin' about ACC games. I can handle 1, or maybe 2 on a really big week, but 3 is unacceptable. You need to clean up your act." -- Jerry W.
"I continue to enjoy reading your battle with the 'darksiders' and was absolutely amazed at the electoral map. I knew we lived in a state that 'race mattered', but I did not realize to what extent....... and it seems even more so than our surrounding southern states." -- D Romeo
"Such a weak weekend... I might actually spend some time with my family!" -- Ryan H.
"It's sad when I can't argue with you when you say there's basically no big games this week when Auburn is playing Georgia. Sad, sad, sad." -- Seve Chang
"I bet whoever does best picking the unpredictable ACC games will win this thing. It won't be me. Some might say that unpredictability is the mark of great competition - in the ACC it is a mark of mediocrity." -- Kate D.
"If I don¹t do any better, I will have to see Alex for real (I am one step below him in the poles)." -- Pat B.
"WTF!!! No more 'the Rhyme' and Beyond Jazz. I don't approve of this merger." -- Cat Sims
"You know what we need... A term limit on all college football head coaches. This shouldn't be limited to just the President and Congressional leaders, why not expand it to things that really matter like college football. I say if you can't win a conference championship in 4 years it is time to move on, if you win one you get a second term, if you win a national championship you get an additional 2 years. The max any one coach can remain a school is 10 years. By that time, he will have started to piss off the local columnists and alienate at least 50% of the boosters." -- Ryan H.
"I agree with you about Lucy...although when I tuned it in they were playing Beastie Boys which is alright with me." -- Scotty P.
"Ok, I'm 1 point away from the lead.... this is where I lose it. (I changed 3 picks right before I typed... 0-5 for sure.)" -- Seth Mac
"I can't say I'm excited about 3 ACC games being I'm under .500 picking those. I have no real clue when it comes to those western schools. Translation: I'm guessing on all these. And just when I was moving into striking range of Hicks." -- Jeff G.
"BYU-Air Force - BYU - never bet on a service academy to win. Have you seen an Army-Navy game in the last 20 years? Me neither, and I like to watch football." -- Jeff G.
"Okay, add me to the list of people bitchin' about ACC games. I can handle 1, or maybe 2 on a really big week, but 3 is unacceptable. You need to clean up your act." -- Jerry W.
"I continue to enjoy reading your battle with the 'darksiders' and was absolutely amazed at the electoral map. I knew we lived in a state that 'race mattered', but I did not realize to what extent....... and it seems even more so than our surrounding southern states." -- D Romeo
"Such a weak weekend... I might actually spend some time with my family!" -- Ryan H.
"It's sad when I can't argue with you when you say there's basically no big games this week when Auburn is playing Georgia. Sad, sad, sad." -- Seve Chang
"I bet whoever does best picking the unpredictable ACC games will win this thing. It won't be me. Some might say that unpredictability is the mark of great competition - in the ACC it is a mark of mediocrity." -- Kate D.
"If I don¹t do any better, I will have to see Alex for real (I am one step below him in the poles)." -- Pat B.
This week's games
To me there is never a down weekend in college football, but if you are looking for a Saturday this season with the absence of the "big game," this is probably it... except, of course, in the ACC, where that crazy conference has a big game every week. In Week 12, you will find three big games in the ACC, where as previously mentioned, three-fourths of the teams still have a shot to make it to the conference championship. For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, which I will use on someone at XM Radio's head if The Rhyme and Lucy are not back on my radio by tomorrow, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 5 p.m. Thursday.
Virginia Tech-Miami
6:45 p.m., Thu., ESPN
Line: Miami by 4
California-Oregon State
2:30 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Oregon State by 3
BYU-Air Force
2:30 p.m., Sat., CBS College Sports
Line: BYU by 4
North Carolina-Maryland
2:30 p.m., Sat., ABC/ESPN
Line: North Carolina by 2
Boston College-Florida State
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Florida State by 7
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Good luck.
****#****
Virginia Tech-Miami
6:45 p.m., Thu., ESPN
Line: Miami by 4
California-Oregon State
2:30 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Oregon State by 3
BYU-Air Force
2:30 p.m., Sat., CBS College Sports
Line: BYU by 4
North Carolina-Maryland
2:30 p.m., Sat., ABC/ESPN
Line: North Carolina by 2
Boston College-Florida State
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Florida State by 7
* Underdog worth three points in this game
Good luck.
****#****
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Things I think I think
1. News surfaced Tuesday that Disney/ABC/ESPN is wanting to usurp broadcast rights of BCS games from Fox. According to Sports Business Journal, ESPN is prepared to offer $500m for a four-year contract. That's a 50-percent hike over the current Fox deal.
What would make this unusual is Disney doesn't want the games for ABC. Instead, all the BCS games - including the title game - would air on ESPN and ESPN alone. Some see this as a natural progression of sports leagues to pay cable and satellite channels and, then, eventually, the Super Bowl airing exclusively on PPV.
Frankly, I don't care about the machinations or future implications. I just want ESPN to take over the BCS games because of the horrid job Fox does with them. The announcing crews are second-rate at best and hamstrung by not doing college football games for most of the year. Fox keeps its best technical people (directors, producers, cameramen, et al) locked on the NFL. So the broadcast quality of BCS games often looks just a hair better than the PPVs produced by the UA's new media partner, ISP.
ESPN has fashioned itself into the ultimate destination for CFB coverage. It's the logical place for the BCS.
2. Did you see Mike "I'm a man!" Gundy's trick for signaling in the plays against Texas Tech? It's the old Gus Mal-a-zhan ploy of holding up cardboard signs with symbols and letters and such but writ large. Very large.
Anyway, I guess the Cowboys' defense didn't read the sign on the left.
3. This might be the best defensive line play we'll see this season ...
This might be the worst ...
4. Get your licks in on Tennessee now, before the Vols hire Leach or Muschamp.
5. SJ.com's Top 25 is consistently hilarious ... http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/index.php/topic,59980.msg2161740.html#msg2161740
As is Awful Announcing's Pammy Standings ...Awful Announcing: Your Pammy Winners And New Standings After Week Eleven
Magic 8 Ball Prediction
With no Arkansas game this week, M8B is like a rudderless ship. We thought about asking M8B for some predictions on other CFB games. But, frankly, there aren't any that are all that interesting. So, instead, we asked a more important question ...
Are you embarrassed at being below .500 in your predictions?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the Magic 8 Ball is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-4 in predicting Arkansas games.)
What would make this unusual is Disney doesn't want the games for ABC. Instead, all the BCS games - including the title game - would air on ESPN and ESPN alone. Some see this as a natural progression of sports leagues to pay cable and satellite channels and, then, eventually, the Super Bowl airing exclusively on PPV.
Frankly, I don't care about the machinations or future implications. I just want ESPN to take over the BCS games because of the horrid job Fox does with them. The announcing crews are second-rate at best and hamstrung by not doing college football games for most of the year. Fox keeps its best technical people (directors, producers, cameramen, et al) locked on the NFL. So the broadcast quality of BCS games often looks just a hair better than the PPVs produced by the UA's new media partner, ISP.
ESPN has fashioned itself into the ultimate destination for CFB coverage. It's the logical place for the BCS.
2. Did you see Mike "I'm a man!" Gundy's trick for signaling in the plays against Texas Tech? It's the old Gus Mal-a-zhan ploy of holding up cardboard signs with symbols and letters and such but writ large. Very large.
Anyway, I guess the Cowboys' defense didn't read the sign on the left.
3. This might be the best defensive line play we'll see this season ...
This might be the worst ...
4. Get your licks in on Tennessee now, before the Vols hire Leach or Muschamp.
5. SJ.com's Top 25 is consistently hilarious ... http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/index.php/topic,59980.msg2161740.html#msg2161740
As is Awful Announcing's Pammy Standings ...Awful Announcing: Your Pammy Winners And New Standings After Week Eleven
Magic 8 Ball Prediction
With no Arkansas game this week, M8B is like a rudderless ship. We thought about asking M8B for some predictions on other CFB games. But, frankly, there aren't any that are all that interesting. So, instead, we asked a more important question ...
Are you embarrassed at being below .500 in your predictions?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the Magic 8 Ball is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-4 in predicting Arkansas games.)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Letters to Ramon
"Race to the bottom continues! After a horrible season of picks, I need that 10-dollar gift card to repurchase my dignity." -- Jeff D.
"Would TCU puleeeez recruit a place kicker!?!" -- Geoff H.
"Would TCU puleeeez recruit a place kicker!?!" -- Geoff H.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Letters to Ramon
Actual calls from actual listeners...
"Okay, I am a big supporter of an NCAA football playoff. However, I have to admit that a lot of matchups (particularly in the Big 12) are more exciting knowing that a loss could leave a team out of the National Championship this early." -- Jerry W.
"TCU-Utah - TCU - Christians v Mormons II - Southpark said Mormonism is the true religion, but we don't care about that. The real question is 'who is better at football?' Jesus 2, John Smith 0." -- Jeff G.
"Notre Dame-Boston College - BC - two things are for certain when you get two micks together: drinking and fighting. When it comes to those, I'll take Boston over Indiana/Chicagoland anytime." -- Jeff G.
"Just mark me down as a 5-0 now. I've got a new method for picking games. Can't give away my secret, but it has everything to do with the alphabet and the sacrifice of two chickens. Don't worry, waste not want not... one chicken hits the grill and the other goes into the soup." -- Greg Biz.
"If the only thing President Obama accomplishes during his term is to institute a college football playoff, he will nonetheless be revered as the equal to Washington and Lincoln." -- Paul H.
"Wow, I can't believe I picked ND AND bama, the presidential election really messed me up." -- Trey D.
"Saw that Obama thing on Monday Night. Poor McCain cited something like 'performance enhancing drugs.' No wonder he lost!!!" -- Steve N.
"Yes, gentlemen, you've heard of the Bentonville princesses, now there is such a thing as a Fayetteville/Springdale princess. I found them this weekend while sitting in the corporate box at the game. Dressed like Paris Hilton with their oversized sunglasses and handbags and undersized sundresses, they had front row seats right by the glass like the Bentonville princesses. However Fay/Spdl princesses are a little older and they don't play Tetris on their regular flip phones. They have iPhones on which they text back and forth to each other. Also they play with their digital cameras on which they view the pictures of who/whatever they did from the night before." -- Cat
"Now that I put this into perspective, not submitting my picks last week is probably my most significant act of unintentional charity this year..... I hope Mr. Hicks and the other competitors appreciate me giving them another opportunity." -- Fleetwood
"Okay, I am a big supporter of an NCAA football playoff. However, I have to admit that a lot of matchups (particularly in the Big 12) are more exciting knowing that a loss could leave a team out of the National Championship this early." -- Jerry W.
"TCU-Utah - TCU - Christians v Mormons II - Southpark said Mormonism is the true religion, but we don't care about that. The real question is 'who is better at football?' Jesus 2, John Smith 0." -- Jeff G.
"Notre Dame-Boston College - BC - two things are for certain when you get two micks together: drinking and fighting. When it comes to those, I'll take Boston over Indiana/Chicagoland anytime." -- Jeff G.
"Just mark me down as a 5-0 now. I've got a new method for picking games. Can't give away my secret, but it has everything to do with the alphabet and the sacrifice of two chickens. Don't worry, waste not want not... one chicken hits the grill and the other goes into the soup." -- Greg Biz.
"If the only thing President Obama accomplishes during his term is to institute a college football playoff, he will nonetheless be revered as the equal to Washington and Lincoln." -- Paul H.
"Wow, I can't believe I picked ND AND bama, the presidential election really messed me up." -- Trey D.
"Saw that Obama thing on Monday Night. Poor McCain cited something like 'performance enhancing drugs.' No wonder he lost!!!" -- Steve N.
"Yes, gentlemen, you've heard of the Bentonville princesses, now there is such a thing as a Fayetteville/Springdale princess. I found them this weekend while sitting in the corporate box at the game. Dressed like Paris Hilton with their oversized sunglasses and handbags and undersized sundresses, they had front row seats right by the glass like the Bentonville princesses. However Fay/Spdl princesses are a little older and they don't play Tetris on their regular flip phones. They have iPhones on which they text back and forth to each other. Also they play with their digital cameras on which they view the pictures of who/whatever they did from the night before." -- Cat
"Now that I put this into perspective, not submitting my picks last week is probably my most significant act of unintentional charity this year..... I hope Mr. Hicks and the other competitors appreciate me giving them another opportunity." -- Fleetwood
The Election: Executive Decision
Barack Obama is the new president elect of the United States. He will, of course, be dealing with many important issues in the next four years, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have opinions on some of the country's lesser issues. Luckily, SI.com's Arash Markazi got to ask President-elect Obama for his thoughts on the BCS as part of an extensive Q&A this week.
"I'm not sure who came up with the idea for the BCS formula we use today, but to borrow a phrase I've used over and over on the campaign trail, it's time for a change," says Obama. "I'm tired of all the confusion and controversy that boils over at the end of every college football season, and I think an eight-team playoff would make a lot of sense."
This week's games
President Obama said on Monday Night Football that one of the biggest issues facing sports is instituting a playoff for college football. No wonder so many people around the country were celebrating last night. This season more than any in recent memory warrants eight teams getting a shot at the end of the season, and more than half of the teams in this week's games might be in that mix. To those who say a playoff simply isn't possible, I say, Yes we can.
Here's Week 11, a taste of some teams that might be jockeying for a playoff spot plus the annual battle of Holy orders. For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, universally acknowledged by both the Jesuits and Congregation of Holy Cross, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 5 p.m. Thursday. Don't forget to hit send.
TCU-Utah
7 p.m., Thu., CBS College Sports
Line: TCU by 2
Georgia Tech-North Carolina
11 a.m., Sat., Raycom ACC
Line: North Carolina by 4
Alabama-LSU
2:30 p.m., Sat., CBS
Line: Alabama by 3
Oklahoma State-Texas Tech
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Texas Tech by 3
Battle for the Ireland Trophy
Notre Dame-Boston College
7 p.m., Sat., ESPN
Line: Boston College by 3
Good luck.
****#****
Here's Week 11, a taste of some teams that might be jockeying for a playoff spot plus the annual battle of Holy orders. For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, universally acknowledged by both the Jesuits and Congregation of Holy Cross, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 5 p.m. Thursday. Don't forget to hit send.
TCU-Utah
7 p.m., Thu., CBS College Sports
Line: TCU by 2
Georgia Tech-North Carolina
11 a.m., Sat., Raycom ACC
Line: North Carolina by 4
Alabama-LSU
2:30 p.m., Sat., CBS
Line: Alabama by 3
Oklahoma State-Texas Tech
7 p.m., Sat., ABC
Line: Texas Tech by 3
Battle for the Ireland Trophy
Notre Dame-Boston College
7 p.m., Sat., ESPN
Line: Boston College by 3
Good luck.
****#****
Things I think I think
1. I think I think Texas Tech's win against Texas might have been one of the best second halves of football I've ever seen. Who wasn't amused by the TT fans charging the field after the TD, then being herded off? And charging the field after the PAT, and being herded off. Remember kids, don't hit the field until the clock strikes 0:00.
Good for the Red Raiders. And good for eccentric Mike Leach. College coaching needs more characters, instead of the coachbots who seem to have no interests outside of football.
2. Many bitter fans of Houston Nutt saw last Saturday's game against Tulsa and Gus Mal-a-zhan as a referendum on whether Frank Broyles was right when he said the hurry-up, no-huddle offense would work in the SEC. They gleefully danced a jig when Arkansas escaped with a win.
Of course, it was not a referendum on the HUNH. It was, however, one on the emptiness of the cupboard Nutt left.
3. Arkansas fans on the infamous message boards and sports talk radio shows were excited to hear Phil Fulmer was fired at Tennessee. I wonder if they'll be that excited to play the Vols if Will Muschamp is the head coach and Mal-a-zhan is the offensive coordinator?
4. I think your Halloween costume wasn't as good as this one ...
5. As always, I direct you to the SportsJournalist.com Top 25, where just one point separates No. 1 from No. 2 ... http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/index.php/topic,59980.msg2146154.html#msg2146154
And the AwfulAnnouncing.com's Pammy Standings ... Awful Announcing: Your Pammy Winners And New Standings After Week Ten
Magic 8 Ball Prediction
Another week, another loss for M8B as Arkansas covered the spread (and won outright) against Tulsa.
M8B, Arkansas is getting 10 points against South Carolina, so if a bettor was to take Arkansas and the points would it be a winning bet?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the Magic 8 Ball is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-3 in predicting Arkansas games.)
Good for the Red Raiders. And good for eccentric Mike Leach. College coaching needs more characters, instead of the coachbots who seem to have no interests outside of football.
2. Many bitter fans of Houston Nutt saw last Saturday's game against Tulsa and Gus Mal-a-zhan as a referendum on whether Frank Broyles was right when he said the hurry-up, no-huddle offense would work in the SEC. They gleefully danced a jig when Arkansas escaped with a win.
Of course, it was not a referendum on the HUNH. It was, however, one on the emptiness of the cupboard Nutt left.
3. Arkansas fans on the infamous message boards and sports talk radio shows were excited to hear Phil Fulmer was fired at Tennessee. I wonder if they'll be that excited to play the Vols if Will Muschamp is the head coach and Mal-a-zhan is the offensive coordinator?
4. I think your Halloween costume wasn't as good as this one ...
5. As always, I direct you to the SportsJournalist.com Top 25, where just one point separates No. 1 from No. 2 ... http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/index.php/topic,59980.msg2146154.html#msg2146154
And the AwfulAnnouncing.com's Pammy Standings ... Awful Announcing: Your Pammy Winners And New Standings After Week Ten
Magic 8 Ball Prediction
Another week, another loss for M8B as Arkansas covered the spread (and won outright) against Tulsa.
M8B, Arkansas is getting 10 points against South Carolina, so if a bettor was to take Arkansas and the points would it be a winning bet?
(Views expressed by the Magic 8 Ball do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog, the blog owner nor this post's author. Advice from the Magic 8 Ball is for entertainment purposes only and not for actual wagering ... especially since Magic 8 Ball is 3-3 in predicting Arkansas games.)
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Letters to Ramon
"In order to maintain at least a shred of my 'independent' bona fides, I voted for Phil Wyrick over Buddy Villines (this is a "change" election year, after all). Phil came to speak at a Hillcrest Residents Association meeting earlier this year, and I was favorably impressed by the fact that his boots, belt AND cell phone case were all done in matching hand-tooled leather. It is a good look." -- GB
"In the words of Al Michaels... 'do you believe in miracles?' I was dreading looking at how far down I would slide after my dismal record on Saturday. Who knew that Jimmy "The Greek Orthodox" Daly would forget to submit his picks?" -- Geoff H.
"In the words of Al Michaels... 'do you believe in miracles?' I was dreading looking at how far down I would slide after my dismal record on Saturday. Who knew that Jimmy "The Greek Orthodox" Daly would forget to submit his picks?" -- Geoff H.
Monday, November 03, 2008
JOHN DALY SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
In response to the bad press that always follows 24 hours in the drunk tank when you pass out at Hooters, John Daly has come forth to set the record straight on last week’s incident. And by “set the record straight,” I mean “confuse me with statements that don’t fit in with the police report.”
According to Winston-Salem police, Daly appeared “extremely intoxicated and uncooperative” when he was found outside a Hooters restaurant early Oct. 27. With no other means of transportation, he was taken to the Forsyth County jail for 24 hours to get sober.
Daly said it could have been avoided if his friends had realized he tends to sleep with his eyes open when he’s tired, stressed and has been drinking. He said the driver of his private bus, parked near Hooters, panicked when he saw Daly and called the paramedics. [...]
“The bus driver called 911 because my eyes were open,” Daly said. “I said, ‘What’s going on?’ He said, ‘We thought you were dead.’ Anybody who knows me … when I’m tired, I sleep with my eyes open. They know it takes awhile to wake me up.”
So, okay. The police report says Daly passed out in the Hooters, and his friends abandoned him. Daly says he was on his bus, and his concerned friends called the paramedics. I don’t want to sound like some asshole skeptic here, but maybe — juuuuuust maybe — we should take the word of the passed-out drunk with a little salt.
Auburn fans debate the coaching situation
Trey D: Fulmer agrees to step down as Vols coach.
Matt D: I guess Auburn will be competing with Tennessee for Leach and Muschamps.
Jeff K: No way on either... first CTT will be around next year.... second, if Franklin didn't work out, do you really think that Leach would???... third, I know the prevailing theory is that Mushchamp would be a great SEC coach, but he is too young with no head-coaching experience and his defenses seem not to play all that well in big games.....
Charles S: I think Muschamp does not have the mentality to be a head coach at this time. Case in point, look at him leaving Auburn in a hot-headed decision... or at least what was reported. I propose a dual head coach position: Tubs coaching defense at 2.5 per year and Leach coaching offense at 2.5 per year. The dynamic duo! That's a joke so you don't waste your time responding.
Robert S: If Leach was smart he would stay right where he is at.
Jerry W: Can they leagally fire CTT at Auburn until he loses to Alabama? Seriously, I think they should keep him anyway, but there has to be some kind of by-law at Auburn that says "you cannot fire a football coach that has over 3 consecutive wins against Alabama until said coach ends that streak."
Jeff K: That why he is still there.... provided Bobby Lowder is making all the decisions..... seriously, I can’t see him going anywhere this year.
Matt D: I guess Auburn will be competing with Tennessee for Leach and Muschamps.
Jeff K: No way on either... first CTT will be around next year.... second, if Franklin didn't work out, do you really think that Leach would???... third, I know the prevailing theory is that Mushchamp would be a great SEC coach, but he is too young with no head-coaching experience and his defenses seem not to play all that well in big games.....
Charles S: I think Muschamp does not have the mentality to be a head coach at this time. Case in point, look at him leaving Auburn in a hot-headed decision... or at least what was reported. I propose a dual head coach position: Tubs coaching defense at 2.5 per year and Leach coaching offense at 2.5 per year. The dynamic duo! That's a joke so you don't waste your time responding.
Robert S: If Leach was smart he would stay right where he is at.
Jerry W: Can they leagally fire CTT at Auburn until he loses to Alabama? Seriously, I think they should keep him anyway, but there has to be some kind of by-law at Auburn that says "you cannot fire a football coach that has over 3 consecutive wins against Alabama until said coach ends that streak."
Jeff K: That why he is still there.... provided Bobby Lowder is making all the decisions..... seriously, I can’t see him going anywhere this year.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
The legendary Fire in action at the VI
Fire at the Village Inn (AKA the VI). The most electrifying busboy/mayoral candidate/interesting dude in Fayetteville history.
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