Finally Friday College Football Weekend Edition

After watching Oregon demolish UCLA 60-13 last night, I guess I'm inclined to say they should be the number team in the nation. They moved the ball on offense with Qb Darron Thomas throwing for 308 yards and 3 scores. Lamicheal James, the nation's leading rusher finished with 123 and 2 scores before leaving with a leg injury. This Ducks are move physical than I thought. They manhandled UCLA on both sides of the ball. I was very disappointed in the Bruins, this is the same team that ran all over Texas but couldn't get anything against the Ducks. The one I feel the worst about is Oregon's mascot the duck. 60 points equals 60 push-ups for him and the way the Ducks are rolling on offense he will probably will have arms as big as this guy: http://www.angelzfunnyz.com/Portals/0/Gallery/Album/8/gross-arms.jpg. Now on to the rest of the college weekend games.

LSU vs. Auburn - Much has been said about the often maligned Les Miles but the mad hatter has a quirky way of winning games. The man is 58-15 with a winning percentage of .792 (Higher than Nick Saban)and regularly subject to rumors of his firing as the head coach. Personally, I like the guy I mean how could you not with quotes like this "Louisiana has a heritage of great players that play their high school football within the boundaries of Louisiana." Now if he could just figure out his QB position because both Jordan Jefferson and Jared Lee have not been able to move the ball. LSU has one of the best defense's in the nation all they need is for the offense to do is be competent, but I don't think they can. Cam Newton and the Tigers will challenge the the Tigers defense in way they haven't seen this year. Patrick Patterson and the Tigers will be game for the challenge but I don't see them stopping the Cam Newton express this week. I do question Newton with these untimely comments he said this week: http://forum.gatorsports.com/viewtopic.php?t=5298&p=78090. The pick: Auburn

Oklahoma vs. Missouri - Oklahoma takes its newly minted number BCS ranking down to Columbia vs an under the radar Tigers team. The Sooners are a very solid team and certainly have earned the number one BCS ranking but I'm not sold on them this year. The inconsistent play of Landry Jones and the way they play down to their opponents are my reasons. I haven't saw much of Missouri to make to many comments on them. I have seen QB Blake Gabbert play before and he is pretty good. I also know that Gary Pinkel likes to toss the skin around in that offense so this should make for a good game. Because I don't know enough about the Tigers I will take Oklahoma.

Wisconsin vs. Iowa - Wisconsin is coming off the programs biggest win in recent years, knocking off previously number one  ranked Ohio State. They did it impressively by using the power run game with John Clay and the occasional change of pace back James White. They now must avoid a let down because the Hawkeyes come to town. An interesting side note to this game is that Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema is an Iowa alum and even has a Hawkeye tattooed on his calf, talk about awkward. Iowa has played well this year and only loss came from Arizona, so they are still on the hunt for the Big Ten title. This game again will come down to the Hawkeyes being able to stop the Badgers power run game. If Wisconsin can control the time of possession and run on Iowa, which I think will happen, than they should win this one.

Game of the Week - LSU vs. Auburn : This game has SEC as well as National Title implications on it. It could also be a showcase game for Cam Newton to further cement his Heisman hunt.

Most intriguing game - Nebraska vs. Oklahoma State - Nebraska is out for blood after losing to rival Texas and Oklahoma State has been better than advertised with emerging deep threat Justin Blackmon.

Under the Radar game - North Carolina vs. Miami (FL) - Both teams still have a shot at the ACC Coastal Division going into this game, and one will not afterwards.

Rivalry Game - Alabama vs. Tennessee - Remember when this game use to matter? The ol' third Saturday in October will be a laugher this time but will always be a classic rivalry game.

Coach better get it right game - Texas Tech vs. Colorado - Tommy Tuberville has been less than stellar this year and was suppose to infuse some defensive toughness to the Red Raiders. So far he hasn't. Its too easy to pick on Colorado coach Dan Hawkins each week and he ends up in this slot seemingly every weekend .

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How Loyal Are You To Your Team?

No question about it, I am a hard core Dallas Cowboy fan. Every since I began watching football on a regular basis, I loved my Cowboys. In the good years when we were a dynasty winning titles in 92,93, and 95 you couldn't tell me nothing about my team. We were on top and I didn't see an end to our reign anytime soon. The boys were prohibited favorites going into the next few season and then cracks in our empire began to show. A freak injury to Micheal Irvin in 1999 and in 2000 Lavar Arrington layed a career ending hit on Troy Aikman. Over the next few years we were in complete disarray. Emmitt Smith went to the Cardinals for a couple of unproductive seasons, (Are you freaking kidding me Emmitt?), we couldn't find a QB to save our life (remember Quincy Carter anyone) and the whole T.O bring your popcorn debacle.From those points until now, my team has struggled. If you had told me we entering the 2000s that we would not make the playoffs until 2003, I would have asked you what are you smoking on. If you had told me we wouldn't get another playoff win until 2009 I would just assumed that you were a Cowboy hater like most people. We have just been dismal here in the recent past but I still roll with Jerry Jones and all the punches involved with rooting for my team.

Going into this season, my boys were the favorite to win our division and a trendy Super Bowl pick. As of this moment we stand at 1-4 tied for last in the division and all I can say is wow. I get it everyday from my friends calling them the Cowgirls and instead of Tony Romo, he now is being called Tony Homo. It never stops and even when I'm at work my fellow co-workers find any way they can to bring up the 1-4 Cowboys. Good thing I can dish it out just as much as I can take it. And I just won't waiver in my faith in my team. A real fan is going to support his or her team no matter what. Every dynasty has to end one day and in those times when everything is going good it easy to be a fan. What I appreciate is the hardcore fans, who even when their team is on the skids they still represent for them. Even if my boys went 1-15 this year, I would be right there saying we will get em next season. Fair weather fans are in abundance these days, not to even mention the bandwagon jumpers. It says something about your character if you stand by your team even if they suck. I know a lot of people who call themselves fans and as soon as their respective team starts to do bad they jump right on to the hot team of the moment. If you do this then I tend not to trust you as a person because your true character shows that you do not have a reinforced base. Your team is your team. You have to stick with them threw thick and thin.

So what are you guys opinion? Do you know any bandwagon jumpers or only fair weathered fans? Are you loyal to your team no matter what? Tell me your stories

Tuesday Musings

So the NFL wants to put the hammer down on those on are doing the hammering all of a sudden. I won't go into all the details like I did on yesterday's post (http://sportaholic2112.blogspot.com/2010/10/and-hits-keep-coming.html) but I guess I can sympathize a small bit seeing as how guys were dropping like flies this weekend but it does seem premature to just all of a sudden make a mid season rule change. Another funny part of the story is that none of the guys: James Harrison, Brandon Merritweather, or Dunta Robinson got suspended. They all were fined but not suspended. That's the way you enforce your rules Goddell, hopefully next time someone actually gets suspended.

MLB Playoffs

What ever happened to that Yankee mystique? The Rangers are just humiliating the Bronx bombers and doing it the way the Yanks usually do with home run bashes. I was under the impression that the game 1 meltdown was going to lead to an inevitability for the Rangers. Lance "Fat Elvis" Berkman even went as far as saying that the bullpen pitchers looked scared, so much for that huh? No doubt the Rangers pitching has been great but I am just as impressed with their hitting. Taking a look at Texas's lineup it shouldn't come as a surprise. Josh Hamilton is a MVP candidate, Vlad Gurrerro is a future HOF, Micheal Young is consistently is the top of league in batting average and Nelson Cruz can hit the ball as far as anyone I've seen. I look for them to make it to the world series with C.J Wilson on the mound. What a story for Nolan Ryan's bankrupt bunch

They do a little pitching in the Bay too - The way the media was all over the newly minted H2O pitching trio of Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt you would have thought it was no chance for the Giants to win the series. What was forgotten is that San Fran has pretty damn good rotation themselves. The likes of Lincecum, Sanchez, Cain, and even rookie Madison Bumgarner has to be as solid as a four man rotation as there is. Lincecum may get all the praise but the other guys have all held their own against a very dangerous Philly line up. And when you add the hot bat of Cody Ross and some timely hitting from the other Giants hitter, you have a team capable of beating anyone. Now Philly has to turn to Joe Blanton ( The last guy they want on the mound) to rescue their season. May be to little to late.

And the hits keep coming

Images like the one above dominated the NFL this past weekend and its not topic that will be going away anytime soon. Just look at all the marquee names of players this year that have suffered at least one concussion, you could almost field a team: Desean Jackson, Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers, Stewart Bradley, Dunta Robinson, David Garrard, Todd Heap, Kevin Kolb and more than I can name. A recent study from CBCsports.com says that 61% of former NFL players have professed to having a concussion in their playing days. That is a staggering amount of concussions and a disturbing trend in the league. Now that players are bigger and faster than ever before, the number will clearly continue to go up. My question is who is to blame or better yet should we be blaming anyone for the hits being delivered on the field?

I know most people love to see the big hit. We all jump on the couch, knock food out of friends hand, and twitter, facebook and text everybody to make sure they saw the punishment that was just delivered on the receiver going over the middle. Its just a part of the game and to me one of the best parts of it. What is crazy about this is how at a young age a football player is told to hit the other player as hard as he can. I can remember playing as a child and my coach telling me I better hit my opponent before he hits me. I also remember other players mothers and fathers screaming and telling us to knock their heads off. So its just built into the culture of football for players to hit first and ask questions later. Football is a contact, collision sport. Players are going to get hurt. The issue is when the players becomes in danger and some of the hits are getting to the point where one these guys could get killed on the field.  Dunta Robinson and Desean Jackson suffered concussions on the same play when Robinson came crashing in to knock the ball out of Jackson's hand. And to me that was a  perfectly legal hit, Robinson lead with his shoulder and not his helmet it was just so vicious that it looked dirty. A lot of people are discussing maybe the helmets need to be changed because of the way they are being used and also commonly being knocked off but I don't buy that argument.

In summarizing, The NFL player is bigger and stronger than ever before and concussions just like every other injury in the league will continue to go up.We can expect a marquee player going down each week with a concussion, it shouldn't even surprise people at this point. We the fans lusting for the big hit and the NFL with its lust for ratings and lucrative money contracts are to blame. The culture of hitting the opponent and hitting him hard has and always will be taught in all levels of football. If we the fans and the NFL are to blame for this, then just who will step and try to curb the physicality?

Finally Friday Edition: M.J for 100, Artest can only count to 2 and Bieber calls out Brady

Here are some stories and articles that have caught my eye:

Micheal Jordan says in today's game he could have scored 100 - http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Jordan-I-could-have-scored-100-points-in-toda;_ylt=AijEWS2EThPxKo4NqiVkyqA5nYcB?urn=nba-277020

Barry Bonds still loves his Giants, and hopefully doesn't give them the kiss of death - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Barry-Bonds-delivers-message-of-support-to-NLCS-;_ylt=AkxhQzv8_YCVJvq8NW2zhhg5nYcB?urn=mlb-276880

Bieber calls out Brady for haircut - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/10/14/bieber.brady.ap/index.html

Only Ron Artest can make this stuff up. Doesn't even have Lebron in his top 3 players - http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5686339

Inez Sainz says she no longer wants to go into the locker room, I wonder why? http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/10/14/sainz.lockerrooms.ap/index.html

College Football Weekend Setup

Week 7 in college football is upon us, and after a topsy turvy week 6 things are getting interesting now. With top ranked Alabama going down, it has opened the door for other teams to get into the national championship. The most benefiting will be the non AQ schools Boise State and TCU. It’s a shame because Bama just had an off day. Even with the lost, if you gave me the Crimson Tide on a neutral field against any team in country, I would still take Bama. And now to the weekend’s best games and upset special’s.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin – This is the game of the year so far in the Big Ten. Ohio State has not been really tested so far this year playing the likes of Marshall, University of Ohio, Eastern Michigan and Illinois. That schedule is not scaring anyone. The Buckeyes do have enough talent to make it to the National Championship but they only will go as far as Terelle Pryor will take them and so far this year that has been a very good place. The Badgers come in to this game knowing that for them to have any shot at the Rose Bowl or better they will have to win this game with the one loss they already have courtesy of Sparty. This will be a slugfest featuring the Badgers power run game led by John Clay vs. the electric Pryor and his plethora of options for the Buckeyes. The Pick: Ohio State



Arkansas vs. Auburn – The SEC showdown of the week features two SEC west teams vying for a claim to the SEC west title. Auburn, the beneficiaries of Bama’s stumble in Columbia, has the inside track to the division. They must first deal with a Razorback team with Ryan Mallet at the helm. He is a proven leader and has to attest the bad performance down the stretch against Alabama wasn’t the best he has to offer. The Tigers have been a pleasant surprise to most and seem to rolling on all cylinders. The play of Cam Newton has brought a sort on energy and swagger to this team. I just don’t see any answers for him in Arkansas’s defense. The Pick: Auburn

Texas vs. Nebraska – It’s hard to get a good read on the Longhorns. One week they are flat getting run over by UCLA and the next week they are playing Oklahoma to the last down. I think this is exactly what they are, an inconsistent team that will have its good and bad games. This is what happens when you don’t have a reliable run game; teams can just worry about your passing. Garrett Gilbert can only be expected to do so much with so little. I don’t see the athletes at Texas that they’ve had in years past. The Huskers will present a big challenge because they run the ball so effectively. Taylor Martinez will run wild on you if you let him and so far every team he has faced has. Martinez also has a better than advertised arm, so if you do go for one of those play-action fakes he will burn you over the top. The Blackshirts of yester year are also back. The defense is loaded and don’t think that Nebraska has forgot what happen last year in the Big 12 championship game. If you don’t believe me just go to there website, they have been waiting on this one since the clock stopped in that game. Bo Pellini will have that motivation for his boys on his side. The Pick: Nebraska



Game of the Week – Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: Can Ohio State beat up on Wisconsin the way it has on all its other opponents?

Most Intriguing game- Iowa vs. Michigan: Can Denard Robinson bounce back from a sub par game and can Iowa avenge its first lost of the season?

Rivalry Game of the week- Cal vs. USC: Who needs this win more Lane Kiffin or Jeff Tedford?

Under the radar game- Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech: Ok State is undefeated but hasn’t really played a good team yet.

Coach better get it right game- North Carolina vs. Virginia: Amid all the allegations involving his program, Butch Davis has a lot of explaining to do but if he wins and continues to win the chatter may simmer down a bit.