Tag: College Football

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All Other Sports

Odds and Ends: Around the Blogosphere


Two great stories in the blogosphere today. The first from There’s Your Karma, Ripe as Peaches: “I couldn’t wrap my brain around the possibility that a person I once revered as more than a man could get in a dancing competition and proceed to out-gay Mario Lopez…”

The second is from Can’t Stop the Bleeding. We don’t know what the story is actually about but he managed to make a reference to Roland Przybylewski AND use the word effect as a verb correctly. Well done, sir.

In other news…

[CNN Money]: Why I hate Monday Night Football

[ESPN]: Here’s an idea – how about Bonds just leaves baseball period?

[USA Today]: Average college coaches salary up to $950k a year

[ESPN]: LPGA to start drug testing… cause you know, everyone was so up in arms about steroids in womens golf

[The Offside]: The High Cost of being a WAG

[Awful Announcing]: Dissecting Jemele Hill’s first ESPN Page 2 Column

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College Football

Odds and Ends: A vote for Ohio State


Are you having trouble deciding who to root for in the uber-hyped Game of the Century between Ohio State and Michigan this weekend? Well, maybe this will sway you in the direction of the Buckeyes.


Steve Snapp, associate athletics director for communications, turned down a ticket request from the band Nickelback.

“I told them, `Not that I don’t appreciate your music, but even if you were John Lennon and calling for four for the original Beatles, I couldn’t do it,'” Snapp said.

Actually, Nickelback, if it was anyone but you guys, he would have found some tickets. He simply has enough good taste to not allow the worst rock band in the history of the world to be in the stadium and mar such an exciting event. (Thanks to The Hater Nation)

In other news…

[Inside Bay Area]: Art Shell ponders, “Is Prozac in the substance abuse policy?”

[Yahoo]: Patriots pay 51 cents for the rights to Vinny Testeverde

[NY Post]: Is backing from Isiah Thomas a good or bad thing?

[Off Wing Opinion]: The Fighting Sioux At UND Fight On

[Can’t Stop the Bleeding]: The CFL’s Anti-Pinball Bias, Explored

And finally… not exactly sports related but a drunken elk is funny.

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College Football

Nov 14 in Sports History: Marshall football tragedy


In 1970: Returning from a game against East Carolina, 37 members of the Marshall football team, coaches and boosters were killed in a plane crash two miles outside of the Tri-State Airport in Huntington, WV. 75 people died in the Southern Airlines crash, of which the cause was never officially determined. The team was reformed for the 1971 season, and over the last decade has been re-born as a powerhouse in college football. A movie about the crash and the aftermath called “We Are Marshall” is set to be released on December 22. Check out bsd’s story on a touching tribute by East Carolina University.

In 1993: Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula became the winningest coach in NFL history with his 325th career victory, a 19-14 win in Philadelphia. Shula coached 33 seasons with the Baltimore Colts and Dolphins and compiled a 347-173-6 record (including playoffs) with two Super Bowl titles (including a perfect 17-0 season in 1972). He retired after the 1995 season (in which a Shula-coached team made the playoffs for the 20th time) and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

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College Football

Nov 13 in Sports History: College Football’s Game of the Century


In 1993: In a college football “Game of the Century” that actually lived up to the hype, no. 2 Notre Dame defeated top-ranked Florida State 31-24 in South Bend. The Irish dominated the Seminoles on the ground, racking up 239 yards rushing with Adrian Jarrell and Lee Becton leading the way to a 31-17 fourth quarter lead. Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward rallied the Seminoles to within seven and drove to the Notre Dame 15 in the final seconds, but a fourth down desperation passed was batted away at the goal line, sealing the win for Notre Dame and touching off a wild celebration. It was the eighth time Notre Dame defeated an opponent ranked first in the country. Florida State won the war, however, and ended up claiming the national championship after Notre Dame was upset by Boston College the following week. (nd.cstv.com)

(Here’s video of the final play.)

In 1995: Dan Marino became the NFL’s all-time leading passer with 47,003 yards, passing Fran Tarkenton in a 34-17 home loss to the New England Patriots. Marino would go on to break just about every significant passing record in the NFL, including over 60,000 yards, 420 touchdowns, most 3,000-plus yard seasons (13) and most seasons throwing for 4,000-plus yards (six). He also broke the record for most career 300-yard passing games (51) against the Patriots (he ended up with 63). (miamidolphins.com/history)

In 1993: On the same night Notre Dame and Florida State were writing their names in the history books for greatness, the Dallas Mavericks were writing their own story of ineptitude. The (very) pre-Cuban Mavs dropped a tight game to the Jazz 101-100. Dallas would not win again until two days before Christmas, dropping 20 in a row. Right after that win against Minnesota, the Mavs suffered 16 straight letdowns, resulting in 36 losses in 37 games. After a 6-7 stretch, they proceeded to drop another 17 straight games. At 9-66, they flirted with the 1973 Philadelphia Sixers as the worst-ever team, but they “rebounded” to win four of their last seven to end up 13-69. Funny thing was, it was an actual improvement over their 1992-1993 season, when they won a whopping 11 games. (basketball-reference.com)

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Detroit Red Wings

Nov 10 in Sports History: Hockey’s Ironman

In 1962: If baseball has Cal Ripken and football has Brett Favre, then hockey has Glenn Hall as its resident Iron Man. The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender holds the NHL record for playing 502 straight games in goal (not counting 50 in the playoffs). During the seven seasons where he didn’t miss a game, he was named an All Star five times and helped Chicago win the Stanley Cup in 1961. Amazingly, he played every single game during the streak without a mask, made more dangerous as he was not strictly a stand-up goalie. Hall was one of the innovators of the “butterfly” style of goaltending in which the goalie flops to the ice to cover the ground with his pads (he estimated had needed over 300 stitches throughout his career). More amazingly, Hall admittedly threw up due to nervousness before every single game, and former teammates joked that his bucket should be in the Hall of Fame as well. Sadly, however, the streak ended with a Sammy Sosa-esque moment in which Hall injured his back while tying a strap right before playing in his 503rd game. (legendsofhockey.net)

In 1990: The Phoenix Suns shattered an NBA record by scoring 107 points in the first half. The Suns jumped out to a 107-70 lead over the Denver Nuggets and won 173-143. The victory also set an NBA record for most points scored in a non-overtime game. Phoenix rookie Cedric Ceballos scored a team-high 32 points off the bench, including 20 in a span of five minutes in the second quarter. The win was also the 700th of Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons’ career.

In 1945: Led by the tandem of Doc Blanchard and Junior Davis, top-ranked Army crushed no. 2 Notre Dame 48-0 at Yankee Stadium. Army’s 1945 team is considered one of the greatest in college football history. Not only did they defeat the Irish, they also beat Navy, who moved into the no. 2 spot after Notre Dame, marking the only time in college football where two games featuring the top-ranked teams were played in the same season (excluding bowl games).

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College Football

Tidbits From The Tailgate: The Case For Rutgers

I have heard a lot of talk about Rutgers not having a chance at getting into a BCS Title game and I think that is complete horsesh*t.  Here are four reasons why Rutgers should be involved.

1.  The Second Half Of Thursday Night’s Game

If Louisville’s offense is the second best in the country then Rutgers defense has to be considered an elite unit.  They bottled up the Cardinals in the second half of that game.  Under 100 yards of offense.  It was more than just that though.  They were in Brian Brohm’s kitchen on every single play.  Brohm didn’t look like a guy who is going to play on Sunday last night.  He looked scared and it was for good reason as he was taking a lick on every single play.

2.  They didn’t make up the schedule or the rules

All Rutgers can do is win the games that are their slate.  They have done that.  In their defense, I am sure when they scheduled North Carolina and Illinois in the nonconference that they expected them to be better than what they were.  If Louisville was considered a BCS Title Game contender then Rutgers deserves the same consideration.  

3.  Greg Schiano might be the biggest up and coming name in college football

After last night’s victory I can already see the Athletic Director at the University of Miami putting together their offer letter.  The way Rutgers plays football is a reflection of their coach.  They line up, they run the football and they play defense.  Doing those things might not be pretty, but they win football games.  I think Schiano is one of those coaches that if you give him two weeks to prepare, he will come up with a way to beat you.

4.  It’s always more compelling if a Cinderella is involved

Let’s face it.  What would bring in bigger ratings.  Ohio State versus Florida or Texas OR Ohio State versus Rutgers.  Option 2 gives you the NCAA Tournament style David versus Goliath matchup.  It would be like when George Mason made the Final Four.

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All Other Sports

Odds and Ends: Karma rears its beautiful head


OK, this is the last mention of politics for a long long time, we promise. Representative Jim Leach of Iowa (aka “The Man Who Hated Fun”), sponsor of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, was voted out of office yesterday. The anti-gambling act was added onto a bill that was supposed to improve port security and signed into law by President Bush recently. Seriously, if we can’t bet on the Raiders to not score a point on Monday Night Football, then what is the point of watching that game? Screw you, Jim Leach.

In other news…

[SignOnSanDiego]: Two students named Sudeep Paul and Anand Durvasula were arrested for breaking into Heinz Field on suspicion of terrorism… turns out they were making a music video.

[NY Post]: Doc Gooden set to leave prison. Maybe he can participate in MLB’s “Take a convict to school day promotion

[Tiger Woods]: Tiger Woods is boring on his blog too

[Basketbawful]: What are Jerry Buss, Snoop Dog, Paris Hilton and Paul Abdul doing together?

[USA Today]: Miami lineman Pata’s death ruled a homicide

[Miami Herald]: Not so fast, Ricky. Miami still owns your ass.

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College Football

Are the Volunteers the Bengals’ farm team?



Holbert’s mug shot team photo

Three players from the University of Tennessee were arrested early Sunday morning for disoderly conduct, underaged alcohol consumption and public intoxication. According to police, Arian Foster, David Holbert, and Antonio Wardlow were at a club called Goodfellas when fights broke out. Police arrived and managed to stop a few of the fights but the three Vols kept on fighting in separate altercations and they were arrested.

Because head coach Phillip Fulmer instituted a zero-tolerance policy this offseason, expect all three to be kicked off the team. That’s a total of 8 players arrested or kicked off the team for disciplinary measures. This puts them in elite, pro league territory with the Cincinnati Bengals. Holbert and Wardlow are reserves but Foster has a starting FB position. Somewhere in Cinci, Jeremi Johnson is worried about next year’s draft.

Links:
[Tennessean.com]: Status for arrested Vols under review

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College Football

Tidbits From The Tailgate: Louisville’s Dreams Will Die On The New Jersey Turnpike

Underwhelmed.

That is the word I would use to describe the Louisville-West Virginia game last night. The two teams might as well have been playing flag football out there as the two defenses were just awful.  Not only do I not think Louisville deserves to go over a one-loss Florida or Auburn……..I would add that I think Texas, Notre Dame, and USC are all also superior to the Cardinals.

Louisville’s chances of beating The Ohio State University for the national title are roughly the same that Michael Spinks had against Mike Tyson or Alabama State had in the NCAA Tourney against Duke or even Trevor R. Freeman esq. currently has of bedding down Kirsten Dunst.  Don’t give me that Brian Brohm gives them a puncher’s chance talk.  That defense would have problems stopping Ohio University let alone Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and the rest of the Buckeye assault.  

Luckily for us……….Louisville is going down next Thursday in Piscataway, New Jersey to the Cinderella of College Football.  While West Virginia was Louisville’s toughest hurdle, I submit to you that Rutgers will be the one that they trip on.  The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers are going to line up and they are going to run the football and control the time of possession.  Their defense is a poor man’s version of Greg Schiano’s old Miami Hurricane defenses and they will make Brian Brohm uncomfortable which he wasn’t at all on Thursday night in Louisville.  

Next Thursday is the biggest game in Rutgers history and they will play like it.  Big-Time College Football excitement will officially hit the New York Metropolitan area as there will be Glory Days in New Jersey.  The goal posts will come down in a Rutgers 24-21 upset.  

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College Football

Now we make sexytime?

Sorry folks, it’s an abbreviated Friday as we’re headed to see the Borat movie. And if you don’t know what the Borat movie is, just go see it. (It might be better without the hype.) If you don’t laugh your ass off, we don’t want you back here anymore.

Meanwhile, check out this very cool time lapse photography of the Louisville – West Virginia game from last night.