Hoozah and Kudos
* Brigham Young: Upset No. 3 Oklahoma after the various ESPN talking heads said BYU had no chance and would get blown out. Oops. In fairness, taking Sam Bradford out, had something to do with the Coogs win. Of course it won't happen since the NCAA is more concerned about protecting the power conferences, but the lesser thans -- BYU, Boise State -- should all play in BCS bowls. They won't, of course, since the NCAA is more worried about the Big East and the weak ass ACC.
* Central Arkansas: The Bears sure look a lot better than when I played for them 20 years ago. Yes, yes, your humble blog poster is a former college football player, not a very good one, but I had a number and everything. Uriah Perry maintains the tradition of squatty, not very athletic players wearing No. 60. Perry's an actual nose guard, while I was just the guy who played nose guard on the scout team. Anyway, UCA looked like a team to beat when they faced Hawaii on Friday. Or Saturday since the game kicked off here at Midnight. I was deeply enthralled until I heard from her, "really? It is nearly One and you are still up?" With that, it was off to bed and the wonders of Tivo to watch it on Saturday morning. Good show Bears, the win was in hand until a breakdown in the final two minutes. *shrug* Just the way of life when I-AA teams play up. Northern Iowa got a taste of that against Iowa. Richmond beat Duke though, so there you go.
* Kool-aid drinkers: One cup of sugar, plus one packet of Kool-Aid makes water taste so much better. The same can be said of Razorback fans, who get a constant diet of sugary coverage instead of honest analysis. Arkansas isn't very good this year. Yeah, yeah, they beat (Southwest) Missouri State 48-10. Who cares? Tennessee played Western Kentucky, one year removed from I-AA and the Vols laid the smack down 63-0 and a bajillion yards of offense. I thought 6-6 before the season started, and I may downgrade to 5-7 or 4-8. Tejada can't make a kick to save his life. He'll cost Arkansas at least one game, maybe two this season. And let's face it, Petrino is a poor coach. He sells people on what he did at Louisville, but he has yet to show any kind of inovation or player development. The defense stinks. The offensive line is pieced together with converted tight ends and academic mysteries. A Baker's Dozen running backs and none stood out since they all got five carries each. Mallett, laughed out of Michigan, looked wooden and unable to evade the SMSU pass rush. what happens when Rolando McClain, or one of a dozen other top-flight linebackers come pouring throught that porous offense line?
* Little Rock: Arkansas loves the Razorbacks so much, War Memorial didn't sell out. As a matter of fact, we walked up and bought two tickets an hour before kickoff. The row we were on, was not full. Really makes you wonder. It used to be said the whole state was for the Razorbacks, but that isn't true, not anymore. You ask a kid nowadays and they might rattle of pro teams or another college as their favorite team. Part of the fan experience is being able to go to the game, but two tickts were $90, plus $10 to park, and another $20 at the concession stand for drinks, peanuts and a package of M&Ms. One hundred and twenty dollars to watch Arkansas and a I-AA play some sloppy football and I live a mile from the stadium. So what does that say for the people who live hundreds of miles away and have the option of watching top 10 teams play on TV for roughly free or driving to Little Rock or Fayetteville for hundreds of dollars and that assumes they don't need a hotel, that they can't get just for one night. Their parents may still worship the Pig, but their kids, they are so far removed from gameday they wouldn't know what to do. Oh, and one more thing, tickets are still available for the Arkansas-Texas A&M in Dallas. For the low, low price of $300, you can buy one ticket for the game. Family of four is looking at $1,200 plus handling charges. Parking is $75. Then you have a hotel that you'll have to pay for two nights, plus gas to drive, meals and snacks at the game. No thanks.
* Orlando: Going on vacation next week. Hope not to comeback, but I will. Please leave tips on things to do at Universal Studios in the comments section. The whole trip with two week-long passes to Universal, two roundtrip airfares and five nights of hotel will be cheaper than four tickets to Arkansas-Texas A&M. Huh, I wonder why people aren't falling all over themselves to get to that game.
* Recruiting: I'm told any mention of Michael Dyer makes the blog light up like Jennings Obsbourne's house used to do at Christmas. So there's your Michael Dyer reference. Michael Dyer. Micahel Dyer. Michael Dyer. Auburn. Ole Miss. Tennessee. Arkansas. Etc.
NOTE: I know the NCAA doesn't recognize I-AA anymore, but that's stupid and I won't make the switch.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Week 1: Letters to Ramon
"I think it would be good to give a bit of historical background for those who don't know it re: the origins of the Ramon Escobar trophy. You know, a little about his life and legacy leading to the creation of this football pool and hallowed award." -- Brad C.
"Miami will never win again since they moved to the new Orange Bowl.
How long will it take for Michigan football to return? My guess a few more years and another coaching change. And thanks for Ryan Mallett." -- BR
"If I recall, though, I soundly beat you every year in this pool but let's let bygones be bygones." -- Trey to Jerry
"Well, sit down, spin around and spit twice -- a Thursday game and an ACC game. This is cruel to the power of 10." -- Kate D.
"For laughs, check out this article on Mustain: Mitch Mustain has become the invisible man at USC. That's OK by him, as long as he gets a legit shot in the NFL, Mark Kriegel says." -- Ron R.
"I've decided to by and large go against the spread, unless my gut tells me otherwise, for the first month, then back to going with the spread... we'll see how this goes." -- Alejandro O.
"I can't believe I'm going against the SEC....but I'm not feeling it with Georgia and Alabama this week. They both have something to prove on the offensive side of the ball in my opinion. I think Georgia's gonna get blown out and VT will win in a nail biter 10-7." -- Jim D. of hazynation
"Prior to leaving LR to travel to the again beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast to join my '57 classmates as well as others graduating throughout the '50s, I am enclosing this semi-retiree's (a classification you omitted from your initial discourse) selections: (1) Boise State because almost anyone is better than Pac 10 teams, especially in the first games of the year; (2) Georgia because Auburn got OSU's best assistant coaches; (3) Virginia Tech because I like Hookies better than Tiders (and they will lose using Whoolio and others who should not be playing regardless of what the NCAA concluded and/or due to their undesciplined law enforecement violations); (4) Rutgers because their NJ govenorship looks like it will return to the Republican fold soon; and (5) Florida State because Papa Diddy wants to catch up with Papa Joe. Have fun this weekend and watch the first of 11 Auburn games to be televised this season on national tv." -- Big O
"Good, now that the newspaper business has finally imploded, at least in Arkansas, I can start a full-time gig writing snarky blog posts. To the future!" -- Anonymous
"Alabama def. Virginia Tech -- Surely BAMA will wait until later in the season to begin underperforming. Rutgers def. Cincinnati -- never in my life have I seen a bunch of la crosse players play up the way these guys do. Florida State def. Miami -- Bobby Bowden must start making up for those 14 vacated victories if he wants to catch Paterno in the Octo(genarian)gon." -- Glenn B.
"BTW can my team name be: Die HDN!" -- Joe C.
"Oregon’s ugly-ass uniforms on BSU’s hideous blue field. Can this game be any more visually painful? No (unless they were playing Oregon State). Am I going to watch every minute of it? Yes." -- Jeff G.
"SEMINOLE FACT OF THE WEEK: Did you know that Burt Reynolds the actor was a tail back at FSU? (I was a tail back also... every time I got up off the bench the coach would yell for me to get my tail back). His quarterback was none other than.... NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND.... Lee Corso!" -- The Kriz
"Miami will never win again since they moved to the new Orange Bowl.
How long will it take for Michigan football to return? My guess a few more years and another coaching change. And thanks for Ryan Mallett." -- BR
"If I recall, though, I soundly beat you every year in this pool but let's let bygones be bygones." -- Trey to Jerry
"Well, sit down, spin around and spit twice -- a Thursday game and an ACC game. This is cruel to the power of 10." -- Kate D.
"For laughs, check out this article on Mustain: Mitch Mustain has become the invisible man at USC. That's OK by him, as long as he gets a legit shot in the NFL, Mark Kriegel says." -- Ron R.
"I've decided to by and large go against the spread, unless my gut tells me otherwise, for the first month, then back to going with the spread... we'll see how this goes." -- Alejandro O.
"I can't believe I'm going against the SEC....but I'm not feeling it with Georgia and Alabama this week. They both have something to prove on the offensive side of the ball in my opinion. I think Georgia's gonna get blown out and VT will win in a nail biter 10-7." -- Jim D. of hazynation
"Prior to leaving LR to travel to the again beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast to join my '57 classmates as well as others graduating throughout the '50s, I am enclosing this semi-retiree's (a classification you omitted from your initial discourse) selections: (1) Boise State because almost anyone is better than Pac 10 teams, especially in the first games of the year; (2) Georgia because Auburn got OSU's best assistant coaches; (3) Virginia Tech because I like Hookies better than Tiders (and they will lose using Whoolio and others who should not be playing regardless of what the NCAA concluded and/or due to their undesciplined law enforecement violations); (4) Rutgers because their NJ govenorship looks like it will return to the Republican fold soon; and (5) Florida State because Papa Diddy wants to catch up with Papa Joe. Have fun this weekend and watch the first of 11 Auburn games to be televised this season on national tv." -- Big O
"Good, now that the newspaper business has finally imploded, at least in Arkansas, I can start a full-time gig writing snarky blog posts. To the future!" -- Anonymous
"Alabama def. Virginia Tech -- Surely BAMA will wait until later in the season to begin underperforming. Rutgers def. Cincinnati -- never in my life have I seen a bunch of la crosse players play up the way these guys do. Florida State def. Miami -- Bobby Bowden must start making up for those 14 vacated victories if he wants to catch Paterno in the Octo(genarian)gon." -- Glenn B.
"BTW can my team name be: Die HDN!" -- Joe C.
"Oregon’s ugly-ass uniforms on BSU’s hideous blue field. Can this game be any more visually painful? No (unless they were playing Oregon State). Am I going to watch every minute of it? Yes." -- Jeff G.
"SEMINOLE FACT OF THE WEEK: Did you know that Burt Reynolds the actor was a tail back at FSU? (I was a tail back also... every time I got up off the bench the coach would yell for me to get my tail back). His quarterback was none other than.... NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND.... Lee Corso!" -- The Kriz
Chick-fil-A offers free chicken sandwich
for college football fans on Labor Day
Unpaid endorsement: Is there any fast food better than a Chick-fil-A sandwich and fries from the Chick-fil-A on Markham across from Park Plaza? See you there.
Click for more info from Chick-fil-A
Click for more info from Chick-fil-A
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Recession Haiku
I was going to open my haiku by trashing Auburn. Since I heard there
were still spots open on the 18th last week, I had to come up with
something else.
Down economy
Sports is not recession proof
Salary caps next.
were still spots open on the 18th last week, I had to come up with
something else.
Down economy
Sports is not recession proof
Salary caps next.
Preseason Things I Think I Think
First, five things I think I think (with apologies to Peter King) ...
1. The summer of our discontent is over. Football is back!
I'm convinced the angry tea partiers and birthers and death panelers wouldn't have been so upset if football games had been happening. Now that college (and NFL) football is back, I expect the ranting and the raving from white male Southerners to be directed at teenaged boys and overpaid coaches instead of the President.
2. One of those overpaid coaches who will catch nine kinds of Hell this season will be Charlie Weis. Because when a former player is paying for a billboard to protest you, it's not a good sign ...
3. Oklahoma State just can't keep from shooting itself in the foot. (They're the Cowboys, get it?)
First, Mike "I'm a man! I'm 40!" Gundy does his rant a couple of seasons ago. Then this ... the dumbest college "spirit" song you'll hear. Yes, they plan to play this during pregame in Stillwater.
Go here http://www.johnmartinlive.com, click the link to listen.
I'm convinced the songwriter (son of an associate AD, nepotism rules!) did this as a joke, since he's a Baylor graduate. Because coming up with something that sounds like a rejected Big & Rich song or something they'd sing at a Branson show is no way to fire up the crowd.
But don't laugh Arkansas fans. This song is only slightly worse than Hank Jr.'s "Hog Wild" blaring from the speakers.
4. For once, Saban is right.
When asked if the loser of Saturday's Alabama vs. Virginia Tech game is out of the BCS title hunt, Saban said, basically, "No way." And he's correct. The mantra college coaches should take is "Lose early, win late" if you want to play for a national title. Of course, if two or more undefeateds remain this theory is scrapped.
5. Forget Erin Andrews vs. the perv. The best offseason feud was Clay Travis vs. Tim Brando.
In this corner is Travis. Author, spouse of former NFL cheerleader, Tennessee fan, proud beard grower, asker of St. Tebow's virginity at SEC media days. In the other corner is Tim Brando. Radio show yakker, SEC on CBS studio host, on the SEC payroll during basketball season.
First, Brando fires away while on Paul Finebaum's radio show ... http://friendsoftheprogram.net/2009/08/25/tim-brando-thinks-we-are-ruining-america/
And then Travis responds ... http://thegame.podbean.com/2009/08/24/interview-clay-travis-082409/
5. The fight over the SEC media policy is a harbinger of things to come.
Yes, yes, nobody cares about the poor media and our problems. But you should.
By moving to restrict use of video on the Internet to its corporate partner, the SEC is setting the stage for the day when the legacy media is booted entirely from the stadium. Think about it ... if you're trying to monetize every possible aspect of the athletic department, why would you continue to allow the media to cover your games for free?
You can boot the media (by charging a huge press box fee) and then tell your fans to read about the game, see the box score, watch video highlights on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Maybe you set up an iTunes style system where they can watch an entire game online for $5. Or see highlights for 99 cents. Or you do an Insider subscription for expanded coverage provided by sports writers hired away from the crumbling remains of the newspaper industry.
Then you go to advertisers and sell them on it. This is the only place they'll be able to watch video highlights of the game online. This is the only place with a boxscore or postgame interviews. BANG! You've got every business in the state clamoring to put ads on that Web page.
Of course, the dead tree media wouldn't completely give up on coverage. You'd get more features, more analysis, more columns. But you'll still have to go elsewhere (and pay for it) to get the basic game story.
It might not happen within 10 years. But it'll happen within 20.
M8B Prediction
Will Arkansas cover the spread (whatever it is) against Missouri State?
Bonus Question: Will Robert Shields use Saturday's game as an excuse to bring up the GSD?
1. The summer of our discontent is over. Football is back!
I'm convinced the angry tea partiers and birthers and death panelers wouldn't have been so upset if football games had been happening. Now that college (and NFL) football is back, I expect the ranting and the raving from white male Southerners to be directed at teenaged boys and overpaid coaches instead of the President.
2. One of those overpaid coaches who will catch nine kinds of Hell this season will be Charlie Weis. Because when a former player is paying for a billboard to protest you, it's not a good sign ...
3. Oklahoma State just can't keep from shooting itself in the foot. (They're the Cowboys, get it?)
First, Mike "I'm a man! I'm 40!" Gundy does his rant a couple of seasons ago. Then this ... the dumbest college "spirit" song you'll hear. Yes, they plan to play this during pregame in Stillwater.
Go here http://www.johnmartinlive.com, click the link to listen.
I'm convinced the songwriter (son of an associate AD, nepotism rules!) did this as a joke, since he's a Baylor graduate. Because coming up with something that sounds like a rejected Big & Rich song or something they'd sing at a Branson show is no way to fire up the crowd.
But don't laugh Arkansas fans. This song is only slightly worse than Hank Jr.'s "Hog Wild" blaring from the speakers.
4. For once, Saban is right.
When asked if the loser of Saturday's Alabama vs. Virginia Tech game is out of the BCS title hunt, Saban said, basically, "No way." And he's correct. The mantra college coaches should take is "Lose early, win late" if you want to play for a national title. Of course, if two or more undefeateds remain this theory is scrapped.
5. Forget Erin Andrews vs. the perv. The best offseason feud was Clay Travis vs. Tim Brando.
In this corner is Travis. Author, spouse of former NFL cheerleader, Tennessee fan, proud beard grower, asker of St. Tebow's virginity at SEC media days. In the other corner is Tim Brando. Radio show yakker, SEC on CBS studio host, on the SEC payroll during basketball season.
First, Brando fires away while on Paul Finebaum's radio show ... http://friendsoftheprogram.net/2009/08/25/tim-brando-thinks-we-are-ruining-america/
And then Travis responds ... http://thegame.podbean.com/2009/08/24/interview-clay-travis-082409/
5. The fight over the SEC media policy is a harbinger of things to come.
Yes, yes, nobody cares about the poor media and our problems. But you should.
By moving to restrict use of video on the Internet to its corporate partner, the SEC is setting the stage for the day when the legacy media is booted entirely from the stadium. Think about it ... if you're trying to monetize every possible aspect of the athletic department, why would you continue to allow the media to cover your games for free?
You can boot the media (by charging a huge press box fee) and then tell your fans to read about the game, see the box score, watch video highlights on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Maybe you set up an iTunes style system where they can watch an entire game online for $5. Or see highlights for 99 cents. Or you do an Insider subscription for expanded coverage provided by sports writers hired away from the crumbling remains of the newspaper industry.
Then you go to advertisers and sell them on it. This is the only place they'll be able to watch video highlights of the game online. This is the only place with a boxscore or postgame interviews. BANG! You've got every business in the state clamoring to put ads on that Web page.
Of course, the dead tree media wouldn't completely give up on coverage. You'd get more features, more analysis, more columns. But you'll still have to go elsewhere (and pay for it) to get the basic game story.
It might not happen within 10 years. But it'll happen within 20.
M8B Prediction
Will Arkansas cover the spread (whatever it is) against Missouri State?
Bonus Question: Will Robert Shields use Saturday's game as an excuse to bring up the GSD?
This week's games
Never before have so many people asked me what the five games are in the days leading up to Week 1 or seriously told me they are going to win the pool this year. This is probably the best group ever in a pool filled with interesting people, or as one entrant (one of Ramon's teammates on the famed '82 Wabbits dynasty) called the list of invitees, "a 'who's who' of bankers, doctors, lawyers, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, bums, nomads, and more." I'll add reporters, teachers, architects, engineers, health-care peeps, ad wizards, photographers, students, cartoon-voice actors, playground kings, and chicken pluckers. And we've got fans of a long list of colleges from across the country, so between the contest of picking the games and the actual games on the field, this should be an interesting competition.
Now for the games. We've got two with bad blood lingering from close contests last year (what is the Big East game of the year doing in Week 1?) plus two other big-time interconference match-ups. And you know the pool wouldn't be complete without an unpredictable ACC game to close out the first week.
Remember, all correct picks are worth two points unless otherwise noted, you are picking the games straight up without regard to the spread, and the home team is always listed last unless the game is on a neutral field like the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. So for $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, soon to be the pride of your home or office, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 8 p.m. Thursday. (If for some reason you don't get to the Thursday game in time, you can still send in your picks for the rest.)
Thursday Night Throwdown
Oregon - Boise State
9:15 p.m., Thursday, ESPN
Line: Boise State by 4
Georgia - Oklahoma State
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Oklahoma State by 5
* Underdog worth three points
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
Alabama - Virginia Tech
7 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Alabama by 7
* Underdog worth three points
Cincinnati - Rutgers
3 p.m., Monday, ESPN
Line: Rutgers by 5
* Underdog worth three points
The Florida Cup Series
Miami - Florida State
7 p.m., Monday, ESPN
Line: Florida State by 5
* Underdog worth three points
Good luck.
*****#*****
And my non-pool upset special: Take Louisiana Tech and the points against Auburn.
Now for the games. We've got two with bad blood lingering from close contests last year (what is the Big East game of the year doing in Week 1?) plus two other big-time interconference match-ups. And you know the pool wouldn't be complete without an unpredictable ACC game to close out the first week.
Remember, all correct picks are worth two points unless otherwise noted, you are picking the games straight up without regard to the spread, and the home team is always listed last unless the game is on a neutral field like the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. So for $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, soon to be the pride of your home or office, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 8 p.m. Thursday. (If for some reason you don't get to the Thursday game in time, you can still send in your picks for the rest.)
Thursday Night Throwdown
Oregon - Boise State
9:15 p.m., Thursday, ESPN
Line: Boise State by 4
Georgia - Oklahoma State
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Oklahoma State by 5
* Underdog worth three points
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
Alabama - Virginia Tech
7 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Alabama by 7
* Underdog worth three points
Cincinnati - Rutgers
3 p.m., Monday, ESPN
Line: Rutgers by 5
* Underdog worth three points
The Florida Cup Series
Miami - Florida State
7 p.m., Monday, ESPN
Line: Florida State by 5
* Underdog worth three points
Good luck.
*****#*****
And my non-pool upset special: Take Louisiana Tech and the points against Auburn.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Auburn is in "Dyer" need
Auburn fans have made an appearance at the high school kickoff classic in Little Rock on Tuesday night.
Two Auburn fans sported a sign that said "Auburn is in Dyer need"
Elementary school students from Oak Grove (I think) were booing the Auburn fans.
Good times.
This followed a report on the local Fox affiliate that said Dyer had committed to Auburn. Dyer had actually said his No. 1 choice of his top three schools was Auburn, but his top three were still Auburn, Arkansas and Tennessee.
It caused a bit of a panic in the press box as the recruiting guys went into a tizzy.
Best line, "you don't want to be first, you want to be accurate."
Best guess is that Dyer will land at Auburn. Tennessee has Bryce Brown, the No. 1 player of last year's class at running back and Petrino is too proud to kowtow to a high school kid.
Plus it is in Petrino's best interest for Dyer to go to Auburn so when he leaves Fayetteville for the plains in three years, Dyer will be in Petrino's backfield for the Tigers.
Two Auburn fans sported a sign that said "Auburn is in Dyer need"
Elementary school students from Oak Grove (I think) were booing the Auburn fans.
Good times.
This followed a report on the local Fox affiliate that said Dyer had committed to Auburn. Dyer had actually said his No. 1 choice of his top three schools was Auburn, but his top three were still Auburn, Arkansas and Tennessee.
It caused a bit of a panic in the press box as the recruiting guys went into a tizzy.
Best line, "you don't want to be first, you want to be accurate."
Best guess is that Dyer will land at Auburn. Tennessee has Bryce Brown, the No. 1 player of last year's class at running back and Petrino is too proud to kowtow to a high school kid.
Plus it is in Petrino's best interest for Dyer to go to Auburn so when he leaves Fayetteville for the plains in three years, Dyer will be in Petrino's backfield for the Tigers.
Recession Effects on Sports
A lot of people are making cuts in their budgets. It even has an effect on
tailgating. At WMS, the eighteenth green has all reserved spots.
As of last week, there were several still available. Several people have
cut the $150 reserved spot from their budgets. I know someone who
has a reserved spot and bought up both of the spots next to him.
After hearing that, I wonder if people are also cutting season ticket
packages. Either by cutting altogether or buying one game at a time.
We'll see how it all shakes out in the end.
tailgating. At WMS, the eighteenth green has all reserved spots.
As of last week, there were several still available. Several people have
cut the $150 reserved spot from their budgets. I know someone who
has a reserved spot and bought up both of the spots next to him.
After hearing that, I wonder if people are also cutting season ticket
packages. Either by cutting altogether or buying one game at a time.
We'll see how it all shakes out in the end.
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