The Godfather of Sports

A game in a baseball stadium, three top 32 NFL prospects and another edition of Bowl Blog Bash and Dash! Three of these schools, Tennessee, Syracuse and Nebraska are or where the perennial power houses in the college football world. And for the Washington Huskies bigger things were expected out of QB Jake Locker but both Locker and Washington tumbled out of the public's eye; but, have a chance to rebound verses the stout Cornhuskers. Now lets kick it off with the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, and the Bridgeport Eduction Holiday Bowl. New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Dec 30, 3:20pm, ESPN) The Wildcats ended the season with a high scoring win over Northern Texas ending the regular season at 7-5. This is their third post-season game against "Otto's Army" the last match up was a 26-3 loss to Syracuse in the 2001 Insight.com Bowl. Then again Syracuse was still ridding high off the Donovan McNabb years and were lead by ex-Indianapolis Colts R...

All these games have big time value. Big 12, Pac-10, Big Ten etc... you actually know about these conferences! And for SMU, complements of ESPN 30-for-30 many more people know about now and Army... well that's self-explanatory. Every team has dynamic players and should all be relatively close. The only downside to one of these bowls is that the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl is that it is on 12pm Eastern Time... Now, lets kick it off with the Texas Bowl, Vakeri Akamo Bowl and the Armed Forces Bowl. Texas Bowl (Dec 29, 6pm ESPN) Baylor (7-5) ended their season on a three game losing skid; but, give them the benefit of the doubt that it was against three top 25 teams. Their marquee win was a 30-22 victory over Texas! But, we all know how Texas did this year (wocka wocka.) Meanwhile, Illinois this year was purged of let-down QB Juice Williams and started a new with a very dynamic QB in Nathan Scheelhaase and a solid ground game. At 7-5 their season high note was when they RAN OVE...

All these teams are in the 'average sport fan's repertoire.' Maybe minus East Carolina, but, many remember the Pirates taking down the highly ranked Virginia Tech Hokies in a opener at Bank of America Stadium a few years back. Another thing to keep an eye on is Iowa Hawkeye DE Adrian Clayborn. He is ranked highly on Scout INC, Mel Kiper's Big Board and other various draft lists. Even if you are a casual football observer ALL of these games should keep you awake. Now lets kick it off with the Champs Sports Bowl, Military Bowl, and the Insight Bowl. Champs Sports Bowl (Dec 28, 6:30pm, ESPN) At first glance this game looks like a battle of two agile QB's that can both throw and run the ball with ease, and for a change, that is a correct assumption. Geno Smith of WVU and Russell Wilson of NC State both keep defenses on edge and should keep the viewers on the edge's of their seats. This game is also a chance for the ACC and Big East to show that their conferences a...

At first glance these games look like they have taken a turn for the worse... again. But, one of these games look like it will be able to keep your attention through all four quarters! (unreal right?) And, most importantly it's on Christmas Eve, so good luck trying to sneak away from the party to check the score BUT don't blink because these two teams can score on a whim. Now lets kick it off, in this edition of Bowl Blog Bash and Dash (Part 3) I'll hit: Sheratan Hawaii Bowl, Little Caesars Bowl, and AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl. Sheratan Hawaii Bowl (Dec 24, 8pm, ESPN) So, we've gotten used to this game with the Warriors at home year in year out... and the last one that even had any 'sports history' impact to it was when Charlie Weis and ND won, Weis' crown jewel win (yeah). But, this year plans to be different. Hawaii has the 1st in passing offense, 8th in total yards, and 11th in points scored (39.9ppg). While, on the other side Tulsa's offense i...

How exciting where those first three bowl games? Well, not really at all... but, out of these six teams only one has a .500 overall record (Louisville at 6-6). Boise State is part of this parade of toilet bowls. That is extremely tragic that a team like Boise State has to play in the 'whatever bowl' while teams like Ohio State with a loss just like Boise get to play in the prestigious bowls that Big 10 teams get to play in because they whined and complained and then threw monster like tantrums (I'm looking at you Gene Smith.) Let's kick off this Bowl Blog Bash and Dash (Part 2) with the Beef 'O' Brady Bowl, MAACO Bowl, and [I can't believe its name] the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.  Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl (Dec 21, 8pm, ESPN) Hey, a Big East team! A conference that the average fan can actually identify! But, this bowl game sounds gross. The word 'beef' should never be in the title of any sports game, ever. No matter the ...

Oh my, every year I seam to forget how many bowl games there are and try to do a bowl-by-bowl break down. I have yet to tackle that but I am going to try again this year... Each blog will have three bowl games per, each with a brief synopsis of the two teams, what stars to watch for in each game (some bowls maybe a stretch to do that) and finally what I am most known for, the Godfather of Sports final score projections. Let's kick it off with the New Mexico Bowl, uDrove Humanitarian Bowl and the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (I did not elaborate or make those titles up). New Mexico Bowl (Dec 18, 2pm, ESPN) Of course the first few games are just so bad. This match up between 6-6 BYU and 6-6 UTEP, yahoo... These guys used to be WAC rivals and haven't played each other since 1998. BYU announced this year that they are trying to be a West Coast Notre Dame and go independent, oops. The Cougars, however, are 3-2 in their last 5 bowl games. And UTEP... well what can I really say abou...

It has been a long time over due. Once again a flurry of work, the holidays and much much more have kept me from doing this. Sorry to my three fans that I may have lost in the shuffle. A lot has happened since my last post, the Bears remembered how to play football, the Falcons took a hold of the NFC and Josh McDaniels, Brad Childress and Wade Phillips are without a job. Now lets take a look at the NFL's Top 10 and that lowly worst-of-the-worst Bottom 5.   Top 10 1. Falcons (10-2) They had a tough time with divisional opponent Tampa Bay but squeaked out a win and hold a big NFC South lead.  2. Patriots (10-2) Wow, they dismantled the Jets. I thought it would have been closer. I was wrong. Pats are good again. 3. Eagles (8-4) During the Thursday game they took it to a very good Texans team. But, we all know it's all Vick. Period.  4. Steelers (9-3) In a low scoring affair between the Ravens (stocking) broken nose and all Ben lead them to another win. 5. Bear...

Once again, sorry for missing last week. I will be back on track with these Power Rankings. A lot was shook up in the last couple of weeks and maybe KC and Tampa found their way in? ESPN sure doesn't think so, but then again they seem to always have the Patriots at #1... shocking. Now lets take a look at the NFL's Top 10 and that lowly worst-of-the-worst Bottom 5. Top 10 1.(1) Steelers (5-2) Big time defense and a mid-season form Rothlisberger equals some AFC North domination. 2.(6) Colts (5-2) The Colts were able to beat Houston after being run over Week 1. But, the injuries are stacking up in Indy.   3.(4) Patriots (6-1) I am shocked at the way this young defense has come together as a great unit. 4.(3) Ravens (5-2) After the Chargers sputtered out, the Ravens are my solid pick to win the AFC. 5.(2) Jets (5-2) 0 points in their loss to the Packers was not a confidence builder by any means. 6.(unranked) Giants (5-2) Eli Manning... I still can't believe...

Sorry to deprive you of Campus Zeros last week due to a combo of work, Halloween fever, and a laptop from 2005, FUMBLE! But, not this week! No players singled out this week! It was good old fashioned team effort that got them to the dignified Campus Zeros list this week. Who made the cut?  Campus Zeros 5. Miami Hurricanes Four-Passers Combo: QB Jacory Harris out, I mean way out, so out he actually maybe a permanent part of the turf at Scott Stadium. He left he game after tossing a pick. Who is next? Spencer Whipple, 22yds, and 2INT later... next! Freshman Stephen Morris, 2-touchdowns... but 2 picks as well. Even RB Graig Cooper got a chance to toss the rock, luckily no INT. All in all, 18/42 (42.9%), 269yds, 2TD, 5INT AGAINST THE VIRGINIA CAVALIERS! The Canes now unranked, 5-3, 3-2 in the ACC and Randy Shannon isn't looking like the redemption coach anymore.  4. Michigan State Rushing 'attack' : Spartans were trying to run the table to get into the BCS title game... ...

Other than #5 Michigan State going down nothing really earth shattering in the college football world. So, that would make for a rather pedestrian Week 9 Campus Heroes, right? Nope. Two of the top 5 heroes were top tier quarterbacks that caught, yes caught, a touchdown pass! As Herm Edwards would say WHY NOT?! And as always Campus Zeros are sure to follow this week (sorry about last week's fumble.) Campus Heroes 5. Nebraska Cornhuskers RB, Roy Helu Jr.: On only 28 carries he was able to tally up 307yds, 11ypc and of course three scores. Helu accounted for 70.7% of the entire Huskers offense that day [including a 14 yard reception.] And with QB combo Taylor Martinez/Zac Lee on the rocks they needed Helu to step up now more then ever. Missouri was looking good to be a BCS dark horse but the Huskers made short work of that. But, where any good running back is, there is an equally great offensive line. These bulls in the trenches are the reason that any RB/WR/QB gets a shot at the...

Anyone want to stay at #1? Alabama? No. Oklahoma? No. Well, now the Auburn Tigers have a shot to maybe stay atop for more than one week. A few upsets here and there, AP and BCS Polls don't match much, and one player made his name known throughout the college football world. There were a lot of great team efforts that out shinned some individuals performances. So, lets get on to this week's Campus Heroes (and of course Campus Zeros to follow shortly after.) Campus Hereos 5. Syracuse Orange D/ST: The offense... nothing to write home about, in fact some stats looked like they were taken from just the first quarter. But, it doesn't matter because the Orange's D and special teams were enough to knockoff then #20 West Virginia. On defense, there was constant pressure on the QB which ended in five sacks and three interceptions! AND on special teams Syracuse PK, Ross Krautman, hit all four field goals and punter, Rob Long (yes, that's his real name), averaged a astoundi...

Bills had a BYE Week so they couldn't lose again last week, lucky them. The Saints had a mid-season spurt rolling 31-6 over the Buccaneers. The Cowboys and Chargers are doing as much as they can to disappoint their fan bases. Finally, going into a BYE this week, the NY Jets have the best record in the NFL at 5-1. BREAKING NEWS : The NFL will now ban hitting in games, defensive players will now have to play two-hand-touch... Now lets take a look at at the NFL's Top 10 and that lowly worst-of-the-worst Bottom 5. Top 10   1.(2) Steelers (4-1) Ben Rothlisberger looked like he didn't miss any time with his receivers [against the Browns.] 2.(5) Jets (5-1) Going into a BYE they are at the top of the AFC East and LT is looking like MVP material.  3.(1) Ravens (4-2) I think they still are the most dynamic team in the NFL and still are going to keep winning big. 4.(7) Patriots (4-1) Big jump for the second AFC East team. Who would have guessed Deion Branch would have ...

Wooooo doggy! Upset central last weekend! Ohio State, South Carolina, Nebraska, Nevada, Florida, Air Force, Oregon State! That means it was a pretty competitive week to get on the Campus Zeros list in Week 7. But, complements of the added 'Honorable' Mentions at the bottom of the list I make sure that everyone gets the credit that they deserve. I give you week 7's campus zeros... Campus Zeros   5. South Carolina Gamecock's Secondary: Mike Hartline? Anyone? No, not Brandon Hartline... Mike. HE is Kentucky's quarterback and he had a borderline flawless day against the same secondary that KO'ed Alabama last week, oops. Hartline had his best game of his season with 349yds and 4TD NO PICKS! Well, the Old Ball Coach had his annual win of the year and loss of the year in back-to-back weeks. Sorry Cocky, you may win the Capital One Mascot Challenge but your Gamecocks will not win the National Championship.  4. The BYU Cougars Choice to opt out of a conference: Oh...

First week of the BCS polls with Oklahoma at #1, Ohio State makes a major misstep and on a personal note Syracuse got the stuffing kicked out of them It does my heart good to watch Ohio State fall down and watch Boise State rise up. There were SEVEN ranked upsets! That means there were a lot of great performances to earn those tough victories (and that campus zeros should be fun as well.)  Campus Heroes 5. Washington Huskies QB/WR Combo: The Jake Locker to Jermain Kearse hookup unreal in their 35-34 win over Oregon State this weekend. For Locker it was a big game because a lot of NFL and College Football annalists were starting to question his high NFL draft stock. He hushed all his critics going 21-of-35 for 286yds, 5TD and 1INT while picking up 60yds on the ground. 146 of his yards and 4TD where all to Kearse! Jermain Kearse averaged a whopping 16.9 yards per catch and a 45 yard touchdown bomb for his longest catch. Washington gets back to .500 at 3-3 and Oregon State gets ...

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness; a lot of changes in the top 10 power rankings AGAIN! No clear leader in either the AFC or NFC AND no more unbeaten teams. However, the bottom 5 seem to stay consistent, good for you guys! I am going to start adding a number (4) in parentheses next to the team to show their previous week's ranking and I am going to add teams dropped from the top 10 as well. Now lets take a look at the NFL's Top 10 and that lowly Worst-of-the-Worst Bottom 5. Top 10 1.(1) Ravens (4-1) They put a 31-17 beat down on the Broncos and are looking consistant week-in and week-out. 2.(2) Steelers (3-1) They were on a BYE and I'm not going to penalize them for not playing. Plus they get Rothlisberger back. 3.(10) Falcons (4-1) Whoa, what calls for the jump? They are 4-1 and are looking like the Falcons from two years ago. 4.(3) Bears (4-1) Yeah, they are 4-1 but they have won UGLY! Doesn't help that Todd Collins is under center. 5.(8) Jets (4-1) The...

For every big upset there is one team that went against the odds, fought against a giant and came out on top. Then there is the giant who may have fumbled away his change at the BCS National Title, and to make it worse his girlfriend isn't returning his texts! LOL! But, this week was hard to lock down just a few of the players that don't want to go to today's film session. I give you Week 6's Campus Zeros... 5. Virgina Tech Hokies/ACC: ESPN and every sports network made sure you knew Tyrod Taylor had a 'great game' last week and that you shouldn't count VT out just yet. Have you seen who they have lost to and have played against? James Madison (who they LOST to), East Carolina (3-2), Boston College (2-3), NCST (5-1, don't know how they won that) and their recent rout of CMU (2-4). In a weak conference like the ACC this year it bothers me that bad VT squad still has a chance to succeed in a sub-par conference AND can still get a better bowl game and mo...