Sportaholic Radio Show 8-15-12

Join us on “The Sportaholic Sports Show” this Wednesday from 5-7 PM as we chronicle the rise and fall of Chad Johnson and his short lived Miami Dolphin career. We ask the obvious question of why would he keep the receipts of his condom purchases in the first place?

We also talk the big 4 team trade that landed Dwight Howard to the LA Lakers and how this trade not only makes LA title favorites but also how it changes the landscape of the entire league.

Of course we also hit on the end of the 2012 Olympics and ask who had the best and worst moments of the London games. Did you even pay attention to last days of events? What about Tyrann Matthieu and where does the Honey Badger go from here?

All this and more as we welcome Jr. the Bossman in as special co-host along with our guests Jimmy Morris form MusicCityMiracles.Com talks all things Titans as we review their first pre-season game against the Seattle Seahawks and what to expect in their next as Jake Locker gets the start versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Corey Parson producer of Rotowire Fantasy Football Today on SirusXM Radio. He gives us the lowdown on who’s hot and who’s not for the 2012 NFL season of fantasy football.

So you don’t want to miss this show from 5-7 PM CST on 107.1 WRFN Radio Free Nashville locally and www.radiofreenashville.org to stream online. If you miss out we may head butt you like Chad… oh never mind. If you miss the show, you can always catch the podcast on www.SportaholicRadioShow.com 

Sportaholic SEC Game Of The Week: LSU vs. Arkanasas

LSU vs. Arkansas Preview: MAN!!!! This season LSU has been in key games just about all year. This one definitely has major implications with the SEC WEST CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE LINE. This rivalry has been called the “Battle for the Boot” (because of the shape of the two states makes a boot apperance). These two teams started playing each other 1901 but it intensified when Arkansas entered the SEC in 1992. LSU leads the series 34-20, but Arkansas has won 3 of the last 4 meetings between the two.

This game has had its historic moments like for example the 1947 Cotton Bowl which is also referred to as the “ Ice Bowl” because of the ice, sleet, snow, rain, and sub-20 degree (Fahrenheit) weather which produced horrid playing conditions (it got so cold the teams burned their benches to stay warm on the sidelines). They battled to a 0-0 tie. In 1966 the Razorbacks came into Dallas playing the Tigers in the Cotton Bowl the Razorbacks were riding a 22 game winning streak and won the previous Southwest Conference and National Titles. LSU ENDED UP WINNING 14-7 snapping the Razorbacks win streak. In 2002 “The Miracle on Markham” (Markham is the main street that runs by War Memorial Stadium).Trailing 20-14 to LSU. Matt Jones passed for a 31-yd strike with 9 seconds left to DeCori Birmingham who leaped over LSU defensive back Randall Gay. Coming into the November 23, 2007 game which was played in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LSU was ranked number one in the country in the BCS, and most major polls. The Razorbacks outlasted the Tigers in a grueling three overtime game to win the game in which star running back Darren McFadden rushed for 206 yards, three touchdowns, and threw for one touchdown to lift Arkansas to a 50-48 victory. The "Wild Hog" formation (Arkansas' name for the Wildcat offense) was run prominently in the game, led by McFadden, in which he was a triple threat to run, hand off, or throw.

In 2008, Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver London Crawford on a fourth-down (with one yard to go) situation with only 22 seconds remaining on the game clock to give the Razorbacks a 31-30 victory over the Tigers at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Ironically, Crawford caught it in the same corner in the same end zone Decori Birmigham had scored the game winner six years earlier against LSU. The Razorbacks had trailed by a score of 30-14 early in the third quarter when Casey replaced his younger brother, Nathan at quarterback; LSU incurred several penalties which aided Arkansas in their comeback ending on the winning drive which included converting twice on fourth down. In a near top-ten battle in War Memorial Stadium, Arkansas retrieved the Golden Boot from the Tigers with a 31-23 season-defining victory. The Razorbacks’ offense recorded 464 total yards of offense against the Tigers, who had the top-ranked defense in the SEC entering the contest Arkansas’s sophomore running back Knile Davis rushed for 152 yards, including nine straight rushes on the final Arkansas drive, and Ryan Mallet broke the school record of 60 career touchdown passes in the contest.. Arkansas and LSU both closed the regular season with a record of 10-2, with Arkansas finishing second in the SEC Western Division behind Auburn, allowing the Razorbacks to earn a berth in the 2011 Sugar Bowl. With the history laid out lets go to the preview.

Offense vs. Offense: Both offense’s were clicking last weekend (Arkansas with a 44-17 beating of MSU and LSUs 52-3 humiliation of Ole Miss (could have been 59-3 but Miles felt bad for the Rebels). Tyler Wilson is picking up where Ryan Mallett off with an eye popping 3215 yds and 21 touchdowns and has a talented wide receiving corps of Jarius Wright with a 1000 yds and Joe Adams with 500 yds look to challenge the LSU secondary. The Razorback rushing attack is led by Dennis Johnson 606 yds Ronnie Wingo Jr. 424 yds (there has been a Kniles Davis sighting on Arkansas’s sideline who had a knee injury during the off season which has kept him out of most of the year, but whether if he going to see playing time is a mystery) look to pressure the LSU defensive line. LSU will counter with its dual QB treat in Jarrett Lee as a passing treat and Jordan Jefferson as option threat plus with its 4 deep running back corps in Michael Ford, Spencer Ware, Kenny Hilliard, and Alfred Blue and its talented WRs in Russell Shepard Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randell. The WR corp. and passing attack must play a bigger part in the offense in the match-up to counter Arkansas’s offensive attack- DRAW

Defense vs. Defense: Now this is where it gets good, the last time Arkansas O-line faced a defense like this it was Alabama and they lost so I expect them to make adjustments and LSUs secondary which is 3rd in the SEC with 15 will face its second test in Mr. Wilson so the Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu) and his secondary teammates must play lights out and put pressure on the WRs. LSUs D-line must put pressure on the QB which has 27 sacks on the year and the improving LSU LB corp. must play solid like they did against Alabama’s running game. LSUs offensive line must be aware of Jake Bequette (he has 8 QB sacks on the year) and QB and WRs must be aware of Tramain Thomas with his 4 picks, but I’m giving the slight Edge to LSU

Intangibles: This series has gone back and forth. With the SEC West Championship on the line, it’s the day after Thanksgiving, it’s for the Golden Boot, and last Sunday Arkansas Red shirt freshman Tight-End Garrett Uekmen was found dead in his dorm room this is going to be a very emotional Arkansas team, Its LSUs SENIOR DAY and these guys will not want to lose their last game in Tiger Stadium, and with so much on the line both teams will play inspired ball. With both sides having something to prove and to gain. Field Goals, Kick Returns, Discipline football, turnovers, and of course 4th down conversions will make this game key. Plus the added fact the game is in Tiger Stadium the edge will go to LSU

Winner and why – Well I’m predicting that this is going to be record in attendance in Tiger Stadium the match-up. Both teams will come out fighting with emotions running high, each team will leave it on the line. Its going to be a close game but this season the Tigers have answered every challenge, been focused, and has bought into Les Miles philosophy “ No One Is Bigger Than The Team”, to be honestly that’s how championships are won not just one player but players who step up and lead and LSU has those. LSU will be eating Pork Chops, Bacon, and Ham - Final score LSU 35-21

LSU vs. Ole MISS Preview:

By Taylor Cannon

Magnolia flower

One the best rivalries in the South comes to a head in Oxford, Mississippi when the TOP RANKED RED HOT LSU TIGERS take on the woeful Ole Miss rebel (Or after the name change last year the Black Bears whatever) in the 100th meeting of the two teams. This game has special meaning to me, because this was my FIRST LSU football I saw live at Tiger Stadium (still to this day has to be one of my favorite venues to watch and experience a football game) it was in 1993 (which was the 100 year anniversary of LSU Football) my dad, sister and me watched the game (I can’t remember the score, but I remember two things it was cold and we won), plus when my dad went to school at LSU during the late 60s and early 70s, LSU told its African-American students not to attend the game because of the racial tension at the time. This rivalry is now known as the Magnolia Bowl (because the Magnolia is the state flower of both states).

LSU leads the series 56-39-4 and this series has had its notable games from the Halloween Night game in 1959 where Ole Miss was leading 3-0 and LSUs Billy Cannon (no relation) returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown which turned out to be the game winner and gave Cannon the Heisman trophy. To the 1960 game where both teams were tied and was Ole Miss’s only blemish on route the 1960 national championship. In 1972 the Jones to Davis where LSUs Bert “the Ruston Rifle” Jones found Brad Davis for the last second game winning TD with one second remaining. In fact the “home-clock advantage inspired a sign at the Louisiana state line reading “You are now entering Louisiana. Set your clocks back four seconds”. To a heart-warming 1989 game where Ole Miss was playing its first game and it was at home since the pharyalis of its linebacker Chuckie Mullins. The Rebel fans were emotionally charged as they saw their team come from 21 points only to come up short against the Tigers.

The 1997 match up where Ole Miss upset then ranked #7 LSU coming off a win over Florida. To the 2003 when Ole Miss led by Eli Manning was undefeated in the conference and had to battle LSU who had one loss and the winner was to represent the West in SEC Championship. If Ole Miss won they would win the West outright, but if LSU won the two would be co-champions, but LSU would win the tie breaker. LSU WON before a record crowd to EVER WATCH A FOOTBALL IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. It was a puzzling way to end and lose the game as LSU was down 25-23 with 9 seconds completes a 40 yard pass on a 4th and 26, but with no timeouts and no time to execute a play the kneel the ball preserving the Ole Miss win. So with this rivalry history laid out lets go to the preview.

Offense vs. Offense: What does that North Mississippi High School (Ole Miss) have on offense when you’re ranked next to last in the SEC in Offense, you get blown out by LA TECH, your starting QB Randall Mackey made a comment about Bama being beatable then your squad only putting up 7 against them and now recently its leading rusher in Jeff Scott and Mr. Mackey will be suspended for the game (and possibly against their season finale game against MSU). Here comes LSU with dual threat QBs Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee, quad running backs in Kenny Hilliard, Alfred Blue, Michael Ford, and Spencer Ware and receivers Russell Shepard, Odell Beckham Jr., and Rueben Randle (While we’re at it, Special Team Hit-Man and Freshman Receiver Jarvis Landry might see some playing time). LSU is going to go wild tonight and it will be a long night also for that North Mississippi High School D Edge LSU

Defense vs. Defense  - LSUs physical secondary led by Tyrann “The Honey Badger” Mathieu, Morris Claiborne, Eric Reid, Ron Brooks and Tharold Simon look to put down the already pathetic Ole Miss receivers and bring some Louisiana heat to the Quarterback and Running Backs of North Mississippi High. Sam Montgomery, Ryan Baker, and Keith Hatcher looks to make whoever the Black Bears QB is suffer. This 3rd ranked defense in the NCAA looks to sharpen its skills even more before its day after clash before they face the Razorbacks of Arkansas. Edge LSU

Intangibles - Lame duck Coach Houston Nutt will be coaching his next to last game as a Ole Miss Rebel/Black Bear with opening season losses to Jacksonville State in 2010, losing to BYU and getting shellacked by Vandy, UK, and WAC opponent for homecoming LOUISIANA TECH 27-7 in 2011, and with a 150 million dollar athletic expansion in the works things had to change, but has had a knack of getting under LSU’S skin and Its being played at Vaught- Hemmingway Stadium on the campus of Ole Miss where its home to “The Grove” – supposedly the best place to tailgate (If it is its about the only thing that Ole Miss is doing well this year, because they are definitely aren’t playing football down there) and its Ole Miss’s SENIOR DAY. LSU has been playing lights out, and taking to heart what Miles has said “Bringing the WOOD” and they are just finding ways to win which is to just flat out be focused, play mistake free ball, and most of all STEP UP when the pressure is on and when you can do those things YOU JUST CAN’T BE JUST STOPPED BUT CAN’T BE BEAT. – Edge-LSU

Winner and why – Ole Miss has just looked awful this year from on the field as well as off, even their heart has been held in to question as early as last week the coaching staff was seen packing up their stuff (Heartless and no PRIDE) personally this couldn’t have happened to a more deserving team. To reference an old Dave Chappelle bit LSU IS GOIN BUCK YA GROVE – OLE MISS and do a ‘what did the five fingers say the face- SLAP”!!! to Ole Miss (its going be COOLLDDD BLOOOODED). So you take that attitude which I mentioned earlier Ole Miss has, plus bring in a physical LSU team this will be a flat out blow out. LSU IS GOING TO BRING DA WOOD AND THEN SOME. I am going to enjoy this beat down very thoroughly. LSU 52-10

Sportaholic SEC Game Of The Week: LSU vs. Auburn

LSU vs. Auburn preview:

One of most underrated rivaries of the week happens to come to Death Valley as LSU continues its quest for its 3rd BCS title as they face the Tigers or War Eagles (whatever they want to be called) of Auburn. LSU defense looks for payback from last year when Cam Newton ran over them and beat them 31-24 This rivalry is probably the most intense from the 1988 “Earthquake Game”, where Auburn was number #4 in the nation and they rode into “ Death Valley” and with 1:47 left to play LSUs Tommy Hodson found TE Eddie Fuller on a cross pattern for a TD to win the game 7-6, and the crowd eruption was so intense that it registered as an earthquake on the seismograph located in LSU’s Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex. In 1994 Jamie Howard blowing a 23-9 LSU lead in the 4th quarter by throwing 5 fourth quarter interceptions with 3 for Tds ( which still to this day makes me sick to my stomach) , to 1999 when Auburn beat LSU 41-9 and then Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville on his birthday after the Auburn win lit cigars and stomped them on the “Tiger Eye” ( Auburn has not won in the valley since), to 2001 when LSU beat Auburn on December 1 (it was scheduled for Sept 15th but because of the 9/11 attacks it was postponed) and the 2007 game when LSUs Demetrius Byrd catches the game winning td with one second remaining. On Wednesday starters Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware, and another starter were suspended for the game because of failing a drug test and Auburn starting sophomore Clint Moseley this look to be another exciting chapter to the series.

Clint Mosely

Offense vs. Offense: Auburn will have services of soph. Qb Clint Mosely making his first SEC start in Tiger Stadium; he has to rely on RB Micheal Dyer and his offensive line to give him time. The LSU offense has been getting some life as of late with Jordan Jefferson playing, Jarrett Lee improving as QB, and Miles showing no fear in going for it on 4th down again. Even with LSU missing Spencer Ware it still has Alfred Blue and Michael Ford running the ball can wear down Auburn’s defense and then open up the passing game with Russell Sheppard and emerging star Odell Blackmon can put up an offensive explosion in Death Valley –Edge LSU

Defense vs. Defense LSU once again, but has to be aware of Mosley, he is a gunslinger so is not afraid to throw the ball and without Mathieu he will take advantage of it. Sam Washington and the D look to bring the heat to Mosley all night and have to and Morris Claiborne has to step up and be a leader on this LSU secondary. Auburn’s talented DE Corey Lemonier is a beast with 5 sacks and 7 tackles proves to be someone the LSU offensive line might want to key on all night... - Edge LSU

Intangibles- LSU has won big games at home but has to stay focused with Mathieu and Ware out and Bama looming Les Miles has to be the pillar of strength- Edge LSU

Winner and why- LSU has gotten better every game offensively and defensively, but the main thing LSU hasn’t made dumb mistakes, hasn’t “given up “the big play”, stayed healthy, and remained focused. They will have to be focused and prepared because the War Eagles are getting better and ready to make a statement. LSU is going have a fight, and it’s a rivalry game, Auburn will play hard, but LSU will pull it out. Score LSU 35 – Auburn 24

LSU vs. Florida Preview

LSU vs. Florida preview by Taylor Cannon:

One of the best games of the week happens to come to Death Valley as LSU continues its quest for its 3rd BCS title as they face the Gators of Florida. The Gators are coming off a devastating loss to Alabama and losing starting QB John Brantley. LSU on the other hand had its way with Kentucky. Two ranked teams with vastly different outcomes from last game will clash in another good SEC battle.

Offense vs. Offense: Even though the Gators are missing Brantley, they will try to run the pro style offence with Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, but these two haven’t seen the speed of LSU defensive ends. LSU offense got some more life with Jordan Jefferson coming back which may be key even if LSU doesn’t score just having long drives with Alfred Blue, Spencer Ware, and Michael Ford wearing down Florida’s D can B just as devastating – Edge LSU

Defense vs. Defense LSU once again but UF is no pushover either, but Sam Washington on the DE and Kirk Herbstreit’s Heisman trophy candidate in Tyrann Mathieu at DB LSU’S Defense is going to put pressure on Florida’s inexperienced Qb- Edge LSU

Intangibles - LSU Death Valley enough said - Edge: LSU

Winner and why-UF is going to be in for a looong day if LSU plays like it has been for the first 5 games and worse the offense may open up with Jefferson back and the LSU D will put some heavy pressure on UF Qb, but in the end Les Miles will be wearing a gator belt and some purple and gold now or later gators boots. Final Score- LSU 31- Gators 17

LSU vs. Mississippi State Preview

           VS.

LSU vs. Miss State preview:

One of the best games of the week happens to come early as LSU goes to Starkville to face the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are coming off a devastating loss to Auburn after QB Chris Reif was stopped on the half yard line against the Tigers. LSU on the other hand had its way with Northwestern St and barely broke a sweat. Two ranked teams with vastly different outcomes from last game will clash in another good SEC West battle. Our LSU and Mississippi State expert Taylor Cannon has the breakdown for Thursday’s Tilt.

Offense vs. Offense: Edge Miss. State: Vick Ballard is probably one of the best RBs in the SEC (if not the nation) With Chad Bumpus as WR and Chris Reif at QB MSU has the weapons, but with a banged up O-line facing an aggressive front 5 might have more than what they bargained for. As for LSU a steady Jarrett Lee with a three head beast at RB (Alfred Blue, Michael Ford, and Spencer Ware) may give State D-line fits and if Rueben Randle gets touches it could be a long day for the State secondary as well. Edge LSU

Defense vs. Defense Edge LSU (but MSU is no Slouch either) - if LSUs front 5 can take advantage of an injured State line and LSUs physical secondary can clamp down on States WRs then LSU will have the advantage. MSUs secondary is good as well and could be waiting to jump on one of Lee’s passes

Special Teams vs Special Teams: Edge LSU: Hmm.... LSU proved it can block punts which put pressure on the kicker (see Oregon game which the block punt by Tyrann Mathieu proved key). So LSU

Intangibles: Edge LSU: State has the home field and the cowbells, but if there is any team that is prepared for tough environments and can coach in rough environments are LSU and Les Miles.

Winner: LSU: Too good on both sides and disciplined but it will be close. 35 -21