Hey Look, Yet Another Sports Blog

Last time I thought about posting on here was January, and I’ve wanted too, but time constraints have forced me to make this blog go dormant. So why am I attempting to write now that I have driven everyone away? I’m at the NCAA tournament following North Carolina. Last year I followed UNC as well and did a post about the trip. In total I think I did 20, and some were good, some were not and the rest gave people an inside look at how I do my job at a big event like this.

I’ll try to recreate some of that this year and hopefully the NCAA won’t shut me down, more on that later.

Note to Oklahoma, avoid the Fiesta Bowl! For the second straight year Oklahoma lost to a team they were suppose to beat. West Virginia beat the now over-rated Sooners 48-28. After the Rich Rodriguez left I thought West Virginia was dead in the water, but Bill Stewart rallied the team and made Oklahoma look like Duke. The win was so impressive West Virginia took off the interim title off of Bill Stewart and his is now head coach. To top it Bob Stoops is now 2-2 in BCS games, he is losing his luster and I wonder how many years he has left before he gets fired for not winning a bowl game.

 More importantly, this is another bad game in a BCS bowl. So far we have had a 31 point, 32 point and a 2o point blow out. With only two BCS bowls left they better be good, if not there is one more reason for people to hate this system. Wait, maybe if the last two games are awful we can actually get a playoff system.

I was all geeked out for all day football and look what happened, the one game everyone thought would be a blow out was an upset and almost everyother one… well sucked it hard.

 I thought Michigan would roll over and play dead against the Florida fighting Tim Tebows, but I forgot two things:
1. Lloyd’s last game
2. Heisman curse

Both of those things created a cocktail of destruction and Michigan came back to win in the final minutes. I wished I could have watched the entire game, but I was forced to watch outdoor hockey. The one thing I could not understand is why was Rich Rodriguez running around like he owns the join? Come on Rich, Lloyd’s still there, you should be at home with your lawyer trying to figure out how to not give back WVU all that money. Even with Rich there I thought it was great that the Michigan seniors carried Lloyd off the field, nice ending to the man’s career.

Now to the big games of the day that were total blow outs, first up Mizzou and Arkansas. I don’t think there was a non BCS bowl hang over for the Tigers, they came out and laid the wood to the razorbacks. The interesting thing was how Mizzou did it, by running, Mizzou’s passing game is deadly, but they didn’t need it with the 323 yards rushing lead by senior Tony Temple’s 281 yards and a Cotton Bowl record 4 rushing TDs. Then Darren McFadden only had 105 and a single touchdown. I think Mizzou should have been in a BCS game and now, we will never know how good they really where.

Hello Hawaii welcome to New Orleans here’s your ass kicking! I though this game would be closer than the 41-10 score, but Colt Brennan was under Georgia’s D more than the cheerleading squad after the game. I don’t blame him as much as everyone else on the team was not good enough to be there. I am a fan of the “non-BCS” teams and I love to see the big boys getting a lose to an “inferior” team, yet I knew Hawaii was over matched. Georgia could have been playing Ohio State had the pollsters not jumped LSU over everyone. Yet again another game that the BCS miss handled. The better match up for Hawaii would have been Kansas or West Virginia.

 Going into the Rose Bowl the Big Ten was 1-1 on the day and everyone knew would be 1-2 after the game. I know the Rose Bowl has tradition, but what about the tradition of a good game. Illinois was not deserving of a BCS title game, I guess it was suppose to be Georgia, but tradition won out and suck ensued. I after watching these two blow outs Georgia v USC would have been a great game and instead the BSC looks like clown shoes and has lost even more credibility with an already waining nation.

 The BCS keepers better hope that the three remaining games are close and exciting, if not we are at least on step closer to an “and one” game.

The NFL regular season is over and my theory about the NFC and the AFC held true. you had to go 10-6 in the AFC and 9-7 in the NFC. Somehow, Washington made it into the playoffs. I thought they were done when Joe Gibbs decided to call that second time out. Yet, the spirit of Shawn Taylor has given the ‘Skins life and they now have to play Seattle in a very winnable game. If Joe Gibbs wants to stay as coach I think he has to win this game. Seattle has not looked good in recent weeks and could go down easy.

In the AFC the Cleveland Browns did get 10 wins, but they lost to Cincinnati in week 16 and that did them in. They had no say if they made the playoffs, everything was up to the Tennessee Titans and they beat the Colts’ players that aren’t good enough to start. Jim Sorgi looked like a really bad back up. If I were the Colts front office I’d find a new backup. If Peyton goes down, the Colts are in serious trouble with Sorgi at the helm.  When you let Kerry Collins beat you, you know your time is up.

OK Norv Turner you turned things around after going 5-5 you ended the season on a 6 game win streak. The big challenge will be if you can win a playoff game. Marty Schottenheimer had a better regular record yet lost in the first round. If Vince Young can not go, you may actually get that win. If he plays, it’s a toss up, I think the key will be Phillip Rivers and Shawn Merriman, if Rivers can play solid the Chargers will roll. I think they just need to had it to LT and let him run all day. The reason I mention Merrimen is I love the fact the year after he gets caught cheating with steroids he has been blown up twice this year. Once by Maurice Jones-Drew and then by the entire Titans O-line. He complained that Jeff Fisher called “a hit” on him, but I think he was just embarrassed by being destroyed by a big hit. Will Shawn ‘roid up to get his revenge or will he get crushed again. I’m thinking he s going for option number 1.

Finally congratulations to the New England Patriots for going 16-0. That was a great come from behind win, but you are not done yet. Since my Bears are sitting at home, I’m rooting for the Pats, I want the 72 Dolphins to sit down and forever put away the champagne. During the last game against the Giants, seen on NFL Network, NBC, CBS and I even think it was on cable access, Bryant Gumble asked if the Pats lose in the playoffs would it diminish what they did in the regular season… YES IT DOES! The goal is to be perfect, when you lose in the post season you still have a loss on your record… you are no longer perfect. The Pats need to finish what they started to be considered in the same class as the 72 Dolphins.

Why yes they are! Due to some personal connections which I married into, my wife and I are going to New Orleans for the big game. Also if you did not know I am a Bowling Green Alum and they are playing the day before in Mobile at the GMAC Bowl and we have 15 dollar endzone seats. So I will get to go to two bowl games and only paid 35 dollars (5 dollar handling)! I will try and do some updates while on the road, but it will all depend on internet connection and busy we get.

 You may also notice a lot more facial hair, I normally have a goatee, but I am growing a bowl game beard. It’s like with hockey when they get to the playoffs everyone stops shaving. I’m doing the same, I’m trying to give my teams luck. Go BG Go OSU!

Most of you have probably already heard this, but I still think it’s funny. At a pep rally for the Alamo Bowl one of the student leaders (Weird cheerleader guys in military outfits) said Joe Paterno was on his death bed and someone needed to to find him a casket. Yeah I know JoePa is old, blah blah blah… that’s not the funny part. The funny part is JoPa himself, his quote is just, well JoePa: “I think everybody has to take things with a grain of salt… Some young guy went up there, trying to be funny. Maybe he’s accurate, I don’t know.” He doesn’t know if he is dead or not, the only think he knows is when he has to go to the bathroom.

He’s 81 and still coaching so I can’t say too much, I’ll be lucky to be alive at that age. Also, if he leaves, college football won’t be as fun. Who can we make fun of? Bobby Bowden? Yeah, but he doesn’t do anything crazy. I know deadspin.com loves to joke around with Ron Zook, but that’s only funny to them. I say well let JoePa stay as long as he wants and then we  pull a Weekend At Bernies. We must have Joe Paterno for ever!

Not only has Rich Rodriguez’s home town of Grant Town has taken down the “Home Of Rich Rodriguez” sign’s his beloved Alma mater has decieded to sue his tookus. West Virginia is asking for the 4 millions byout that he owes the university. I am glad WVU is going after that money. I am tired of seeing coaches up and leave with out consiquenses. If a university fires the guy they have to buy him out. Yet most of the times it seems these coaches can up and walk when every they feel like. It also doesn’t hurt that he did this in a douche kind of way. He better hope the judge is a Marshall grad not a Mountaineer. I could see the Herd judge letting him off the hook why the WVU judge is going to make him give his first born.

Even though I am in North Carolina I love me some Mid American Conference football, why you might ask? I have no clue. Yes, Bowling Green is in the MAC, but every-time a MAC team makes it to a bowl game it’s either a blow out, the bad way or both teams scored a combined billion points and someone wins late in the game. Last night Central Michigan Fat PuntersChippewas played Purdue and the game was crazy. Purdue was up 34-13 AT THE HALF! Most bowl games never see that in a game. Curtis Painter of the Boilermakers had already thrown for over 300 yards by then, but you can’t keep the Chips down. They come back and tie it at 41 all, Purdue came back scored a touchdown and CMU appeared to be dead in the water and needed a long third down to keep the drive going. They get it, throw another laser down the middle of the field. My favorite play of the drive is Dan LaFevour (CMU’s QB) he scrambles and gets 15 yards down field, Purdue looked stunned that he would run.

At this point Chad the sports guy is telling me “They better not score to fast.” CMU scores with 1:09 on the  clock. Purdue, wants to end the game and they drive down the field and get the ball to the 25 yard line. Everyone is wondering who Purdue’s kicker is? Is he any good? Will he chock? We see a graphic that he has hit 85%… game. He hits a game winning field goal with no time on the clock. I love MAC football, even though they lost

If you have not noticed, I’ve been away for a couple of weeks, part of the reason was burn out. This is not the only blog I write so I get writer’s block a lot faster than normal. I’ve also had a couple hectic work weeks, where I did not get a chance to write even if I wanted to and then to top it all off, I went back to Ohio to see family for an early Christmas. Of course, this happened dunning a buys sports season with a lot of crazy and idiotic things happening. So like I do on another blog I will be doing a Random things post here. This is where I wrap up a lot of little items or things I missed in one ginormous post, have fun and you might want to print this one out and take it to the bathroom, it’s going to be a long post.

 Micheal Vick
Finally the nation can move on, Mr. Vick is in prison. A lot of people where upset that he went away for 23 months and there are some people who think it’s not enough time. I’m just glad for the most part that this is all over. For those of you who think he deserved less, just remember this he fail a drug test, lied to the judge and has not helped with information. To those who thinks he deserves more, I think two years is just long enough, it’s federal prison and he will have to serve most of that time. It’s not like he’s going to a minimum security prison, he’s going to Shawshank style prison.

Bobby Petrino
Wow, all I can say is wow. I know the Falcons job turned out to be the job you were expecting it to be, but, wow that’s how it ends? Honestly I am not shocked as to him leaving, I understand why he did it. Imagine you took a job at Inatech and you were to lead a team, one of the key members was a guy who is considered a golden child, but has social problems. They want you to take over this team and turn it from an under-producing average team to a winner. Right after you take the job the golden child gets drunk and hits a police officer and goes to jail. The team is in disarray and there is nothing you can do, everyone else on the team is OK, but not good enough to make this team make the turn. You bring in a couple of people to help, they are not as good as the golden child, but serviceable… well you thought serviceable, instead they flounder and your team is getting worse. Corporate comes into the office and it happens to be the same day that golden child is sentenced. One member of your team plasters pictures of golden child all over his cubical and proclaims that he wants him to be freed.

During all of this a smaller company out in RTP wants you, it’s not as much money, but you know you can get a better product out. You think you will be happier and this as to be a better situation. Would you take that job… I would, so I understand why he left, but come on Petrino, you have to do it with a little class there man. You have to finish out the season or at least be up front about it. When Arthur Blank calls you out you know it’s bad. Then you don’t even talk to your players and you give them a note saying your gone. Lawyer Milloy hit it on the head with his revision.

 Look At Me I’m an Idiot
Hey Roddy White, what were you thinking? If you do not remember he is the Falcon’s player that wore the shirt that said “Free Vick.” One, that was bad penmanship and are you that stupid? You do realize he killed dogs, bet on dogs killing each other and other things that the government does not consider legal? I understand you might want to show support for Vick, but you did it the wrong way, what will you do for an encore where a shirt saying fee Manson?

Petrino School for Leaving Your Job
Welcome the newest graduate Rick Rodriguez of West Virginia I mean Michigan. You my friend pissed of more West Virginians than when the state outlawed marring your second cousin. First you have a clandestine meeting in “northern Ohio” known as Toledo, with your financialI mean the AD at Michigan without telling your current boss. Then you decide not to tell the university in person, you send an assistant to tell your bosses. The kicker is while on the trip to Toledo you call a recruit and tell him that you are going to Michigan. He knows and tells people BEFORE West Virginia knows. You my friend are what most people call a tool, how can you expect anyone to take you seriously after that stunt. As an Ohio State fan I can’t tell how this is going to effect the Ohio State Michigan rivalry one this could be the perfect match for Michigan as the evil school they are, he could be like Darth Vadar and take the empire to the next level, which could be very bad. The other option is that Michigan continues on the same pace and Rich continues to lead the Wolverines down a path of suck. I personally prefer the second option.

Why Did You Win
I was a fan of the Miami Dolphins losing every game this year and the Baltimore Ravens had to ruin my fun. A few years ago Brian Billick use to be a genius and now he could not beat one of the worst teams in NFL history. Some people blamed Matt Stover for missing that kick in overtime, truthfully, if you allowed the Dolphins to get to overtime that is a sign you did not have a very good game plan. Maybe next the Ravens can be the team that goes winless. I’d enjoy that after you ruined my fun this year.

As I have mentioned in the past, I am not a Duke fan, but in the same breathe I do not hate them. I am an oddity in this world. You usually love everything about Duke or you hate everything about Duke, but maybe things are changing. I found a post on The Blue Zone, a pro Duke page, that is attacking a Cameron Crazy.

Some freshman who was standing in the front row made it his personal goal to piss off any fair-minded basketball fan. He likely slept outside in 30-degree weather to get front-row seats. Did he do it to watch the game? No. Not even close. Did he wear a bright orange t-shirt so he could be more recognizable on television? You know it. He waved at the camera and jumped around every time the ball was in front of him. He talked on his cell phone, presumably to his super-proud mother…

As a guy who makes his actual living with a camera on my shoulder I hate “that guy,” the guy who’s only reason to be there is to get on camera. Do you know how many times I hear, “Hey camera man, put me on TV.” I either one ignore them, because there is a 95 yard run touchdown or a great slam dunk going on the court. The other option is just turn around act like I’m shooting them, turn back around and continue doing my work. If you come to a game to be on TV, don’t go, it’s not worth it. Your not the focus and the only ones who thinks it’s cool is, as The Blue Zone said your mom and your friends. When I am at home watching games, these guys annoy me the most, I don’t want to see you on your cell phone leaning over to get into a shot and waving to your “bros.”

OK I digress and back to the original topic… Duke fans turning on themselves. Could this be the first cracks in the fanbase facude? When your key group is known for being original and “crazy” there has to be a levelling off and then the fall. Could this be it for them? I’ve heard so much about the Cameron Crazies and how they love their team. Now, you got guys wearing orange shirts looking to be on TV. I wonder how many Tarheel and Wolfpack fans will attack Duke for this.