But I....wait who is number 2?

Today was a perfect example why I love college football.  There was so much going on I almost lost track of it.  I have to take my hat off to Tennessee and Coach Fulmer.  What a way to send him out.  Too bad they couldn't play like this all season, he might still have a job.  Notre Dame laid an egg against USC.  Kansas showed up and beat a very good Missouri team.  Texas Tech didn't show up and almost lost to a very athletic Baylor team.  7 teams in the top 25 have already finished their season.  And the craziest of all, Florida scored 40 for the 7th straight time, and the did it against another top 25 team.  Here is a stat that might surprise you, Maryland's quaterback Turner threw the first interception of his career against a top 25 team.  Even after getting destroyed, Oregon State still has a chance to win the Pac-10.  And how about the Georgia, Georgia Tech game.  I love rivalry week.  In the family feud I won with a 7-3 record, john went 6-4, and Elysa went 4-6.  That takes us to 23-17, 26-14, and 22-18 respectively. Now it is time for my top 25.

BUS standings

1.) Alabama

2.) Florida

3.) Oklahoma

4.) Texas

5.) Utah

6.) Boise State

7.) Penn State

8.) Texas Tech

9.) USC

10.) Ohio State

11.) Ball State

12.) Cincinnati

13.) TCU

14.) Oregon

15.) Georgia

16.) Mizzou

17.) Georgia Tech

18.) Cal

19.) BYU

20.) Boston College

21.) Ole Miss

22.) Oregon State

23.) Pitt

24.) Michigan State

25.) Kansas

Before I go I need to give a shout out to Boise running back Ian Johnson.  This is a senior who was the star of the Fiesta Bowl two years ago. Now he is the third down back and playing special teams and doesn't complain a bit.  He is the picture of team play.  He also tied Marshall Faulk for most touchdowns by a running back in the WAC.  What a guy. Ya'll continue to live like no one is watching and party like it's 1982!

Alabama Number one, I taste blood.

Have you ever been hit in the mouth and not seen it coming.  It seems like you always taste the blood before you even feel the pain, even before your body registers the pain.  That is how I feel about Alabama holding the number one spot.  It seems like every week they are playing a game in which their opponent has beat them the last six years.  Its because Alabama Sucked, even last year.  Its like that fat girl in the 7th grade that leaves for the summer and comes back smoking hot.  Your like what the hell happened? And then she still dates the nerd of a boyfriend for a few more years.  Wait that doesn't have anything to football.  Anyway I just didn't see Alabama being this good this year.  I thought this would be their rebuilding year with all that young talent.  Hate him or not Saban can coach.  Well get ready for a helluva a day in college football.  Go Irish!  Also if you have the chance and it is on at your house or the bar your in try to catch a Division II playoff game.  North Alabama plays Delta at noon or you might have a regional game.  It might be on one of those obscure sports channels or a regional fox sports channel.  Check it out any way live like no one is watching and continue to pray for Mumbai! 

This week's picks and the family weighs in!

This has already been a phenomenal week in college football.  Ball State stayed undefeated and Pitt won a close one in the backyard brawl.  Boise State is in the process of dismantling Fresno State and LSU proved they can't win without a quarterback by losing to Arkansas.  Tomorrow will be another great day in the midst of rivalry week.  I have picked a few games to help set it up.

1.) Texas Tech v. Baylor- Baylor is a very young, very athletic team.  They seem to creating an identity and might be a force to be reckoned with in the near future, but not this year.  Texas Tech is looking to redeem itself after getting utterly destroyed last week.  This game is in Lubbock where Tech's defense has been stout.  Baylor kept it close verse Texas early a few weeks ago, but I think that Tech has too much to prove.  TECH

2.) Missouri v. Kansas- Missouri has a really good offense.  They seem to have been forgotten after losing to both Texas and Oklahoma State.  They are set up to have a field day against a Kansas defense that has given up 3 or more touchdowns in the last 4 games.  Kansas has a great offense as well but it has not scored enough to win as of late going 1-4 in their last 5 games.  This game is at a neutral sight but I don't think Kansas has enough.  MIZZOU.

3.) Auburn v. Alabama- Auburn, despite struggling massively on offense, have won some close games this season.  The Tiger's defense has only given up 30 points once this season.  Alabama does not have a big-play team and could struggle against this Auburn defense.  Nick Saban has compiled a good group of athletes and I think that is enough.  ALABAMA.

4.) Oklahoma v. Oklahoma State- Oklahoma dominated Tech last week.  This came just a week after Tech dominated Oklahoma State.  This game is at Stillwater where the Cowboys are undefeated this year.  Other than last week Oklahoma tends to have problems with high powered offenses.  They also struggle on special teams.  The Sooners need to win and win big.  I really believe that Zach Robinson and Oklahoma State will put up a fight.  OKLAHOMA

5.) Maryland v. Boston College- This could turn out to be the best game of the day.  It will all depend on which Maryland team shows up.  The Terps have shown up big in big games and laid an egg in other games.  Boston College has been hot since losing to Clemson.  Their one set back is that the Eagles starting quaterback is out with a broken collarbone but Dominick Davis stepped in last week and did a helluva job.  Boston College needs this win to win the ACC coastal.  BOSTON COLLEGE.

6.) Oregon v. Oregon State-  Oregon is a fast team with a great running game.  They have been looking good even with shaky play at the quarterback position.  Oregon State will be without freshman sensation Jacquizz Rodgers.  That will be a big blow to the Beavers running game. Oregon State needs this win to win the Pac-10 and go to their first Rose Bowl in 40 some odd years.   Oregon has not been mentally tough and has folded in big games.  OREGON STATE.

7.) Notre Dame v. USC- This should really be the who cares game of the week.  Notre Dame is a mess.  I don't think that even a win against USC can save Charlie Weis' job.  USC has just too many athletes.  The Trojan defense is just too good.  Kiss my ass! USC.

8.)  Florida v. Florida State- Florida State is young and have a ton of athletes. Christian Ponder and that Seminole offense are coming on as of late.  However they have been hit or miss on both times of the ball.  But when Florida State shows up they show up big.  With all that said Florida is just too dominant.  The Gators have too much speed and too much talent.  FLORIDA

9.) Houston v. Rice-  This is a big cross town rivalry game.  These are two big time offenses.  Houston could win the Conference USA western division. If you like points this is the game to watch.  HOUSTON

10.) Georgia Tech v. Georgia-  This is my upset pick!  Both teams are playing a great.  Georgia Tech has a lot of athletes and teams have been struggling with the old school triple option.  Georgia still has problems up front with that young offensive line.  Look for Georgia Tech to give them problems.  GEORGIA TECH

Lets see what the family did.

Elysa     John Nathan

TECH TECH TECH

Mizzou Mizzou MIzzou

Auburn Alabama Alabama

Ok State OU       OU

Maryland BC BC

Oregon State Oregon State Oregon State

USC USC USC

Florida Florida Florida

Houston Houston Houston

GT Georgia GT

The Family feud might be boring.  Thanks for all of your support and I enjoy your feedback.  Live like no one is watching and pray for INDIA! 

Stuffed!

Good morning faithful readers.  I am really sorry about the lack of posts this week.  Alot has happened since that day.  Ball State finished their season undefeated, the Aggies got dominated, and teh Cowboys looked good.  The great thing about this weekend is a full slate of games on friday.  The best is at noon on ABC, West virginia and Pitt.  Also Fresno  State plays Boise State tonight that might be a good one.  Enjoy your friday and I will have the picks up tonight.  I hope you all had a happy holiday.  Live like no one is watching and eat a turkey sandwich.

Ute 2!

It is a well documented fact that I love underdogs, including the proverbial "BCS busters".  It is always an argument that the conferences that these teams hail from are not as strong.  It is also a proven fact that alot of them play pretty weak non-conference schedules to remain undefeated and keep their busting hopes alive.  Either way it is a proven fact, with passionate rivalry games and conference surprises every year, that it is very hard to go undefeated.  Just ask the two loss national champions from last year, LSU!  Utah is a legit team.  They might not be the second best team in the nation, but they might deserve the ranking spot.  Let us break it down logically by looking at the wins and losses of the teams ranked in front of them.

First of course is the number one ranked, and currently undefeated, Alabama Crimson Tide.  The fighting Nick Satan's have a lot going for them on paper.  They are undefeated as previously stated and they are in the very tough SEC.  But let's look deeper into their actual schedule.  Did you know that they only have one win against a team that is currently ranked.  That team is Georgia which is, as of now, ranked 11th.  Throughout the season Alabama has played three games against teams that were ranked at the time of each respective game.  Those teams are Clemson, which was ranked 9th, and is currently joke, Georgia, which was ranked 3rd at the time, and LSU, which was ranked 16th at the time, and is now unranked.  They also beat Ole miss and as you know Ole Miss beat, dum dum dum, Florida!   Pretty impressive resume I would guess but it breaks down to the fact that they beat only one team that is currently ranked.  

Next up is the number two ranked Texas Longhorns.  That is right the hated Longhorns.  Texas, like Alabama, is in a tough conference.  In fact the Big 12 might be the toughest conference this year.  On their run to number 2, Texas has stacked up a pretty impressive list of teams they have beat.  In the course of the season Texas has played 4 teams that were ranked at the time of the games.  those teams are Oklahoma ranked 1, Oklahoma State ranked 6th, Missouri ranked 11th, and Texas Tech ranked 7th.  They won  3 of those games, Oklahoma currently ranked 3, Oklahoma State currently ranked 12, and Missouri currently ranked 12.  They lost to Texas Tech who are now ranked 7.  That adds up to 3 wins against teams now ranked and the crucial loss to Tech.  

In the third position in the BCS is Oklahoma.  They are in the Big 12 as well.  Oklahoma has also played 4  games against teams that were ranked at the time of those games.  Those teams consist of TCU then ranked 24th now ranked 14, Texas then ranked 5th now ranked 2, Kansas then ranked 16th now unranked, and Texas Tech then ranked 2nd now ranked 7th.  They beat TCU, Kansas, and Tech, only two of which are still ranked.  Oklahoma also lost to Texas, who is currently ranked 2nd.  That breaks down to 2 wins against ranked opponents and still one big loss.

Next up is Florida.  Florida is arguably the hottest team in the nation and is also in the SEC.  Throughout their record breaking season they have played only 3 teams that were ranked at the time of the games. The Gators beat LSU then ranked 4th, Georgia then ranked 6th, and South Carolina then ranked 25th.  They won all of these games but only one of those teams, Georgia number 11, is still ranked.  Florida's one big black eye is that they lost to Ole Miss which is currently unranked and has not been ranked this season.  The way this settles up is Florida has only beat one ranked team and has a loss to an unranked team.  

The fifth and final team ranked in front of the Utes is the USC Trojans.  I know please stop booing so I can finish a thought.  USC is in the Pac-10 which can only be measured against the MWC in terms of power.  USC has played 3 games against teams that were ranked at the time of their battle.  Those three teams were Ohio state then ranked 5th and now ranked 10th, Cal then ranked 21 now unranked, and Oregon ranked 23rd then and now.  They also lost to Oregon state who are now ranked 17th and who also lost to the UTES!  That breaks down to 2 wins against ranked teams, and a devastating loss to the Beavers.  

And finally the Utah Utes.  Their biggest knock is that they play in the Mountain West which is not a BCS conference.  Utah did not play a tough non-conference schedule.  They put Michigan on the schedule but that hurt more than it helped.  They did beat Oregon State but it was early in the season before the Beavers were ranked.  During their season, the Utes only played two teams that were ranked at the time of the game, BYU 14, and TCU 12.  Both of those teams are tough conference rivals.  As it all adds up they have 3 wins against teams in the top 20, Oregon State 17, BYU 18, and TCU 14.  They have no losses.

Really all this means nothing, because if you put Utah on the field with any of the teams in the top 5 they would more than likely lose.  But you see college football doesn't have a playoff so that wouldn't happen.  We are stuck with the BCS.  I say that if we are going to use this crazy system than it must be held accountable and Utah Should be number 2!  GO UTES and live like no one is watching.  

Crank up the Madonna Music!

Today, November 23, 27 years ago a good man was born, oh yeah and so was my brother.  This is a small dedication to my older brother John.  A guy who collects porn, listens to Madonna, loves Shaq movies, and takes trains to the face better than anyone I know.  He was an inspiration to me growing up.  He led me to have big dreams of being a pizza delivery guy or Taco Bell manager and drive around in a Lancer.  All kidding aside, John is a man among men.  He is a decorated Marine and one of the smartest guys I know.  He is tough and kind despite his douchebag exterior.  I would give anything to be like him.  I love you big brother.  Happy birthday.  Now turn off Shazaam and go grab the new Madonna greatest hits album. STOP googling for it John I was just kidding!  Live like no one is watching and enjoy getting closer to thirty than me!

Who writes this stuff!

It is official, college football is outrageous.  Please before you say "duh" let me explain.  One of the best games of the day was between Washington and Washington State arguably two of the worst teams in the NCAA.   Also Abilene Christian scored a record 93 points, that's in a football game.    Almost half of the top 25 didn't even play today and Florida should be penalized for playing the Citadel.  This was a nutty day.  In the pick-ems I went 4-6, so did Elysa, and John won with a meager 5-5.  That takes us to 16-14, 18-12, and 20-10 over the last three weeks.  We will avoid the Tech and Michigan scores because I am still a little sad.  Not to mention again Notre Dame lost to SYRACUSE!  On a more impressive note Myron Rolle was awarded the Rhodes Scholar.  Congratulations son! Anyway here is the BUS.  

BUS Standings

1.) Alabama

2.) Oklahoma

3.) Texas

4.) Florida

5.) Utah

6.) Texas Tech

7.) Penn State

8.) Boise State

9.) USC

10.) Ohio State

11.) Georgia

12.) Mizzou

13.) Ball State

14.) Oklahoma State

15.) TCU

16.) Cincinnati

17.) Oregon State

18.) Cal

19.) Oregon

20.) BYU

21.) Georgia Tech

22.) Boston College

23.) South Carolina

24.) Florida State

25.) Ole Miss

Yall continue to live like no one is watching.  And stay tuned for more stupidity!

Pick-ems and more ignorant picks from the Family

Well another saturday is upon us.  This week's picks are terrifying because I could easily go 9-1, excluding my upset pick which is totally ridiculous, or 0-10. With the science of the picks aside this could prove to be one of the best weeks of football this year.  Well here we go!

1.) Air Force v. TCU-  Air Force has showed some signs this year of being a good if not great offensive team.  But TCU's defense might just be too much to handle.  TCU still has an outside shot at a really good bowl game and they are pushing hard for some respect.  I think their defense will be just too much for Air Force.  TCU

2.) BYU v. Utah-  This is a bitter rivalry game which means anything can happen.  Utah doesn't look like a BCS buster but a legitimate top 10 team. BYU still has an amazing offense and maybe jsut enough defense.  BYU

3.) Cincinatti v. Pitt-  This is a Big East battle with title implications.  Both teams hold their own destinies in their hands.  Pitt's Lesean "Shady" Mccoy is a big play threat but always seems to be trying too hard.  Cinci has a strong defensive front and some playmakers in the defensive backfield.  Pitt qb has only thrown 5 touchdowns and matched that number in interceptions.  Cincinatti's offense is explosive but inconsistent.The winner of this game is the front runner for the Big East championship.  CINCINATTI

4.) Boston College v. Wake forest- Both of these teams are trying to stay afloat in the jumbled  ACC.  BC has beat Notre Dame and Florida State after losing to Clemson and North Carolina three weeks ago.  Wake Forest is mediocre and has really struggled on offense this season.   BOSTON COLLEGE

5.) Stanford v. Cal- Cal is a truly competitive team with some real identity problems at quaterback.  After a big win in Oregon they have lost their last two.   Stanford has a pretty good offense.  They scored more points on USC than ony other team this year other than Oregon State.  This is Stanford's last chance to be bowl eligible.  STANFORD

6.) Florida State v. Maryland-  These are the top 2 teams in the ACC atlantic division.  Maryland needs to win because they have something to prove to the nation.  They are two wins away from being the ACC Atlantic Champions.  They are 4-0 against the top 25 and 6-0 at home.  This game is in Maryland.  The FSU secondary will be lacking with Myron Rolle interviewing for the Rhodes Scholar and Mclure hurt.  FSU has alot of weapons on offense but I don't think it will be enough.  MARYLAND

7.) Michigan State v Penn State-  Michigan State has Javon Ringer and he is the third best rusher  in Division 1.  However they also have Moyer at quaterback and he is in a slump.  Penn State has a fantastic run defense and this might turn out to be a blow out.  PENN STATE

8.) Texas Tech v. Oklahoma-  This will be an offensive shoot out for the ages.  Oklahoma has the best offense on paper but this is a different breed of Tech team.  Tech has a great run game and a big play defense.  Oklahoma has given up alot of yards ans alot of points.  Not ot sound redundant but Tech will make the defensive stops it needs to.  TEXAS TECH

9.) Washington State v. Washington-  The Apple Cup is on the line but no one really cares.  I like Tyrone Willingham and hopefully he pulls this one out.  WASHINGTON

10.) Michigan v. Ohio State-  This is my upset special.  I am picking Michigan because I love the Maize and Blue.  I have no real stats or insite other than this; No first year coach at Michigan has ever lost to Ohio State.  This is Rich Rod's first year and that is good enough for me.  MICHIGAN

Now for the family fued

Elysa John  ME

Air Force TCU TCU

Utah Utah BYU

Pitt Cinci Cinci

Wake Wake BC

Cal Cal Stanford

FSU Maryland Maryland

MSU Penn State Penn State

Tech Tech Tech

Washington Washington Washington

OSU Michigan Michigan

Ya'll live like no one is watching and keep your eye out for SHAZAAM 2 featuring John Brown as SHAZAAM!

Get your Guns up for a shootout

This year it has become a cliche' to say that this week's game is the biggest game in Texas tech history.  It seems that last month of football for the Red Raiders has set some sort of precedent for the program.  This week against the Sooners of Oklahoma will be no different.

This game does not appear to be that big of a rival game historically speaking.  Although Mike Leach coached under Bob Stoopes at Oklahoma there is no bad blood or underlying hatred to speak of.  Stoopes is 6-2 against Leach, one of those losses coming last year when Oklahoma had its eyes on the national title.  However, this game is bigger than any for the Red Raiders and perhaps for the Oklahoma Sooners.  Since the commencement of the Big 12 Conference in 1996 Texas Tech has not won the conference or even the South Division but has the opportunity to clinch the south and play for the conference championship with a win this weekend.  A win for Oklahoma would mean total chaos.  All BCS hell would break loose.  Texas, OKlahoma, and Tech would all be tied at the top of the Big 12 south. Now the tiebreaker, according to conference rules, will be who is ranked higher in the BCS standings.  So will Oklahoma jump Texas with a win and just how far will Tech fall.  What a mess might await us.

This will be a helluva football game and will come down to defense again which does not bode well for the Sooners.  Stay tuned to the blog for pick-ems.  Live like no one is watching and someone please slap a stripper so you can get onto the Dallas Cowboy roster.   

In case you missed it-shame on you!

Since I posted early today I missed some late breaking sports news.  So just for all of you that only get your sports from me, and may I use this time to chastise you, here are the headlines.

Mike Mussina Retires

Mike Mussina, a right handed pitcher free agent, announced that he would retire today after the first 20 win season of his career.  Mussina is just a month short of forty years old and has played the last eight years of his career with the New York Yankees.  He spent 18 years in the Major leagues with only two teams, the Baltimore Orioles and the a fore mentioned Yankees.  He ranks in the top 10 in a lot of the major pitching categories.  He is fourth in wins with 270, in shutouts with 23, and complete games with 57.  He is sixth in strikeouts with 2,183 and batters walked per inning at 1.98.  He is eighth in win-loss percentage at .638.  He has a career ERA of 3.68 and gave up 367 home runs.  He finished as a finalist for the Cy Young award 7 times and was a 2 time nominee for MVP.  He also won 7 Gold Gloves and has a career fielding percentage of .980.  He was fantastic in the post season but did not win a World Series despite appearing in two with the Yankees.  Now I have no clue in hell what all those numbers mean but I think if you add them up they equal HALL OF FAME.  

Ball State Stays Perfect

If you missed this game on ESPN2, you missed a helluva a football game.  These Ball State Cardinals are playing their hearts out and Central Michigan is one of the best coached teams in the nation.  Nate Davis of Ball State went 12 of 22 for 175 yards and four touchdowns.  I didn't mention interceptions because he didn't throw any!  Dan Lefevour of Central Michigan, and my favorite college quarterback, went 30 of 44 for 342 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.  He also ran for 82 yards.  Central Michigan is the two time defending MAC champions and Ball State was playing to stay undefeated.  Ball State still needs a win next week against tough MAC opponent Western Michigan to finish the season undefeated and they still have an outside chance at a BCS bowl bid, although they need a lot of help.  This was a great game between two well coached, talented football teams.

Pac-Man Jones is Reinstated in the NFL

ARE YOU KIDDING ME! THE NFL IS A JOKE! ROGER GOODELL IS A PUNK AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS NON-SENSE!  FUCK PAC-MAN, THAT'S RIGHT I SAID IT! 

Well that's all the headlines that interest me.  Continue to live like no one is watching and remember that according to the NFL, you can do whatever you want as long as your publicists says your sorry and you spend three weeks in rehab!

Tough Rhodes to Rolle

Today's post is essentially a standing ovation for Florida State University junior safety Myron Rolle.  If you haven't been following college football closely you might have missed this impressive story completely.  Myron Rolle is being interviewed for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.  I am in complete awe of this young man and have found that his story is just incredible.

First, you must understand just how selective the process for the Rhodes Scholarship is.  Only a few students are given opportunity to accept this award each year.  It is an amazing  accomplishment to even be considered much less to be a finalist like Myron Rolle.  The winners of this award get a scholarship to study at Oxford University of England.  Thousands of college students are interviewed for the opportunity each year.  Now the specifics of this scholarship are complicated and I, being a complete moron, do not understand them but the requirements are grueling for any student much less the student athlete that has to perform well in two aspects of college.

Myron Rolle is a finalist for the award as well as being a standout in the secondary of the Seminoles.  He is also a remarkable brand of student-athlete.  In his senior year of high school he was the number one overall recruit in the nation, but told his coach that he would quit football if he were not permitted to take a science class that would make him late for practice.  The academic has always come before the athletic for this young man.  He has already graduated from FSU with a Pre-Med degree in only five semesters and plans on becoming a brain surgeon.  While handling this unbelievable workload off the field; he has 192 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles on the field.  He is an unbelievable talent and has a chance to play in the NFL, which might be a tough decision for him.  NFL or brain surgery, sounds like rocket science to me!

The other aspects of this story that deserves some accolade are the NCAA and FSU's athletic department.  The NCAA is providing an airplane to and from the interview in Alabama so that Myron Rolle can go to the interview and try to make it back to the game in Maryland.  The NCAA also moved the game to a later time so that there is an actual chance for him to have an impact at least in the second-half of Saturday night's game.  Also the FSU's athletic department is being very supportive of Rolle despite the implications of this game and the fact that Rolle's back-up, Mclure is injured.

It is amazing to have a story like this in college football especially at Florida State, who in the last few years had tons of problems with their student athletes.  Myron Rolle is an inspiration and whether or not he wins the award is a moot point.  I am rooting for him.  I will leave you with this; when asked if he would rather win the Rhodes Scholar or the heisman trophy he chose the Rhodes Scholar without question.  Continue to live like no one is watching and hit the books harder than the playbook!

Pirates, and mormons, and points oh my!

Today I decided to do some actual research and a little bit of real writing.  I wanted to introduce every one not from west texas to Mike Leach.  He is the coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders and considered an offense genius.  But there is alot you might not know about ol Coach Leach so I am going to fill you in.  

Leach is aproduct of his college football enviroment although he didnt play a down of college football.  Mike Leach, a practicing memeber of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was delighted at the oppurtunity to attend Brigham Young university.  In the early eightys while at BYU he was fascinated with the pass orientred Norm Chow offense of the Cougars in those days.  It is then that he started to develop his own version of the spread.  After graduation Leach went on to get a law degree at Pepperdine University but his love of high powered offenses never died.

He started his coaching career as an offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan.  He also coached at Division 2 powerhouse Valdosta State before breaking into the ranks of division one coaching at Kentucky. While at Kentucky he turned tim Couch into an NFL draft pick almost single handedly.  His greatest oppurtunity came shortly afterward when he got the Offensive Coordinator job at OKlahoma.  While calling the plays under Bob Stoops he turned mediocre Josh Heupl into an All-American quaterback.  The Oklahoma offense under Leach was one consisitantly of the best in the country.  

Mike Leach got the Texas Tech job in 2000.  He implemented his pass happy offense immediately.  His quaterback Kliff Kingsbury racked up stats and his team racked up wins, going 6-4 and never looking back.  Leach has now had 9 consecutive winning seasons.  His teams have set more than 15o NCAA and Big 12 records.  Three of his quaterbacks have won the Sammy Baugh awards yet still no Heisman.  Graham Harrell however is the only quaterback that is not considered a system quaterback.  This system is viewed by outsiders as a complex pass heavy version of the spread.  The offense has only 8 basic plays.  Most of the plays have various read options for both the quaterback and the recievers.  It is about the excutions of these plays.  Mike Leach doesnt change his offense for the team he plays against, just the reads.

Mike Leach may be a genius and he may not be but he is definately a character.  His laid back demaeanor and goofy anecdotes make him one of the funnest interviews. His inclination for pirates is strangely intriguing. He is friends with Donald Trump which is crazy in and of itself.  He also thinks that their should be a 64 team college football playoff.   He is arguably one of the craziest and smartest coaches in the NCAA. So in my opinion Mike Leach is not an offensive genius, he is a pirate loving goofball with thick skin and a thin playbook.

Live like no one is watching and GUNS UP bandwagon fans!

  

SPENCER LARSON

If you dont recognize the name in the Headline that is ok.  Spencer Larson is a 6th round pick playing for the Denver Broncos.  The reason he is the headline because he is awesome.  This week in the game against the Falcons Spencer started at fullback and linebacker and on EVERY special team.  Spencer is on of those guys that I spoke about last week.  He is one of the workers in the NFL.  He did well today. He lead the special team in tackles, had seven tackles on defense, and had a great day blocking for Peyton Hillis, who started at running back despite being the regular fullback for the Broncos, and Tatum Bell.  I love this NFL story.  Way to go Spencer and thanks for giving regular guys a reason to still believe in the NFL.  In other news the Broncos won, the Cowboys won, and the Titans stayed undefeated.

There were other places in sports that deserve some attention.  I have to give a shout out to Carl Edwards of NASCAR.  Thats right I am still a hillbilly.  Carl Edwards was second in the point standings at the start of the day.  To win the cup he would have to lead the most laps and win the race and hope that Jimmy Johnson finsihed worse than 35th.  Carl won the race and led the most laps, thusly doing all he could, but Johnson finished 18th I believe to wrap up his third straight title.  Congratulations to both drivers.  But it brings up the age old question; if you are a dynasty in a sport that no one cares about are you still a dynasty? We may never know because we will never be watching!

Yall continue to live like no one is watching and watch for falling stocks they can hurt you! 

What a finish and BUS Standings

College football was intriguing and exciting again this week.  The whole BCS top 25 played unranked teams except Florida who destroyed South Carolina. LSU had to come from 28 down in the 4th quater and won.  Now usually if you struggle against an unranked team you get moved down, but good teams win in the face of adversity and thats what LSU did.  Maryland and UNC had a defensive battle and that was fun to watch.  In the family fued I went 8-2 as did John and Elysa, picking solely on mascots, went 6-4.  Taking us to 14-16, 15-5, and 14-6 respectively.  Tebow kept up his late heisman push and Georgia won a close one in the grudge match against Auburn.  With all this normality I almost didnt know what to do with the BUS top 25 but here it is.

BUS Standings

1.) Texas Tech

2.) Alabama

3.) Texas

4.) Florida

5.) Oklahoma

6.) Utah

7.) Boise State

8.) Penn State

9.) USC

10.) OSU

11.) Georgia

12.) MIzzou

13.) Ball State

14.) BYU

15.) Oklahoma State

16.) Michigan State

17.) TCU

18.) Cincinatti

19.) LSU

20.) Oregon State

21.) Oregon

22.) Pitt

23.) Maryland

24.) Georgia tech

25.) Boston College

On a much sadder note, USC beat Stanford and have a legitimate shot at making the National Title game.  That BLOWS! Live like no one is watching and eat your Flutie Flakes! 

Protect our youth BOYCOTT UFC!

Good morning and welcome to what i like to call Christmas once a week! Saturdays make me happy.  And you know what I am most excited about, no not that Gameday is at an historically black college for the first time, its that offensive lineman are getting their own spots on sportcenter and Gameday.  That is fucking awesome.  It is almost guaranteed if you give a fat guy the spotlight he will almost always say something stupid.  Love those fatties!  Keep your eye on that Florida South carolina game.  I still think it might be a nail-biter, you know that Steve Spurrier has only lost 6 times in the Swamp in his whole coaching career, however he is 0-1 there with gamecocks and they are 0-16 there since the teh Gators started playing South Carolina.  Should be a fun one.  Enjoy your saturday and live like no one is watching. Oh and since I am still trying to figure out this podcast shit and I love hearing myself talk, I am posting the picks on the podcast.  Hey john SHAZAAM!

Dont bet on my picks and the Family fued returns

 Another beautiful day of college football is only a few hours away.  Sorry about not writing last night but I was too busy answering your angry emails about my sports movies.  HEY JOHN; SHAZAAM! Anyway here are the picks for this week, as well as the family fued won by elysa last week.

1.) Michigan v. Northwestern- Northwestern got blown out last week by Ohio State.  They really had trouble with a mobile quaterback.  Sheridan is starting agin this week for Michigan and he is more of a threat to run than Steven Threet. Michigan is finally looking like they are figuring out the spread.  They jumped out early on Penn State and scored alot in the loss to Purdue.  I think this will continue and Northwestern may not have an answer.  Maybe just maybe....MICHIGAN

2.) Notre Dame v. Navy- Notre dame is really not a bad team. They might be the most inconsisitent team in college football but they really are not bad.  They still need one win to be bowl eligible.  Navy is an actual good team.  They are disciplined on defense, efficient on offense and they are better than they were last year when they beat the Irish for the first time in forty some odd years.  With all that said Notre Dames young defense got a first hand lesson in how to stop the spread with last years game as a how not to.  And on top of that Charlie Weis will resume calling the offensive plays this week.  I think it might just be enough.  NOTRE DAME.

3.) Texas v. Kansas- Texas looks to have gotten back on track in the second half of the game last week.  They have a strong defense even with Bryan Orakpo out for the second straight week.  Kansas has a great offense but just gives up too many points.  A clicking Texas offense is almost impossible to stop.  TEXAS

4.) Georgia v. Auburn- Auburn is great on defense but down right awful on offense.  Georgia is still a good team despite giving up alot of points to both Florida and Kentucky.  However Auburn can not score so that point is moot.  I think Auburn can play stiff defense and keep it cose but, GEORGIA

5.) UNC v. Maryland- North carolina has alot of weapons on offense and can score alot of different ways.  They have looked very inconsistent but they have continued to win. However here is something you may not know; Maryland is 5-0 at home this year outscoring opponents 153 to 82.  they are also 3-0 verse the top 25.  And as John said this is the week they bring their whole team. Maryland shows up in big games and that wont change this week.  MARYLAND

6.) BYU v. Air Force- Since their dismantling at the hands of TCU, BYU has flown under the radar.  They are still a very dominant offensive team.  Air Force like the rest of the service academis play consistent discplined football.  I just dont think they have enough athletes to keep this one close.  BYU

7.) Minnesota v. Wisconsin- I know this is an oxymoron, but these are two very good Big 10 schools.  Minnesota  has alot of weapons on offense and they play as a unit on defense.  Wisconsin has one of the strongest running games in college football.  Also Minnesota has given up alot of rushing yards to both MIchigan and Northwestern over the last two weeks. WISCONSIN

8.) South Carolina v. Florida-  Yall were nervous werent you.  No I am not picking South Carolina to upset Florida.  I learned my lesson.  Yes South Carolina has a great defense.  Yes their offense has come alive with Garcia at quaterback.  BUT Florida scores a shit ton.  THats right a shit ton.  This is at the swamp and South Carolina cannot score enough points even if their defense has the game of the season.  FLORIDA

9.) USC v. Stanford- This game breaks my heart.  We all know how I feel about Stanford.  USC has a stonewall defense and even though they have shown signs of inconsistency they are a really good offense as well. Not to mention Pete Carroll hates Jim Harbaugh and will be looking to run up the score.  USC

10.) Mississippi State v. Alabama- I am still not sold on Alabama.  They struggled last week against a tough defense, and this week will be no different.  After such an emotional win their will be a slight hangover.  MSU has shown no signs of life on offense but Coach Croom seems to have the Tide's number beating them each of the last two years.  Alabama is ripe for an UPSET. MISSISSIPPI STATE    

Family Feud

elysa        john                 ME

NW       NW                     Michigan

Navy       Navy               Notre Dame

Texas      Texas             Texas

Auburn    Georgia         Georgia

UNC        Maryland           Maryland

Air Force    BYU            BYU

Wisconsin   MInnesota Wisconsin

Florida      Florida           Florida

USC           USC                 USC

Alabama     Alabama      Alabama

Enjoy your saturday and live like no one is watching, you know like an Ivy league game!

BCS BUSTER MOVIES!

Right now there is a huge controversy over the BCS and which teams are actually the best.  To most of us it would seem that a playoff would fix all the comtroversy. But with a top 25 and only an eight team playoff, that is the only option that seems feasible, how would you decide who was in the top 8.  Would the so-called BCS busters in the top eight, i.e. Utah, be allowed to participate in hte playoff?

All these are great questions, and if you want the answers please listen to the podcast. (shameless ploy) Todays topic is the top 25 sports movies.  Now this list is another big controversy among sports fans so I would like to add a disclaimer: THese are my top 25 movies and are in no particular order.  Now the requirements to make the list are as simple as any sports movie, they must be inspiring andriveting.  My sports movies must have a hint of drama and comedy.  After I list MY top 25 sports movies.  i will also list some BCS busters.  These are movies that arent that great but definately have som qualities of top 25 sports movies.  So here it goes. If you would like email me with  your top 25 additions or subtractions as well as some other BCS busters that I might of left off my list just let me know.

Bell up top 25 sports movies

1.) hoosiers

2.) The Longest Yard (original)

3.) Rocky II

4.) Remember The Titans

5.) We Are Marshall

6.) Ali

7.) Miracle

8.) Rudy

9.) Million Dollar Baby

10.) Field of Dreams

11.) Raging Bull

12.) Cinderella Man

13.) The Hurricane

14.) Jerry Maguire

15.) The Natural

16.) The Legend of Bagger Vance

17.) The Hustler

18.) Color of Money

19.) Prefontaine

20.) Bryan's Song

21.) Chariots of Fire

22.) Without Limits

23.) The Four Minute Mile

24.) Days of Thunder

25.) Any Given Sunday

Once again those selections are in no particular order so that you wont have any more reason to bash my sports knowledge.  Now here are the BCS buster movies.

1.) Bull Durham

2.) Replacements

3.) Sandlot

4.) Rocky Balboa

5.) Caddyshack

6.) Necessary Roughness

7.) Against the Ropes

8.) Longest Yard (remake)

9.) League of Their Own

10.) Leatherheads

11.) Talledega Nights

12.) Semi-pro

13.) Blades of Glory

14.) Poolhall Junkies

Well there they are.  Remember to live like noone is watching and waste some time listening to the podcas.

Cheers!

I would like to take a quick moment to be cliche.  On veterans day I would like to do something we should do everyday and acknowledge all of our brave and selfless veterans.  Everytime there is a war to fight there are always better men and women than me there to fight it.  It is because of you I can write this blog, yell at the bar, and argue civil liberties.  In all this historical election talk it is forgotten that it is you all who make this country great.  The men and women of our military that have gone to war, and even those of you who were lucky enough not to have gone.  I would like to send a very special thank you to; Randy Brown, Chris Ferrell, John Brown, Rusty Williams, Shaylur Berry, and AAron C. Austin (RIP).  To the many others that are out there, once again I say THANK YOU!

Now some sports news.  Here are the ten things you might have missed or just dont care about this sports weekend.

1.) The 49ers played hard and the Coaches blew the game

2.) Pittsburgh lost the game on a botched Hail Mary.  

3.) The Cardinals are number one in the NFC west and won their first game on Monday Night since 1985

4.) Titans are UNDEFEATED!

5.) Charlie Weis is about to loose his job, maybe because he is 27-19 in his NOtre Dame career and 8-13 in the last two years.

6.) College basketball has started.

7.) The Patriots without Tom Brady and the Jets with Brett Farve are tied for first place in the AFC East.

8.) Baseball starts in 5 months

9.) College football is a big mess.

10.) I WON A FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME, I AM NOW 1-9 on the season!

Live like no one is watching and stay tuned for this weeks podcast.

On the Defensive

Because the Gators have already earned their spot in the SEC title game people are overlooking the game they have this week.  Florida is playing a South Carolina in a battle that essentially means nothing in the SEC but could mean a great deal in the still scrambled BCS picture.  It seems alot of people are already assuming that Florida will show up in the SEC title game with the one loss.  I say not so fast football fans.  This could be a very big game this weekend.  Lets take a quick look at the participants.

The South Carolina gamecocks have quietly crept into the top 25.  They lost close games to Georgia, a hot Vanderbilt team, and LSU.  All those games were decided by a touchdown.  Steve Spurrier who is often regarded as an offensive genious.  But this year his team is getting it done on defense.  Spurrier has yet to have a definate answer at quaterback, which is usually his area of expertise.  In thier loses, SC has scored a combined  41 poinst and has given up only 62. That breaks down to right at 20 points a game in their losses.  Thier offense shows signs of life here and there and then looks dead all the other time.  

Florida is the exact opposite.  They scored atleast 50 points in the last 3 games.  There defense is just destroying people.  They really might be the best overall team in the world.  Thats right the WORLD!  With all the hyperbole and overreaction it has to be said that these games are played on Saturdays for a reason.  We have seen some wildness and with the fact that Florida has maybe nothing to play for and SC is trying to stay in the top 25.

There is also the Steve Spurrier effect.  Steve as you know played and coached at the University of Florida nad will be headed back into the SWAMP as the leader of the Gamecocks.  The Gators have already lost there this year and have already lost to the Gamecocks. 

Watch the game and Live like noone is watching.  

The Journey

I would like to start this blog off by apologizing for my skepticism.  I spend alot of words hounding on professional football players.  The truth is that only 10 percent of the NFL are super stars.  The other 90 percent are guys who put their helmet and pads on and just got to work.   Its these guys that I believe are truly living the dream and I take my hat off to them.  They have to perform every week just to keep their jobs.

Every offseason the fans of all 32 teams have an arguement as to why their team can be number one.  Big free agent acquisitions and great draft day moves are fuel to the fire that burns inside the fan.  I love these moments.  Last year we had an undefeated team, the Patriots, and I hated it.  We also had a winless team, the Dolphins, and I wasnt too happy about that either.  You see I hate the Patriots and their fans about as much as I hate the USC trojans.  And teh fact that these idiots had a legitimate reason to say they were the best made me crazy.  With the Dolphins I liked Cam Cameron and after the Saban debaucle i wanted to see them do well.  I got my bitter sweet retribution because the Dolphins won one game and The Patriots lost the Big one.

This year is a very different scenario.  The undefeated team is the Titans.  They are getting it done with defense and good coaching.  I love the passion they bring every week. They play hard and they look good.  I would really like THIS team to be the one that goes all the way undefeated.  The winless team is the Lions.  And the only thing i can say here is who really gives a shit about the Lions.  I want to see them go winless just for the sole fact that i would get to witness something i have never seen before.  It would be great.  

There were some NFL games today but I didnt see most of them due to the fact I was at work.  It was a pretty regular day.  Most of the teams that were supposed to win did.  

TEXAS TECH PLAYS DEFENSE, NO I SWEAR!

Wow! It was another great day in college football.  Penn State no longer has to argue about the BCS, because they lost to an unranked team.  Graham Harrell threw fifty times and still completed eighty percent of his passes.  Thats just stupid.  Oh yeah and for good measure Texas Techs defense held Heisman hopeful Dez Bryant to under a hundred yards recieving.  I have a theory: If you have a a heisman hopeful, DO NOT BRING THEM TO LUBBOCK!  Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree are making it a two man race for theHeisman by the process of elimination. I went 4 and six in the football picks this week which puts me at 6 and 14 over all.  My brother John went 7-3 and my lovely girlfriend, who will now be the author of this stupid blog, went 8-2. Florida put 50 something on Vandy who has given up less than 30 in every other game this year.  Alabama had to win in overtime against an LSU team that Florida routed.  I think that might show you something about Alabama. USC won a close game which proves absolutely nothing.  Now before we get to the BUS standings I have 10 lessons that I learned today about College football

10.) Terrell Pryor can throw.

9.) USC has a GREAT defense.

8.) Iowa has no sentimental favorite.

7.) Oklahoma has an offense and thats good.

6.) Blue Turf+four different guys throwing touchdown passes=WIN.

5.) Notre Dame is a mess.

4.) Completing 70% of your passes for 5 touchdowns puts you second in the battle of the best quaterback in the Big 12.

3.) Tim Tebow can kick your ass.

2.) Michael Crabtree-enough said.

1.) The best way to pick college football games is by mascot.

Ok now the reason your all reading, Here it is the BUS top 25.

BUS STANDINGS

1.) Texas Tech

2.) Alabama

3.) Texas

4.) Florida

5.) Oklahoma

6.) Utah

7.) Boise State

8.) Penn State- the Big 1o is weak but I love ol' Joe Paterno

9.) USC

10.) Ohio State

11.) Georgia

12.) Mizzou

13.) Ball State

14.) BYU

15.) Oklahoma State

16.)  Michigan State

17.) North Carolina

18.) TCU

19.) LSU

20.) Cincinatti

21.) Oregon

22.) Pitt

23.) Oregon State

24.) Miami

25.) Tulsa

Well there it is.  Live like no one is watching and remember if your favorite team's mascot sucks, find another one like the Trojans, because that is a condom brand!

Nathan Brown Show

The link is up and running! Check out the podcast link in the top right hand corner of your screen!

College Football All DAY!

Good morning football fans.  Today we have a full day of College Football.  I will miss the afternoon games considering I am going to one of my own.  But I promise to watch highlights when I get home so that you can get teh caliber of expertise and analysis you have come accustomed.  That means you will all be getting the same old shit! A game to watch, beside teh obvious of course, is UNC versus Georgia Tech.  UNC is ranked 19 and Georgia Tech is 20.  They have two totally seperate styles.  UNC spreads it out and Georgia Tech runs the old triple option.  This should be a fun game to watch if you like old style college football.  Another one is FSU and Clemson.  Clemson is surging, they will not make it into the top 25 but they are playing for pride and that is just as important.  FSU could get beat today.  Watch your favorite teams and enjoy your saturday.  Live like no one is watching and support your community go watch a High School Football game next week!

PS- Jerry Sloan, Coach of the Utah Jazz won his 1000th game last night.  Congratulations Coach Sloan. You are truly a man of class and poise.  Jerry sloan is the longest tenured active coach in sports, that definately deserves some respect.  Way to go Jerry!

Pick-em and Family Fued!

OK I am trying to improve on my 2 and 10 record from last week.  I think I will do it because college football cant be that crazy two weeks in a row.  Or can it.  Without further rambling here are my picks.  

1.) Baylor vs. Texas- Texas might still be slightly emotionally drained.  After a tough loss to Texas Tech last week they are now at the hands of the BCS gods and no longer hold their own destiny in their hands.  Baylor is a very young athletic team but just dont have the talent to keep up with Texas.   Texas is too well coached and will win big. TEXAS!

2.) Ohio State vs. Northwestern-  With Terrell Pryor and Mike Kafka, the probable starter for Northwestern, these two teams have definate running threats at quarterbacks. If Bacher is ready then the Wildcats will have a proven leader in this game, if not Kafka ran for 200 yards last week.  Ohio State's defense constantly has problems with mobile quaterbacks.  Ohio State will continue those struggles this week.  NORTHWESTERN!

3.) Kansas vs. Nebraska- Nebraska has struggled this year.  Other than a close loss to Texas Tech they have shown no real signs of the dominant program they used to be.  On the other hand Kansas has found an offense again and it is dominant.  Kansas should win this game big.  KANSAS!

4.) Alabama vs. LSU- Suprisingly Alabama is still rolling under Nick Saban.  They have looked dominant at times.  LSU's once proud, strong defense has been devastated by other SEC teams.  Both of these teams have mediocre quaterbacks.  I think LSU's defense will play well and get some of their confidence back.  Alabama will win though close.  ALABAMA!

5.) Stanford vs. Oregon- Oregon is full of talent.  Their quaterback, Roper, can run all over the field and throws the ball well.  Stanford is just like their coach, mentally and physically tough.  They are playing for bowl eligibility.  The Pac-10 is weak and Stanford is just good enough to stay in the middle.  Oregon makes alot of mistakes.  STANFORD!

6.) Oklahoma State vs. texas Tech- This will be a shoot out.  I think it would be best if neither defense showed up.  Last year Graham Harrell threw for 600+ yards and still lost.  Oklahoma State has an incredible offense.  But as I said last week a much improved Texas Tech defense will be the difference.  This one will be close but Techs defense wil get the stop they need.  TEXAS TECH!

7.) Notre Dame vs. Boston College- This is game makes me sad.  It is a historically big game that means absolutely nothing.  Boston College is a mediocre team in a rebuilding year  and Notre Dame is a mediocre team in the middle of what seems like a Rebuilding decade.  This will resemble all of Notre Dame's games this year, it will be ugly.  NOTRE DAME!

8.) Cal vs. USC- I will make this pick with no bias. Really I promise.  USC continues to win despite the fact that they are only mediocre but their conference sucks so i guess that is not that impressive.  They are one of the most talented teams in the nation.  Cal has not looked convincing in one of their wins.  This will be a battle for dominance in the Pac-10 which is literally like a slap fight between two eight year old girls.  USC's talent will be toomuch for Cal. USC!

9.) Vanderbilt vs.  Florida (UPSET SPECIAL!)- Thats right let the emails pour in.  I am picking Vandy.  They are a good team in case you all forgot.  Sure Florida is fast and talented and really really good, but Vandy is scrappy. I think they will keep it close and pull this out at the end. VANDY VANDY VANDY!

10.) UNT vs. FAU (WHO CARES GAME)- I am picking this game only because I am going to it.  I am rooting for UNT and since I will be giving the pre-game speech (FALSE) they will win.  UNT!

FAMILY FUED

This is something new.  I let Elysa and John pick the games.  John actually did some research and some coin flipping.  Elysa jsut picked the coolest mascot.  Either way they are far inferior to my complete football analysis.

ME JOHN ELYSA

1.)TEXAS TEXAS TEXAS

2.)NW OSU NW

3.)KANSAS NEBRASKA NEBRASKA

4.)ALABAMA LSU LSU

5)STANFORD OREGON OREGON 

6.)TECH TECH TECH

7.)ND BOSTON COLLEGE BOSTON COLLEGE

8.)USC CAL USC

9.)VANDY FLORIDA FLORIDA

10.)UNT FAU FAU

My Hats in the ring or whatever!

I have decided to use my blog to announce my intention to apply for some of the open coaching positions in college football.  I know you think i would be brilliant at you favorite college but the job might not be open.  So lets not let any of the coaches who think they have job security sweat and just stick to the open jobs.  So follow with me if you will as I weigh the pros and cons of each job.

1.) Stanford- I know it is not open yet but Jim Harbaugh has expressed interest in the Oakland Raider job so let us just speak in hypotheticals for a moment.   I have strong ties to Stanford, my favorite quaterback is John Elway, I like trees, and well thats all.  The only down side to this job is that EVERYONE at that University is smarter than me including the maintenance staff!

2.) Clemson- This would be a great job for a new young coach.  The base at that team is young.  Also the recruiting oppurtinuties are astounding.  I could step in immediately and make that a bowl eligible team.  The major down side to this job is that their jerseys are awful.  I could never be associated with such ridiculous uniforms.  This job is out.

3.) Tennessee- The first major upside to this job is that is in the SEC.  A head coaching job in the SEC is a phenomal oppurtunity.  You can recruit easily due to the prominence of the conference and the team.  Two major downsides to this job are I dont think i could keep the job until the next manning came around and i really dont want to beat up Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Mike Richt, which is waht would probably happen if I met them in person. 

4.)Penn State- This is another job that is not open yet.  But i think Joe Pa might retire and taht would leave this positon open.  I would be the perfect candidate for a smooth transition for the team because I understand just as much about the spread offense and the BCS as Coach Paterno does, not to mention I have fragile hips.  The downside is that the guy who follows a legend never lasts and I would probably lose this job after the spring game of my first year when they realized that I hate  the Big 10 and love Michigan.

5.) Washington/washington State- Only one of these jobs are open.  But you see these teams are so abysmal they might as well combine the schools and hand me the reins.  I cant do any worse then the current staff right.  Major downside, there is no job security when you have a job where you cant recruit and therefore cant win.

6.) K-state- This maybe the most awesome job available out there to me.  I like the opportunity to coach in the Big 12.  I could beat texas every year and the opportunity for recruits would sky rocket.  Another major upside  to this job is that i would love to live in Manhattan....wait what it is Manhattan Kansas, oh no that sucks, Cant do that!

7.) Auburn Offensive Coodinater- Another great job that i would be great at.  I would have the amazing chance to bring the wish bone back to college football! Yeah I think this is the job I ll take because everyone would be dumbfounded by the simplicity of the mighty WISHBONE!

In some actual football news.  Utah beat TCU in a defensive struggle, The terps lost a heartbreaker and MY Denver Broncos pulled the game out and won in the last minute! Live like no one is watching and love your llamas!

HUGE GAMES!

Ok college football fans i have some great news for you!  TCU versus Utah tonight!  Although it is not on tv you can check it out at ESPN360.  I really honestly believe that TCU is a superior team and should be in the BIg 12 anyway.  I think their defense dominates Utah just like they dominated BYU.  I have learned a lesson and that is dont pick against this TCU team.  On another note big game in the ACC.  Maryland versus Virginia Tech.  I hope that Maryland wins and I will watch the game so I can see highlights of the TCU Utah Game. Stay tuned tonight I will be announcing my candidacy for a few high profile coaching jobs that are opened!

PS>  Brady Quinn Starts tonight for the Cleveland Browns against the Denver Broncos!

BALLS!

BCS buster hopeful Ball State plays tonight against NIU.  This might be the biggest test, ufortunately from them, of the season so far and may be their only chance to lose until they play Central Michigan at the end of the season.  NIU has a stifling defense and a great group of athletes, but I think the logical pick is Ball State because the first five letters still spell BALLS!  Thats my reasoning for their recent success and I am sticking to it.  Also they can smell that conference championship and undefeated  season.  I will be rooting tonight for the FIGHTING LETTERMAN"S or whatever the hell they are called.  GO BALLS!

Forward Progress

In football there is a forward progress rule which states; If a ball carrier is stopped and then pushed backwards the play is whistled dead and the ball will be advanced to the spot where runner was initially stopped.  Tonight I believe our country has moved forward.  Not simply because an African American so an immigrant was elected president, but because my generation, 18-30, proved, atleast for today, that we are not apathetic about our country.  But my hope and prayer is that our forward progress does not stop.

To my generation I urge you lets make this year's election a stepping as a stepping stone. Continue to take a growing interest in our nation.  We have elected Barack Obama, now we must hold him accountable.  And in four years I urge you all to line up and vote again.  Lets begin to pass on a pride in our country to our children.

To president elect Mr. Barack Obama.  I am impressed with your ability to ignite a nation.  You have lit fires under the asses of the young and changed the hearts and minds of the old.  No candidate has ever united voters from different demographics like you have done.  Please though, I beg of you, turn "Yes we Can" into "Yes we Did".  I, as hopefully most American, understand that this will take more than a year and quite possibly more than four.  But it is up to you to push us forward as a nation.  Do not let this historical election be the end of our forward progress.  Help this nation bridge the gap between the "Change we Need" and the "Change we Made".  As they tell running backs senator Obama, keep your legs churning, your shoulders down and your eyes up.  And whatever you do dont drop the ball.  I believe in you and this great country in which I reside.  Live like noone is watching and lets more forward, for the sake of our nation.    

Follow the Leader!

Today I was intrigued and elated as I watched the Phil Fulmer press conference in Tennessee.  For the most part the words that were said were normal political statements reserved for these usually boring necessities.  But as Coach Fulmer worked his way through a tearful explanation for his reasons for leaving after the season, the football players in the room showed their support for the beloved coach by applauding him as he struggled to find some of the words.  Then the players took their turns at the microphone describing their team as a family and that they will continue to play for the man wo brought them there.  This is what I love about college football.  Since it is not, or atleast less of, a business than the NFL we say more of an allegiance to the Coach.  In the NFL when a coach gets fired the players say things that will not get them fined like "Well this is best for the organization blah blah blah."  But even some of the players said that they were mad that Fulmer seemed to be forced into this position.  Fulmer has been at Tennessee for more than 35 years as a player, asst, and head coach.  His players love him.  And this is the case in most college atmospheres.  Within hours of Lute Olsen retiring from Arizona atleast three of the top recruits verbally commited to the program withdrew those commitments.  Lloyd Carr of MIchigan was pushed out after his inability to beat Ohio State and his players not only stepped up and beat a more talented Michigan team in their bowl game but they also carried him off the field in a moment so powerful that it will be forever one of my favorite sports memories.  And finally one of the most dis-heartening moments was when James Davis, running back at Clemson, struggled through tears to find the words to describe how he felt about Coach Bowdens midseason departure.  We have to remember that these are kids, young men struggling to find their way in life and they view their coaches as mentors guiding through this crazy path.  It is the magic of college football that draws me to it.  I want to say to all the HIgh School and College coaches please keep doing your best to mold quality young men, because although only a small part of them will be professional football players, and an even smaller part stars,  all of them will be men in America so help them accordingly.

By the time most of you all read this we will have a new President elect.  I hope that you all did what you felt neccessary today.  I hope that whoever wins will stop being a politician and begin to be a leader.  I am proud of my country and hope that she can bounce back from these tough times.  Live like no one is watching and support local high school football.

Public Service Anouncement

After seeing the two senators on the Monday NIght Football halftime show I was impressed with both of our candidates for the Presidency of the United States.  Barack Obama and John McCain were asked waht they would change in sports.  Senator Obama wants a playoff for college football, while Senator McCain wants to do more to end the use of Performance enhancing Drugs.  They both where relaxed and candid.  I will not sit here and lecture you on how it is your duty to vote.  Voting is a priveldge and it is your choice to whether partake or not.  Please take into account however that if you do not vote you do not get to complain about the state of our country.  So if you want to keep bitching about America please let your voice be heard! Good Luck to all of our Candidates for office and God Bless America!  Live like no one is watching.  

Blame it on the Buckeyes!

Hello faithful readers.  I have some slightly alarming news:  I am actually pleasantly surprised with the way that the BCS rankings looked this week.  Texas Tech jumped five spots after beating the number one team in the nation and settled in nicely at number 2, which is the only legitimate place to put them at the moment considering the meat of  their schedule is in front of them and Alabama is still undefeated in the SEC.  Equally notable was that USC dropped two spots which seems to be a result of their weak schedule.  With all that said I have decided to play devil's advocate and defend the leaders in the Big 10, a conference I continually attack for being weak, Penn State.  I think that if there is an argument to be made for this team to be number 2 I should be the one to make it due to my growing skepticism of the strength of the Big 10.  Remember as you read I am challenging my actual feelings about this team and their national ranks, so I am basically arguing with myself.  I am a fucking nut!

First of all I dont think that we can hold old grudges against this Penn State team.  As I watch them play I truly believe they are stronger than the Buckeyes were either time they played for the national championships.  Both last year and the year before the Big 10 was represented in the National Championship by the Buckeyes who were just completely dismantled by much faster and more athletic SEC teams. (Florida and LSU respectively.)  But, and this is a big one, Penn State can make an argument that they are equal or better to the previous years Buckeyes in both talent and coaching.  Plus The NIttany Lions run a very effective version of the spread which is the great equalizer according to one of my sources. (John good point!)  So let us put our skeptical hearts at rest and say that this Penn State team would represent the Big 10 better than it has been represented in the past and make for a better matchup against a Big 12 or SEC team.  They are faster on defense and equal on offense to The Buckeyes of yesteryear.

Now we come to the question of the strength of Penn State's schedule.  I say hogwash. If you win you win.  Other than Ohio State no team has really given them a scare.  Michigan jumped on them early but Joe Pa's team got it together and that game turned into a rout.  Penn State does what you ask of them every week and that is win and win with style.  They beat up on an Oregon State team that went on a week later to beat the mighty USC Trojans.  They havent beaten any ranked teams other than Ohio State but they have looked good winning.  The play a MIchigan State team at the end of the year that might be unranked by the time they get there if the Spartans dont start playing with a little more consistency.  The Schedule and the conference is weak but does that mean the team that wins said conference is weak as well? Who am I to decide?

The third and final factor I think that needs to be discussed is the coach, Joe Paterno.  He is right now to me the sentimental favorite, and if he goes undefeated it will be hard to vote against him, weak schedule or not.  Remember two thirds of the BCS standings are calculataed by actual human votes and it is a commonly know fact that Ol' Joe Pa is well liked and much deserving, if he stays undefeated, of a shot at the National Title.  That seems to be increasingly true as we are starting to see teams getting rid of their long-tenured coaches due to those coaches inability to adapt to the new college game. Which Paterno is doing it seems.  If I had a vote I would find it almost impossible to vote against Coach Paterno. 

Do I truly believe that the Big 10 deserves to have a team in the National Championship game? Probably not. I think they should atleast add a Conference Championship to their season if they truly want consideration.  As for the specific topic of this Penn State team I would have liked to see them play a tougher non-conference schedule and maybe look better against Ohio State.  But in all actuality I dont see how you could, in good conscience, keep them out of the National Title game if they are the only undefeated team from a BCS conference left at the end of this season. Which is very likely considering the tough roads some of the other teams have left.  I guess we will see how it all plays out.

Enjoy these thoughts to ponder and live like no one is watching and play like your in the Big 12.   

Breaking News!

Philip Fulmer, coach of the Tennesee Volunteers, stepped down today effective at the end of the season. All though this is an honorable move he will be sorely missed. We are seeing a changing of the guard of sorts in College football stay tuned for tonights blog and let the lame duckiness begin!

Pro-Football Breakdown

Pro- football did what it usually does this morning and bored the shit out of me for the most part.  But there were a few highlights, and lowlights, so lets break it down.  Early in the day Farve played like shit and still won.  Also Chicago lost there starting quarterback, Kyle Orton.  Now that is bad for Bears fan, even though they won against the hapless Lions, but it is great for the rest of fans.  you see the Bears back-up is Rex "The Wreck" Grossman.  The reason I call him "The Wreck" is he is literally like passing a car crash on the side of the highway.  You dont wanna see the damage but you just have to look.  One week Rex can throw 18 touchdowns and the next week throw fifty picks. For all you Bears fans pray that Orton is ok.  On a lighter note the upstart Titans stole a sloppy game in overtime from the Packers.  Also the Bengals beat the Jaguars and earned their first win, I was truly upset here because now the odds of a winless team are cut in half.  Of course the Cowboys and Broncos lost.  The Cowboys continue to prove that it takes more than talent to win in the NFL.  The good news here is I have a tryout for the backup QB job there in Dallas and I think given the chance I could win the starting job against the Redskins.  In the night game the Colts ground out a win over the so-so Patriots.  Alot of otehr shit happened but do you truly care.  So thats the summary of Pro-football. 

IN college news Central florida lost to East Carolina in overtime.  That last sentence was more interesting than the whole previous paragraph.  Thanks for reading and continue to live like noone is watching.  

TECH NUMBER ONE IN THE NEW BELLY UP STANDINGS!

What a day of college football.  We saw some overtime and last second finishes.  I went 2 for 10 with my picks and the 21 teams in the top 25 that were in action today where only 13-8, including number one Texas who lost to Texas Tech.  Texas Tech showed some moxy by beating holding off the number one team in the nation in the last minute of the game.  My top 25 my not resemble the BCS but it is the way it should look.  To be the best you have to beat the best and I think that Texas Tech did that.  Also I believe that florida proved today that they are the best one-loss team in the nation.  2 big wins against SEC opponents in the last 3 weeks proves they are back on track. Also the games this week proved that we need to have a playoff system in place. So without futher ado here is the BUS!  

1.)  Texas Tech

2.) Alabama

3.) Penn State

4.) Florida

5.) Oklahoma

6.) Texas

7.) OK State

8.) Boise State

9.) Ohio State

10.) TCU

11.)Utah- didnt move because they looked suspect against New Mexico

12.) USC

13.)  Georgia

14.) LSU

15.) Missouri

16.) Ball State

17.) BYU

18.) Michigan State

19.) North Carolina

20.) Florida State

21.) Maryland

22.) Kansas

23.) Cal 

24.) West Virgina

25.) Pitt 

On a much sadder note, Michigan lost again today ending their chance to extend their 33 straight bowl game streak.  Let us all take a moment of silence....OK live like no one is watching and wait til next week for more big games!

Good morning

Wake up sleepy heads we are only an hour from College Gameday. I have a correction to make to last nights pick-em plus i wanted to give you some things to watch for during todays games.  First Shady will play for Pitt today although it doesnt change my pick.  Some things to watch for today, West virginia is playing Uconn for a chance to get into the top 25 and get that top spot in the Big East.  That should be a spectacular game to watch.  Keep an eye on bothe New Mexico and New Mexico State.  They are both playing BCS busters (Utah and BYU respectively) and are both known to spoil seasons.   New Mexico is decent and NMSU is garbage but I think it might be something to watch for.  Also look for a down and out, not to mention overrated, LSU to struggle at Tulane.  If they dont jump ahead early it could be a long day for the Bayou BEngals.  Of course watch Florida verse Georgia today.  Its always fun to see two teams that hate each other.  I think Urban Meyer might run the scoreboard outta lights tonight.   ANd the game of the week, of course, Texas and Tech!  Some things to watch for are these, Texas' defensive secondary is banged up and Graham Harrell will pick you apart if he gets the chance.  Texas is ending their tough road and Tech is just starting theirs with, Oklahoma state and Oklahoma in the next two weeks.  I think Tech will win if they dont get caught up in the hype and you keep the warrior Colt MCcoy under wraps, which is easier said then done.  Enjoy the saturday and I will have the Belly up standings, or BUS, at the end of the day. Call me with all of your questions.  I will also be checking my email if you dont have the CELLY!  Live like no one is watching and dont forget to fall back!

Pick-em and more!

Well tonight is the night!  I am picking some of the big games, or atleast big to me, games on saturday.  Dont ask me to pick pro games because I am not that interested.  If you havent realized i am a big college football fan and NFL doesnt mean as much to me.  On the subject of college football, before I make my picks, I have to speak on my favorite sports moment so far this year.  In a thursday night game between the Bulls of  south Florida and the Bearcats of cincinnati, Marshawn Gilyard tried to catch a pass in the corner of the end zone.  He barreled through an opening in the wall seperating the fans from the field and flattened some pour kid.  Instead of running back and argueing the catch he took off his helmet and lifted the kid in a heartwarming embrace.  I loved it! It was a moment that should be exalted in sports.  It meant more to me than who would win the heisman or any other lame bullshit that goes on this season in any level of football.  It showed character and i am proud of this young man.  We need more like him! Ok now on with this week's picks.

1.) Texas v. Texas Tech-The first agument of course is that Texas looks like a dominant team this year.  But this game is in Lubbock and Tech did look great on defense last year.  They have also given up very few sacks this year.  I am picking TECH.  They will outscore Texas and end up the front runner in the Big 12 south.

2.) Florida v. Georgia-This is a showdown for SEC supremacy.  After last year this has become a giant grudge match.  Florida feels that their pride was hurt.  I think that Florida with , harvin, demps, and rainey, are too fast.  I am picking Florida and big.

3.) Oregon v. Cal-This is a big battle for second place in the Pac-10, not a great conference but atleast its something.  Plus if Cal wins they might get the chance to bust into the top 25.  With all that said i think Oregon and that high powered running game will run away with it.  Oregon is the winner.

4.) FSU v. Georgia Tech-This is a big game in the wide open ACC.  Both of these teams need a win to stay available for the top spot in the ACC.  Georgia is much improved but I think FSU has more to play for.  I pick FSU.

5.) Miami (FL) v. Virginia-Another big game in the ACC.  If Miami wins they are in a tie for first in the ACC coastal.  A win for Virginia means they will keep their own hope alive.  Miami is fast but I think Virginia will pull out the victory over the younger MIami squad.  I pick Virginia.

6.) Northwestern v. Minnesota-This is a battle for that third spot in the Big 10.  Minnesota is trying to prove that they belong in the top of that conference and Northwestern wants everyone to know that they weren't a fluke at the beginning of the year.  I think Minnesota will win this game.

7.) Notre Dame v. Pitt-These two teams are trying to break into the top 25.  Pitt has looked like a top 25 team at times but without Shady Mccoy I dont think they have a chance.  Notre dame has flashes of a good team.  I think they will win this game.  I am picking Notre Dame.

8.) Tulsa v. Arkansas-Although Arkansas looks like garbage they are still an SEC team.  I think that Tulsa might be exposed this week.  Although Arkansas is middle of the roas i think that their defense might give Tulsa a run.  Arkansas will look good but Tulsa will win.  I pick tulsa!

9.) Utah v. New Mexico-this is my upset alert pick.  Utah might be looking forward to their big game next week against TCU.  New Mexico is a good team and if you over look them they could sneak a win! Obviously since this is my Upset alert I am picking New Mexico.

10.) North Texas v. Western Kentucky- this is my who cares pick.  Western Kentuck has atleast won a game which might make them the hands down favorite.  But UNT is a texas team and you just never know.  I am Picking WKU!