Bobby Bowden Gets Owned By University Of Miami Fan
WTF!
First let me say that it’s good to see the former Florida State great Bobby Bowden out shopping at a normal folk store like CVS. Second the University of Miami Hurricane fans haves some balls.
If you remember back on February 17, we brought you former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow getting owned by a female Hurricane fan and now they staking claim on Florida State icons.
Can you image the balls to stop what your doing at your CVS job to ask Bowden, who’s stopping in just to get a refill on his blood pressure medication, for a picture. Then you walk to someone else in the store whether it be an employee or customer and ask them to stop what they are doing like shopping or working to take the photo and right before cheese, you flash the U on the icon. WTF! Really?
Why even waste Tebow or Bowden’s time? So you can flip out your phone and show your friends and family that you sneaked attacked them, like the Japanese did Pearl Harbor. What to soon?
WTF: University Of Tennessee
I'd Buy One Though
Isn’t time to get over it, I mean hell you already have a new coach in place with Derek Dooley and it’s not like University of Southern California is even on the schedule.
The Official Song Of The John Wall Dance
It’s definitely Friday because that’s gotta explain why I’m helping kill hip hop by posting this stupid video by Raleigh, North Carolina artist Cash. The problem with these dance video songs is that they get played out so quick. Quicker than it takes me to eat a piece of cake. Are you still doing the Ricky Bobby, no. How about the Stanky Leg, not unless your name is Bobby Hebert. Halle Berry ain’t even doing the Halle Berry anymore.
There corny and won’t go away. But I’ll tell you who will be going away and that’s Cash, just like those Ed Hardy tees. The both will be played out and a thing of the past by end of 2010.
WTF: Douchebag
LOSER!!!
Some fan thought he should show his love for the former Florida Gator quarterback and get Tim Tebow’s last name tattoo on his back and that’s what I call a real loser. Just put his balls in your mouth while your at it.
Former San Antonio Spurs Dwayne Schintzius Battling Leukemia
Mullet Hall Of Fame
Former NBA and Florida All-America center Dwayne Schintzius is undergoing treatment in Tampa as part of a months-long battle with leukemia. Schintzius, 41, had a bone marrow transplant about three weeks ago with marrow donated from his brother, Travis. But his condition apparently has not significantly improved.
Calls to the Schintzius family home in Brandon and his hospital room at Moffitt were unanswered.
The 7-foot-1 Schintzius played for the Gators from 1987-90, starting all 110 games he played in, averaging 14.8 points. In 1989, he was an Associated Press and Sporting News All-American and earned first-team All-SEC honors when he led the Gators in scoring (18) and rebounding (9.7). He is the only player in SEC history with more than 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists and 250 blocks. He holds the UF record for blocks.
He was a member of Florida’s first SEC championship team (1988-89), and was a first-round draft choice of the San Antonio Spurs with the 24th overall pick. He played for six teams in his eight-year NBA career.
My favorite Schintizius story is when some Little Tommy asked him how the weather was up there and he spit on Little Tommy and told him it was raining.
Ole Miss Students To Vote On Admiral Ackbar Being New Mascot
Light Years Ahead Of The Rest
The University of Mississippi has taken fire over the year about its school song and school mascot. The university has gone through measures of correcting its wrong and tried to get up to date on times but this week Ole Miss might be traveling into the future if students have their say.
The students of Ole Miss will vote on a new mascot and a clear consensus is forming around an early leader Admiral Ackbar. The commander of the Rebel Alliance Fleet in the Star Wars universe. Admiral Ackbar comes with a back story that
“Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Admiral Ackbar received a deep space transmission of SEC coverage. He found that he couldn’t stop watching everything from Football to Volleyball. One team stood out to him, the Ole Miss Rebels. He lead the Galactic Rebellion, and he knew he needed to be with the Ole Miss Rebels. And so, he started the long trek to Oxford, MS.”
You can follow the “Ackbar for Ole Miss” campaign on Twitter or join the Facebook page.
Never Leave You Like Kiffin
University of Tennessee basketball player Renaldo Woolridge has decided to let all his college groupies know that he would never commit the ultimate sin in Volunteer land and leave her like former coach Lane Kiffin did the football program and the university.
Woolridge is in it for the long haul.
***UPDATE*** Just received a text from Rudy J telling this is the street anthem of 2010 and he can’t remove the repeat button on his iPod.
Tim Tebow To Appear In Super Bowl Ad With Mom
NCAA's Lil Baby Jesus
Tim Tebow is taking his star power to the airwaves during the Super Bowl on February 7.
The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebow’s will share a personal story centering on the theme “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.”
The group isn’t releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be a anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow’s 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to the NCAA’s lil baby Jesus.
The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner ended his college career with several NCAA, Southeastern Conference and school records, and two national championships.
Don’t forget to enter to win your chance at going “Bowling” in Miami courtesy of Sports Grind Entertainment. Just click [here]
WTF: Derek Dooley
That’s right Derek Dooley the new head coach at the University of Tennessee fits right in with the Mark Mangino’s, Mike Leach, and Jim Leavitt’s on knowing how to treat young adults that come to play for you. You slap them upside the head like he did when he was the head coach at Louisiana Tech
University Of Southern California Hires Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin
Traitor
University of Southern California has hired University of Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin to take over Pete Carroll, who left for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL, after just one season roaming the sidelines for the Volunteers. The hiring was announced by USC hours after Carroll was introduced in Seattle.
Kiffin who is in his third head coaching job in three seasons, 34, is a disciple of Carroll, serving on his staff from 2001 to 2006. In Kiffin’s last two seasons at USC, he was offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
Kiffin left USC in 2007 to coach the Oakland Raiders, becoming the youngest coach in the NFL’s modern era. He was fired after four games of his second season. He then was hired by Tennessee, going 7-6 and playing in a bowl game in his one season.
The move comes as a surprise because Kiffin had been with Tennessee for only this season and because UT has had at least six secondary violations of NCAA rules in Kiffin’s tenure, which spanned just 14 months. He comes to a Trojans program under NCAA investigation since 2006, when allegations were reported that 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and his family received improper benefits from a would-be marketing representative.
Kiffin’s one season at Tennessee will be remembered for a series of verbal gaffes when he accused Florida coach Urban Meyer of cheating for contacting a recruit when the player was visiting Tennessee and the minor NCAA rules violations and now, for his quick departure for Southern California.
His quick exit for a return to Los Angeles, just three weeks before national signing day, was not taken well by Vols fans. Students burned mattresses and piles of trash and gathered around the athletic department building and “The Rock” had obscenities directed toward Kiffin.
Kiffin will bring with him his father, longtime NFL defensive coach Monte Kiffin, and veteran assistant Ed Orgeron, a former USC defensive line coach. Both were on the Tennessee staff last season.
Kiffin owes an $800,000 buyout to Tennessee for leaving early and Will Muschamp would look perfect on the sidelines of Tennessee.
Lane Kiffin Trying To Steal Tennessee Players Before He Leaves?
I’ll say these two points again, looks like Al Davis was right and not some crazy old bag of bones when he spoke about Lane Kiffin and Will Muschamp would look good pacing the sidelines in UT Orange.
It’s almost like Kiffin is trying to steal office supplies before he goes.
University Of Tennessee Students Riot After Lane Kiffin News
Looks like Al Davis was right when he described Lane Kiffin and how about the University of Tennessee making an offer to Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, that would be a great fit.
University Of Tennessee Students Use “The Rock” To Show Lane Kiffin Love
"Yo, man...There's a lot of brothers out there flakin' and perpetratin’ But scared to kick reality"
I’ve walked the campus of Tennessee and I’ve seen “The Rock”, in which students use as a canvas to display message sof how they are feeling basically an open forum, it’s unusual and just one of many things that makes the Volunteer campus a unique place.
Then you have things like Lane Kiffen leaving Tennessee after one season to go back to USC (maybe Al Davis was right after all about this guy) and that has lefts students wanting to express their displeasure of his decision and what better place to do that than at “The Rock”.
Express yourself!
"I'm expressin' with my full capabilities, And now I'm livin' in correctional facilities"
Texas Tech University Hires Former Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville
2004 Coach Of The Year
Texas Tech has hired former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville to take over the Red Raiders football program. Tuberville’s name also had quickly been mentioned with the opening at South Florida as a possible candidate after the school fired its first head coach Jim Leavitt.
Tuberville 110-60 in 14 seasons as a head coach and has ties to Texas ties after serving as defensive coordinator of the Texas A&M Aggies under R.C. Slocum when his Wrecking Crew defense helped produce a 10-0-1 campaign in 1994. He spent 10 seasons as Auburn’s head coach, guiding the Tigers to a 13-0 season in 2004 but was let go after a 5-7 season in 2008.
His record at Auburn was 85-40 and either won or tied for first five times during his tenure and is the only coach in Auburn history to beat in-state rival Alabama six straight times. Prior to Auburn he spent four season at Ole Miss where he guided the Rebels to a 25-20 record in his first head coaching job.
Tuberville, 55, is more conservative than Leach ever was calling plays but he is said to agreed to keep Leach’s offense and coaching staff intact. He will receive a contract comparable to the five-year, $12.7 million Leach signed last February, make in the neighborhood of $2 million annually.
Leach, the winningest coach in Texas Tech history, was fired after an investigation found that he mistreated wide receiver Adam James, the son of former SMU running back and current ESPN college football analyst Craig James.
It’s still uncertain whether or not interim coach/defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will elect to remain on staff. McNeill was also a serious candidate for the job. He and Tuberville both share a background in defense, which could make the relationship awkward.
Dick Saban Takes Jug To Face
“Gatorade Baths” are so played out, even if a Gatorade jug slams into Dick Saban’s face, it’s time we throwing trophies at coaches faces to show how much you really appreciate their love and hard work they put you through.
A bloody face or a concussion is so much better than the played out “Gatorade Baths”.
Primetime College Football: BCS National Championship Game
TALENT
The best two teams in the land collide in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the 4th actual BCS National Championship game, the game was first played at the conclusion of the 1998 college football season to form the Bowl Championship Series however beginning with the 2006 season, the BCS National Championship Game became a separate event. The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide of the SEC and the second-ranked Texas Longhorns from the BIG 12 each come into the game undefeated at 13-0 with hopes to be crowned National Champion.
Alabama is no stranger to the big stage, as the Crimson Tide will be playing for their 13th national title this week. The team’s last national title came back in 1992. Likewise, Nick Saban is very familiar with the pressures of the big game, leading LSU to the national championship in 2003 and now back in just his third season at the helm in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has earned an NCAA-best 57th bowl berth and are 31-22-3 in postseason play overall.
Mack Brown is also seeking a second national title, winning his first just four years ago with the Longhorns. Texas sporting a perfect 13-0 mark to this point, including winning the Big 12 title with a 13-12 dramatic decision against Nebraska in the conference championship game. Texas ranks second in NCAA Bowl appearances, playing in its 49th bowl game and is 25-21-3 in prior postseason affairs.
There wasn’t much that Texas couldn’t do with the football this season and the result was ranking third in the nation in scoring at 40 ppg. The team was able to rush for 152.7 yards per game on 4.1 yards per carry, but the real strength was in a passing attack that netted 279.7 yards per game.
It certainly helps to have one of college football’s greatest leaders under center in senior All-American Colt McCoy. The all-time leader in career wins, McCoy had yet another stellar campaign this season, completing a ridiculous 70.5 percent of his passes, for 3,512 yards, with 27 TDs. The Heisman finalist was certainly aided by fellow ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member wideout Jordan Shipley, who has hauled in 106 passes, for 1,363 yards and 11 TDs. The ground game plays second-fiddle in Austin, but rushers like Tre Newton 5.0 ypc, 6 TDs and Cody Johnson 4.0 ypc, 12 TDs know how to make the most of their opportunities.
As good as McCoy and company have been this year, the Texas defense may have actually played a more critical role in landing the Longhorns in the title game. Among the national leaders in just about every facet of defensive play, Texas finished up ranked 1st in rush defense 62.2 ypg, 3rd in total defense 251.1 ypg and 8th in scoring defense 15 ppg. In addition, this big play unit racked up 41 sacks, 24 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.
There are playmakers at every position on the defense. Up front, Texas relies heavily on the push upfield by ends Sam Acho 57 tackles, 13 TFLs, 9 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries and Sergio Kindle 62 tackles, 18 TFLs, 3 sacks and tackle Lamarr Houston 58 tackles, 20 TFLs, 7 sacks. Rodderick Muckelroy has a team-high 96 tackles, 11 TFLs, 2 sacks, one INT highlights the play in the LB corps, while ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member safety Earl Thomas has 71 tackles, 5 TFLs, 8 INTs while Blake Gideon has 56 tackles, 5 INTs are ball hawks in the secondary.
The Longhorns use the pass to soften things up for the run, while Alabama uses the run to set up the pass. Sophomore Mark Ingram is the main reason for success on offense for Alabama as he rushed for 1,542 yards and 15 TDs making things easier for quarterback Greg McElroy to manage the passing game and throw for 2,450 yards, with 17 TDs against 4 interceptions. Wideouts Julio Jones had 42 receptions, for 573 yards, 4 TDs and Marquis Maze 30 receptions, for 519 yards, two TDs are the main options on the outside.
The Alabama defens is lead by ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member Rolando McClain who led the team in tackles this season 101, with 12.5 TFLs, 4 sacks and 2 INTs. Fellow LB Eryk Anders had 59 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, one INT. Up front, the team looks to Marcell Dareus 32 tackles, 9 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and Terrence Cody 25 tackles, 6 TFLs. The secondary was lead by ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member Javier Arenas 66 tackles 12.TFL 5 sacks and 3 INTs he also gets the help of Mark Barron 70 tackles, seven INTs.
Texas has never lost to Alabama in the all-time series, sporting a 7-0-1 record in eight previous meetings. However, this is the first time these two teams have met on the gridiron since the 1982 Cotton Bowl, a 14-12 win for Texas.
PICK: University of Texas Longhorns
Primetime College Football: AutoZone Liberty Bowl
TALENT
The 52nd annual Liberty Bowl will see East Carolina Pirates from Conference USA, in their second consecutive appearance, to face from the SEC the Arkansas Razorbacks in Memphis.
The Razorbacks have a long history of participating in bowl games, but unfortunately winning those matchups have been tough for this school. This will be the 37th bowl game for Arkansas, but the team is just 11-22-3 in the postseason, and has lost 12 of its last 14 bowl games, including a 38-7 setback to Missouri in the 2008 Cotton Bowl.
Bobby Petrino’s Razorbacks definitely possessed one of the most dangerous offensive units in the entire nation, as the team produced 37 ppg. The ground game is churning out 136 yards per without a true running back. Michael Smith led the way on the year with 396 yards, while Broderick Green added 392 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry. Ryan Mallett was the difference maker throwing for 3,422 yards with 29 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. Greg Childs hauled in 45 receptions for 862 yards and 7 touchdowns and Jarius Wright collected 37 passes for 591 yards and 4 scores while Joe Adams also caught 7 touchdowns.
The Razorbacks were unable to keep up with the top teams in their conference was because the defense was simply not good enough. The defense allowed 25 ppg throughout the season and was unable to stop opponents on the ground or through the air. Arkansas was gashed for 150.1 rushing ypg, and even worse was their performance against the pass, as teams torched this unit for 251.8 ypg and also tossed 21 touchdowns against Arkansas. The defense however, was one of the top teams in the country in forcing turnovers, racking up 34 takeaways on the year. Pressuring the quarterback was also another solid area for this team, with 26 sacks. The Razorbacks also stepped up their effort when it mattered most defensively, as the team held opponents to just 36 percent on third downs and allowed just 17 touchdowns in 39 red zone chances for the opposition. Jerry Franklin led the way for Arkansas on the season with 84 tackles, while Adrian Davis and Jake Bequette both collected 5.5 sacks apiece.
As for Skip Holtz’s Pirates, they could not find their stride out of the gate in 2009, splitting their first six games down the middle however the Pirates really took off winning six of their last seven games. East Carolina’s bowl history is not as dated as Arkansas but do have a mark of 5-5 in postseason. However, the team has lost three of its last four and that includes a 25-19 setback to Kentucky in last season’s Liberty Bowl.
The Pirates relied on their rushing attack as the team rumbled for 149.6 ypg on 4.1 yards per attempt. 23 of the team’s 37 touchdowns came on the ground and those scores helped ECU average a respectable 27 ppg. Dominique Lindsay was the main source of production rumbling for 1,029 yards and 5 scores on 5.0 yards per carry. The passing attack has not been as successful as the ground game because Pat Pinkney was inconsistent throwing for 2,738 yards and 14 scores against 10 interceptions. Dwayne Harris was the top wideout with 79 receptions, 914 yards and 6 touchdowns. Darryl Freeney was also a solid option for Pinkney and finished the regular season with 42 catches for 624 yards and three scores.
Overall the play by the defensive unit for East Carolina was solid, as the team held the opposition to just 22 ppg. The Pirates did a solid job against the run, limiting teams to just 123.3 ypg however the secondary was torched for 262.3 ypg through the air, and surrendered 23 passing touchdowns. C.J. Wilson led the way with 5.5 sacks on the year, while Scott Robinson added five sacks. Nick Johnson led the team with 94 tackles on the season, while Van Eskridge racked up 93 stops and a team-best six interceptions.
This is the first ever meeting between the two schools on the football field.
PICK: University of Arkansas Razorbacks
Primetime College Football: AT&T Cotton Bowl
TALENT
In the 74th annual Cotton Bowl Classic the Big 12 will send the Oklahoma State Cowboys to take on the Ole Miss Rebels of the SEC in the first Cotton Bowl game to be played outside of the Cotton Bowl stadium and will take place at Jerry’s World in Arlington, Texas.
Oklahoma State is set to play in a school-record fourth consecutive bowl game and seventh in the last eight seasons. The program is 12-7 all-time in bowl games, and the club is 2-1 in such tilts under current head coach Mike Gundy. Oklahoma State is 9-3 overall and finished 6-2 in Big 12 play, good enough for second in the rugged South Division.
The Oklahoma State offense is lead by Zac Robinson who has thrown for 15 scores while rushing for 4 touchdowns but has a mere 1,966 passing yards. Kendall Hunter has been limited by injury and largely ineffective. The best player for the offense has been tailback Keith Toston, who has racked up 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. He is also second on the team in catches, providing a viable outlet for Robinson. The team is averaging 30 ppg and 376.2 total ypg.
The Cowboys are holding opponents to 21 ppg and 329.9 total ypg. They are sixth nationally in rushing defense, allowing 87.7 yards per game. Donald Booker leads with 86 total tackles, while Patrick Lavine has recorded 5 interceptions.
As for Ole Miss, it is making its 33rd appearance in a bowl game, and the 20 wins that the program has earned in the postseason ranks 12th in NCAA history. The Rebels are 7-1 in their last eight bowl games, and they beat Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl last season in a 47-34 final. This year’s squad came into the season with tremendous hype and was ranked as high as fourth in the nation. Despite falling short of expectations, the team finished a respectable 8-4 overall and 4-4 in SEC action. Houston Nutt, the head coach of the Ole Miss program, is a three-time SEC Coach of the Year.
Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead completed 54.3 percent of his passes for 2,464 yards and 20 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. Shay Hodge is his favorite target and enters with 63 catches for 1,023 yards and 8 scores. Dexter McCluster, a versatile performer, rushed for 985 yards and six touchdowns on only 147 carries, and he also caught 39 passes for 475 yards and three scores while throwing a touchdown pass on his only attempt. Ole Miss is generating 30 ppg while gaining 405.6 total ypg.
Defensively, Ole Miss has been strong this season, limiting opponents to 18 ppg and 319.3 total ypg. The Rebels have allowed just over a 50 percent completion rating to opposing quarterbacks, as they have been solid against the pass. The run defense has been strong as well, permitting 3.8 yards per carry. Patrick Trahan and Jerrell Powe pace the Rebels with 11 TFLs apiece.
It is ironic that the only previous meeting between Oklahoma State and Ole Miss took place in the 2004 Cotton Bowl, and Eli Manning led the Rebels to a 31-28 victory in that contest.
PICK: University of Mississippi Rebels
Primetime College Football: Papajohns.com Bowl
TALENT
The 4th annual Papajohns.com Bowl will see the Connecticut Huskies of the Big East, who are making their fourth ever bowl game, take on the SEC South Carolina Gamecocks in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Gamecocks stormed out of the gates this season with five wins in their first six games, including four in a row. However, the team eventually hit the tough part of its SEC schedule and suffered losses in four of its next five matchups. This will be the second straight bowl game for South Carolina and the 15th overall in school history. Unfortunately the Gamecocks have not enjoyed much success, posting a mere 4-10 mark in those contests.
Steve Spurrier Gamecocks averaged just 21 ppg and are turning out 125.0 ypg on the ground on 3.7 yards per attempt. Leading the ground attack is Kenny Miles, but he has rushed for just 602 yards and one score, while Brian Maddox has contributed 305 yards and a team-best 5 rushing touchdowns. Stephen Garcia has 2,733 yards and 17 scores against 9 interceptions with his only top receiver being Alshon Jeffery who has 43 receptions for 735 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The reason South Carolina was so competitive this season is mainly due to the play of the defense, which held the opposition to just 20 ppg. The Gamecocks allowed just 137.0 ypg on the ground on a mere 3.8 yards per carry, and against the pass the team was even better, limiting opponents to just 167.7 ypg through the air. The defense is lead by ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member Eric Norwood who has 71 tackles and 11.5 that where for a loss as well as having 7 sacks on the season. His sack and tackle for a loss totals pushed him to become the all-time leader for South Carolina in both categories. Cliff Matthews collected 7 sacks as well while Shaq Wilson led the squad with 78 tackles.
The Huskies are not as seasoned when its comes to playing in the postseason, participating in just three bowls prior to this year’s contest. UConn is however, 2-1 in those games, and that includes a 38-20 victory over Buffalo in last year’s International Bowl. This year the Huskies had to overcome tragedy along with a grueling Big East schedule. The Huskies began the season with four wins in their first six games however, after that win the Huskies endured a tremendous loss when cornerback Jasper Howard was killed on campus. UConn stumbled through three straight losses but fortunately UConn won its last three contests.
The Huskies rumble into this contest averaging a stout 32 ppg, and the success is largely due to the team’s performance on the ground, as UConn is churning out 172.8 ypg. Out of the 44 touchdowns scored by this unit, 29 have come via the run. Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon formed a dangerous duo for the Huskies, as Todman amassed 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Dixon rumbled for 967 yards and 13 scores. The ground game overshadowed the team’s lack of success through the air, as UConn struggled to find consistency with its passing attack. Zach Frazer played in seven games this season and was nothing more than mediocre, completing just 54.3 percent of his throws for 1,354 yards. Frazer threw 9 touchdowns on the season but also tossed 9 interceptions. Marcus Easley was clearly the top target on the roster, finishing with 44 receptions, for 853 yards and eight TDs.
The play of the offense lightened the load for UConn’s defense that was inconsistent at times this year. The Huskies are allowing 25 ppg, surrendering 137.6 ypg on the ground and 244.8 ypg through the air as well as 17 touchdowns against this secondary. Lawrence Wilson was one of the top performers for this defense throughout the season with 136 tackles and 10 TFLs and Lindsey Witten had 13 TFLs and 11.5 sacks.
This will be the first-ever meeting between South Carolina and Connecticut on the gridiron.
PICK: University of Connecticut Huskies
Primetime College Football: Allstate Sugar Bowl
TALENT
In the 76th annual Sugar Bowl the Florida Gators will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in a game full of story lines down in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Cincinnati is making its second straight New Years Day appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game. The Bearcats have won back-to-back Big East Conference titles and wrapped up a perfect regular season and then watched as its head coach Brain Kelly left for the head coaching position vacant at Notre Dame and now will not be on the sidelines for this game. Kelly’s assistant, Jeff Quinn, was named the interim head coach for this Sugar Bowl, but before this game could be played he was selected to be the next head coach at Buffalo, Quinn will honor his commitment though and lead the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl.
The story becomes even more complicated in that Cincinnati has already hired a new permanent head coach in Butch Jones, who led Central Michigan to a pair of Mid-American Conference titles. Jones replaced Brian Kelly at CMU after he left the Chippewas to lead the Bearcats.
Cincinnati leads the nation in passing efficiency 166.19, and ranks sixth in scoring offense 39.8, passing offense 320.3, and total offense 464.3. The team has the good fortune of having two outstanding quarterbacks in Tony Pike and Zach Collaros. Pike, the senior, missed three games due to injury, but he has still thrown for 2,350 yards with 26 touchdowns against 6 interceptions this year. Collaros, a sophomore, has connected on 75 percent of his attempts for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns against a mere 2 interceptions. As a runner, he has posted 344 yards and 4 touchdowns. Pike will get the start under center in this bowl game, and he will benefit from the presence of receivers Mardy Gilyard and Armon Binns as usual. Gilyard has recorded 80 catches for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Binns adds 56 grabs for 859 yards and 10 scores. Gilyard has also scored a touchdown as a runner, one as a punt returner and two as a kick returner. Isaiah Pead leads the UC ground attack with 758 yards and nine touchdowns.
Cincinnati is yielding 20 ppg and 350.2 total ypg, and while the defensive unit isn’t dominant, it has been strong in most games this season. The Bearcats are only allowing 3.5 yards per rushing attempt, and they have recorded 16 interceptions as well. Aaron Webster has intercepted four passes to pace the team, and Andre Revels is tops with 103 total tackles.
As for Florida, it is making a bowl appearance for the 19th consecutive year, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The Sugar Bowl marks the program’s sixth appearance in a BCS game, and the team knocked off Oklahoma by a 24-14 final in last season’s national title contest. The Gators are 12-1 and have its own unique story lines surface before the Sugar Bowl could be played as Urban Meyer made a recent announcement that he was going to take an indefinite leave of absence following the Sugar Bowl for health-related reasons. Meyer had originally stepped down from his coaching position, stating his desire to concentrate on his health and focus more on his family. But a day later, changed his mind and will take leave instead.
Florida is led by quarterback Tim Tebow has thrown for 2,413 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 65.2 percent of his passes this season. As a runner, the versatile signal caller has posted 13 touchdowns and 859 yards. Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey have combined for nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while tight end Aaron Hernandez and Riley Cooper have more than 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns between them.
Florida has allowed just 15 touchdowns this season, tied for the fewest in the nation with Penn State, which has played one fewer game than the Gators. The 11.5 points per game that UF is allowing ranks third nationally, and the team has given up seven or fewer points in six games. Foes are gaining a mere 101.6 yards per game on the ground against the Gators, who are yielding just 3.1 yards per rushing attempt. The pass defense is lead by ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member Joe Haden who has recorded 57 tackles and 4 interceptions while deflecting 8 passes.
In the only previous meeting between Florida and Cincinnati on the gridiron, the Gators cruised to a 48-17 victory back in 1984.
PICK: University of Florida Gators
Primetime College Football: Captial One Bowl
TALENT
The 64th annual Capital One Bowl will see the Penn State Nittany Lions take on the LSU Tigers for just the second time in their history as Joe Paterno looks to add to his record 23 postseason victories.
Penn State (10-2) had a shot at making a second straight BCS appearance after finishing in the top 14 of the final BCS standings, but home losses to Iowa and Ohio State kept the Nittany Lions out. Penn State was even in consideration despite lacking a win over a ranked opponent was mainly due to a fan base that travels well and Paterno, whose record of 393 wins among major college coaches appears safer by the day with the pending retirement of Florida State’s Bobby Bowden. The Nittany Lions were outscored 45-17 and held to an average of 254.0 yards of offense in their two losses, but their six conference victories came by an average of nearly three touchdowns. Even though their wins came against opponents who went a combined 56-64.
Penn State and LSU (9-3) have met once – a 16-9 Nittany Lions win in the 1974 Orange Bowl that capped Paterno’s third of five unbeaten seasons.
Quarterback Daryll Clark led the conference with 23 touchdown passes and was also the league’s highest-rated passer (145.7), but against LSU, he’ll need to avoid the turnovers that have plagued him during Penn State’s losses. Clark has thrown 39 touchdown passes and 9 interceptions in winning 21 starts, but he’s tossed 3 TDs and 7 INTs in his four losses.
The Tigers forced 36 turnovers in 14 games and allowed 288.8 yards per game on their way to winning the 2008 BCS championship, but they have not had the same success since. LSU has created 37 turnovers in 25 games the last two seasons – three in its final five regular-season games. Of equal concern was the amount of yardage the Tigers allowed in their final four contests. LSU had allowed 293.0 yards per game as it started 7-1, but gave up 393.8 in splitting its last four games.
While Les Miles has a long way to go to match Paterno’s total of bowl victories, no coach has gotten more out of his team in the postseason recently. Since Miles arrived from Oklahoma State before the 2005 season, LSU has won its four bowl games by an average of 28.5 points.
Despite their bowl track record, the Tigers will be hard-pressed to score on Penn State. While quarterback Jordan Jefferson has played better of late – he threw 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in his last five games – LSU ranks 108th in total offense (309.7 yards per game).
That offense figures to struggle even more if tailback Charles Scott can’t go. The Tigers’ leading rusher broke his collarbone in early November and missed the last three games, though he returned to practice Dec. 14 and currently is questionable. Speedy senior all-purpose back Trindon Holliday could get more carries as well. Regardless of who receives the bulk of the carries, the Tigers will face a stiff challenge up front. Penn State’s defense is 10th nationally against the run (93.9 ypg), eighth overall (277.1) and allows the fourth-fewest points per game (11.8).
The Nittany Lions, as usual, have a talented trio of linebackers in Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman and leading tackler Josh Hull, but it’s tackle Jared Odrick who gets them started up front.
Penn State is 1-3 in the Capital One Bowl, while LSU is 1-1, losing 30-25 in 2005 on a last-second touchdown pass in Nick Saban’s final game as coach.
PICK: Louisiana State University Tigers
Primetime College Football: Chick-fil-A Bowl
TALENT
The 42nd Chick-fil-A Bowl will see Virginia Tech Hokies from the ACC take on the Tennessee Volunteers from the SEC at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Virginia Tech is hoping to clinch a 10-win season for the sixth consecutive year, and that would be a tremendous accomplishment to say the least. The team is 9-3 overall this season, including a 5-2 mark against ACC competition. The Hokies are just 8-14 all-time in bowl games, and head coach Frank Beamer is 7-9 in bowl games after winning last years Orange Bowl.
Virginia Tech is led by standout freshman tailback Ryan Williams, who has run for a school and ACC freshman record 1,538 yards this season. He needs 110 yards against Tennessee to break the school’s single-season rushing record set by Kevin Jones in 2003. Williams has 20 total touchdowns, including 19 rushing scores. The Hokies are generating 31 ppg on the strength of 388.3 total ypg. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor has connected on 55.8 percent of his throws for 2,102 yards and 13 touchdowns against 4 interceptions and rushed for 344 yards and 4 scores. Jarrett Boykin paces the club with 36 catches for 715 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Virginia Tech’s defense is limiting opponents to 15 ppg and 300.1 total ypg. Opposing quarterbacks have completed fewer than 50 percent of their passes against Tech, which has permitted a mere 8 touchdowns through the air and 9 rushing scores have been allowed. Cody Grimm has recorded 99 total tackles and forced 7 fumbles.
Tennessee owns a 25-22 all-time record in bowl games and is playing in the Chick-fil-A Bowl for the fifth time in school history and first since back-to-back appearances following the 2002 and 2003 seasons. The Vols are 1-3 in the Atlanta-based bowl, and they enter this game with a 7-5 overall record and 4-4 in the SEC.
Lane Kiffin’s Volunteers are scoring 30 ppg this season while generating 395.4 total ypg. Jonathan Crompton passed for 2,565 yards and 26 touchdowns while Gerald Jones caught 41 passes for 610 yards. Denarius Moore has 6 receiving touchdowns. Tennessee has a true workhorse back in Montario Hardesty, who has rushed for 1,306 yards and 12 touchdowns, carrying the ball 264 times.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tennessee is holding opponents to 21.0 ppg and 308.8 total ypg. The Vols have been outstanding against the pass, yielding a mere 9.5 yards per completion and just 5 touchdowns have been registered by opposing quarterbacks. Rico McCoy is a hard-hitting linebacker for the Vols, and he has made a team- high 112 tackles this season to go along with 5 forced fumbles. ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member Eric Berry is an outstanding safety that is the active NCAA leader and stands second in NCAA history with 494 interception return yards.
Tennessee owns a 5-2 lead over Virginia Tech in a series that dates back to 1896. The most recent meeting took place in 1994, a 45-23 triumph by the Vols.
PICK: University of Tennessee Volunteers
ESPN Hires USC’s Pete Carroll
Jerk Move
ESPN has hired USC head coach Pete Carroll to serve as an analyst for the BCS Championship Game. Carroll will also appear on College Gameday, a few SportsCenters and of course all of ESPN coverage of the Texas-Alabama game at the Rose Bowl.
This is the first season since Carroll intial year with the Trojans he has not coached in a BCS Bowl game and it will allow him to explore such adventures. Carroll and the Trojans are coming off 24-13 victory of Boston College in the Emerald Bowl. He will offer his insight on the pressure of playing in a National Championship Game and at the Rose Bowl, as well as coaching against Texas coach Mack Brown.
Carroll will appear on the ESPN set at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on the evening editions of SportsCenter Wednesday, Jan. 6; a special one-hour College GameDay Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.; National Championship pre-game and halftime shows on ABC beginning at 8 p.m.; and for ESPN’s SportsCenter post-game coverage following the game.
University Of Alabama Lowers Admissions So Athletes Can Play
Big Al Wants To Win
The Associated Press did a review nearly all of the 120 schools in college football on their admissions data submitted to the NCAA found that blue chip athletes attending some of the countries major schools allowed admission requirement waived or altered so they could play football.
That doesn’t come as a surprise but what is that it’s found in every major conference and the review identified at least 27 schools where athletes were at least 10 times more likely to benefit from special admission programs than students in the general population.
That group includes Alabama where 19 football players got in as part of a special admissions program from 2004 to 2006, the most recent years available in the NCAA report. While
Texas was one of 7 schools that reported no use of special admissions but the Longhorns did acknowledged that athletic recruits overall are less prepared where the average SAT score for a freshman football player from 2003 to 2005 was 945 – or 320 points lower than the typical first-year student’s score on the entrance exam.
In all, 77 of the 92 universities that provided information reported using special admissions waivers to land athletes and other students with particular talents.
