Texas Tech gets thrashed by OU 65-21 but it could have been much worse
In the not so shocking anymore department, Notre Dame loses to Syracuse
USC is on deck for the Irish.... yikes!!!
Big D
Monday, November 24, 2008
BCS Chaos - Business As Usual
Texas Tech gets thrashed by OU 65-21 but it could have been much worse
In the not so shocking anymore department, Notre Dame loses to Syracuse
USC is on deck for the Irish.... yikes!!!
Friday, November 21, 2008
11/22 College Football Picks
It has been a tale of two season for me picking college football games. I could not lose at the start of the year but had a couple bad weeks in late October / early November timeframe.
Plowing on and here is a look at this weekend's games:
@vandy -3 over Tennessee -- I had a little doubt about this Vandy squad prior to the Kentucky game, but a strong performance in lexington leads me to believe that they are ready to put the Vols out for a knockout punch.
michigan St. +15 over Penn St. --
I crashed and burned badly taking Michigan st. and the points against Ohio St. I think this team matches up against a physical penn st. squad and can stay within 2 TD in a most likely bad weather situation at Happy Valley.
@Northwestern +2.5 over Illinois
This should be a hard fought game, but I think NW makes enough plays defensively to pull it out.
Colorado St. -2.5 over Wyoming
Wyoming's O is really terrible and i don't think their D can stop a pretty decent balanced Colo St. offense. Colo St. becomes bowl eligible with a win.
@memphis - over UCF
Bye week for a memphis who will put up too many points on a good UCF defensive squad who can't score any points.
@Rutgers -17 over Army
Army has been feisty this year but runs into a buzzsaw that is Rutgers right now. Watch out for Schiano's bunch the rest of the way.
Texas Tech +7 over OU / Over 74
I think the Sooners eventually pull this one out, but Tech covers the total in a scoring affair.
@Rice -9 over marshall
Rice off a bye puts up too many points for the Herd to hang around.
Plowing on and here is a look at this weekend's games:
@vandy -3 over Tennessee -- I had a little doubt about this Vandy squad prior to the Kentucky game, but a strong performance in lexington leads me to believe that they are ready to put the Vols out for a knockout punch.
michigan St. +15 over Penn St. --
I crashed and burned badly taking Michigan st. and the points against Ohio St. I think this team matches up against a physical penn st. squad and can stay within 2 TD in a most likely bad weather situation at Happy Valley.
@Northwestern +2.5 over Illinois
This should be a hard fought game, but I think NW makes enough plays defensively to pull it out.
Colorado St. -2.5 over Wyoming
Wyoming's O is really terrible and i don't think their D can stop a pretty decent balanced Colo St. offense. Colo St. becomes bowl eligible with a win.
@memphis - over UCF
Bye week for a memphis who will put up too many points on a good UCF defensive squad who can't score any points.
@Rutgers -17 over Army
Army has been feisty this year but runs into a buzzsaw that is Rutgers right now. Watch out for Schiano's bunch the rest of the way.
Texas Tech +7 over OU / Over 74
I think the Sooners eventually pull this one out, but Tech covers the total in a scoring affair.
@Rice -9 over marshall
Rice off a bye puts up too many points for the Herd to hang around.
Lute Olsen Era Starts Poorly at Arizona; Texas Tech HOOPS goes Bezerk
From Yahoo Sports
Arizona's head-shakingly bad loss to UAB
The video (thanks to College Hoops Journal and Awful Announcing). The relevant fouls take place at about the :25 second and 3:50 marks, respectively:
Tech basketball team scores 167 over a Division II opponent
Arizona's head-shakingly bad loss to UAB
The video (thanks to College Hoops Journal and Awful Announcing). The relevant fouls take place at about the :25 second and 3:50 marks, respectively:
Tech basketball team scores 167 over a Division II opponent
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
9/27 Picks
I've slacked this year so far on posting my college football picks. While I am off to a torrid start, I have yet to post my plays on this blog. Let's hope the good run continues.
First, check out super redshirt Freshman QB Robert Griffin of Baylor who is making some waves down in Waco this year.
Here is what I like this weekend:
Colorado +6 over Florida St. (in Jax) --
Florida St. had 7 Turnovers against Wake last weekend so I guess their offensive woes are not over. Colorado is gritty as hell this year and I expect their defense to keep them in this one. While FSU will have the fan advantage, only 40K tickets were sold as of midweek.
@Penn St. -16 over Illinois --
This spread has moved most likely because of the return of both Penn St. defensive Lineman who were reinstated earlier this week Penn St. has been a covering machine so far this year so we will see if it continues in their big 10 opener.
@UNLV -4 over Nevada --
UNLV all of a sudden looks pretty salty after wins against Arizona St. and Iowa St. This is a bitter rivalry and Nevada has won the last few in this series. I think it changes this week. Hat tip to dolly for his inside info on the Rebels.
Northwestern +8.5 over Iowa --
Iowa traditionally is very tough at home under Ferentz. But Northwestern quietly has been building their program and I expect this one to be close.
Wisky -6 over Michigan --
Both teams off a bye week and I think Wisconsin needs to have a good showing prior to bigger tilts against Ohio St. and Penn ST. I don't think Michigan has enough to stay in this one even at home.
Bama +7 over Georgia --
This series is historically very tight and I see no reason for this game to be any different. Take the points even on the road with Bama...
Good luck to everyone this week...
First, check out super redshirt Freshman QB Robert Griffin of Baylor who is making some waves down in Waco this year.
Here is what I like this weekend:
Colorado +6 over Florida St. (in Jax) --
Florida St. had 7 Turnovers against Wake last weekend so I guess their offensive woes are not over. Colorado is gritty as hell this year and I expect their defense to keep them in this one. While FSU will have the fan advantage, only 40K tickets were sold as of midweek.
@Penn St. -16 over Illinois --
This spread has moved most likely because of the return of both Penn St. defensive Lineman who were reinstated earlier this week Penn St. has been a covering machine so far this year so we will see if it continues in their big 10 opener.
@UNLV -4 over Nevada --
UNLV all of a sudden looks pretty salty after wins against Arizona St. and Iowa St. This is a bitter rivalry and Nevada has won the last few in this series. I think it changes this week. Hat tip to dolly for his inside info on the Rebels.
Northwestern +8.5 over Iowa --
Iowa traditionally is very tough at home under Ferentz. But Northwestern quietly has been building their program and I expect this one to be close.
Wisky -6 over Michigan --
Both teams off a bye week and I think Wisconsin needs to have a good showing prior to bigger tilts against Ohio St. and Penn ST. I don't think Michigan has enough to stay in this one even at home.
Bama +7 over Georgia --
This series is historically very tight and I see no reason for this game to be any different. Take the points even on the road with Bama...
Good luck to everyone this week...
Saturday, September 06, 2008
College Football = Erin Andrews
Week 2 of the college football season and outside of a few intriguing matchups (East Carolina / West Virginia and Ole Miss/Wake Forest), the slate is full of blowout potential or outright snoozefests. With the monumental September 13th matchups on the horizon,
I stumbled across this Deadspin site that is a good location for all things Erin Andrews.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Greg Davis Gets Creative
At least according to Orangebloods.com columnist Chip Brown. It turns out Mack Brown is actually one of the main reasons Texas has looked vanilla on offense in some big games in recent memory.
From the article:
I'd have to think there have been more than 3 signature wins under Brown, but that's just me...
The Will Muschamp factor
From the article:
anyone has wanted to push the envelope offensively, it's Davis, who drew up game plans for converted slot back Hines Ward to play quarterback at Georgia in 1995. Ward stepped in when the team's top two quarterbacks went down with injuries. Ward ended up setting a school bowl game record by completing 31-of-59 passes for 413 yards in the Peach Bowl that year.
If anyone's been tapping the brakes, it's Brown. What you've seen on offense at Texas the last 10 years is what Brown is willing to permit. Brown's philosophy has essentially been to opposing defenses, "You know what we're going to run, but we have better talent and we will out-execute you."That was reiterated by former UT quarterback Major Applewhite, who helped pull off one of Brown's three signature wins at Texas - at Nebraska in 1998 (at Ohio State in 2005 and USC are the others).
"Greg has plenty of creativity," Applewhite said. "As a coordinator, having been one, you can get as crazy as you want to get. But when you've got great players, you've got to toe the line on that. If you've got great players, you can beat most of the teams if you execute.
"But we're going to add wrinkles as we need to feature our players, as Coach Davis has done. But at the same time, we do a good job recruiting, and we need to trust our scheme and what we do and execute and not just be a team with a bunch of gadget and trick plays. I think we can line up and beat people, but we also have those wrinkles to add some multiplicity to what we do."
Brown has final say over each play called by Davis.
"Greg and I discuss every game plan," Brown said. "I hear every play, and one of the things I can do because he's tough and not sensitive at all - if I don't like something he's doing I can tell him and he'll listen. He's got an opinion about it, and if he doesn't like it he'll tell me. But if it needs to be changed, he'll change it."
I'd have to think there have been more than 3 signature wins under Brown, but that's just me...
The Will Muschamp factor
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Pirate Leach Recruits Jamaica
At least, he has thought about it. Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach watched the Olympics and 100M and 200M sprinter Usain Bolt win gold medals in both events.
Here are Leach's comments on the Carribbean country...
I got to be honest, I've been thinking about recruiting Jamaica since I saw that stuff," Leach told hosts Andrew Siciliano and Krystal Fernandez. "I've been to Jamaica and let me tell you something ... here's the extent that I've thought about that subject, there's approximately 2.8 million people in Jamaica, which is approximately the size of the state of Iowa or Kansas, or the city of Houston.
"It's almost like the country of Jamaica is sitting there saying, 'If you would have just told us that this was important we could have won a lot of this stuff a long time ago.'
Thanks to Wizard of Odds for this find off the Dallas Morning News Blog..
The Cotton Bowl continues its upgrades and I got to be honest.
They look good.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Manny Mania
You know I'm not a big fan of Dan Shaughnessy or any of the Boston media for that matter. His article about Manny Ramirez and his agent Scott Boras is pretty interesting.
Manny is still mashing for LA, but his effort is being questioned during his last days in Boston.
It's a shame but that's life when you are dealing with any of Scott Boras clients. It will be interesting to see how Boras client Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez end up doing with their new teams assuming both the Dodgers and Angels make the playoffs.
I'm still rooting for Manny to do well and unfortunately cannot say the same for Teixeira.
Hell, his new manager Joe Torre even managed to get him to cut his hair recently.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Opening Week Lines - Early Looks
You know, it's almost too good to be true but the college football season is only 2 weeks away. It's funny with college football because there might not be a ton of great nonconference games anymore as the big conference schools don't like to schedule against each other very often. It doesn't really matter though because I can watch any game and can't wait to get this season started.
My early guess as to the best game of the first week is not until Monday night with Fresno and Rutgers two prominent up and coming programs in years past square off with good talent on both squads.
I have a handful early leans as to games I've already identified at first glance. Keep in mind that I usually don't play very heavy early in the season and I stay away from big spreads for the most part. I will most likely play quite a few games at a similar level. If things go well early, I may load up on 1 or 2 games that I really like opening weekend. The key thing to remember is not to overextend yourself early in the season and not put too much money at risk opening weekend.
With all that said, I like these plays early:
@Buffalo -3 over UTEP : I like what Turner Gill is doing with the Bulls and UTEP has a long road trip right off the bat. Still thinking about this one...
@Stanford +3 over Oregon St.: When the lines initially came out, this line was closer to 6 which I really loved but I still think 3 is good value. Oregon St. really loses a lot and Stanford has a lot of key personnel coming back from an improving team that didn't do a lot last year outside of the gigantic upset (biggest upset in NCAA history by number of pts. -- +41) of USC. Take the Cardinal
Utah +3.5 over Michigan: This line opened closer to a TD so I'm going to have think about this one before I pull the trigger. Still, Michigan has a lot to think heading into this one with ghosts of Appy St. still dancing in their head.
W. Michigan +14 over Nebraska: I'm still not sold on Nebraska and W. Michigan is no slouch. Still thinking about this one.
@Kent +10 over BC: Notice the MAC trend. I think the conference makes some noise opening weekend but this is more a despise BC pick than anything else.
East Carolina +10 over VT (in Charlotte): VT normally takes a while to get rolling and ECU is riding high after a huge bowl win over Boise ST. Even with the big loss of Chris Johnson, I'll take the Pirates on a neutral field to cover the number.
Fresno +5.5 over Rutgers: I think Rutgers is going to be good without Ray Rice, but Fresno is hungry this year and will use previous nonconference road game experience to make this game a war.
It's almost time gentlemen!
Rest of the lines:
Thu 8/28 127 UTEP +3 -103
04:00 PM 128 Buffalo U -3 -107
Thu 8/28 129 Vanderbilt +3 -103
04:30 PM 130 Miami Ohio -3 -107
Thu 8/28 131 NC State +11.5 +103
05:00 PM 132 South Carolina -11.5 -113
Thu 8/28 133 Wake Forest -12.5 -105
05:00 PM 134 Baylor +12.5 -105
Thu 8/28 135 Oregon State -3 -109
06:00 PM 136 Stanford +3 -101
Thu 8/28 137 Troy -6.5 -111
04:00 PM 138 Middle Tenn St +6.5 +101
NCAA Football - Fri 8/29
Fri 8/29 145 Temple -7 -105
04:00 PM 146 Army +7 -105
Fri 8/29 147 SMU +3 -101
05:00 PM 148 Rice -3 -109
NCAA Football - Sat 8/30
Sat 8/30 149 Utah +3.5 -109
09:00 AM 150 Michigan -3.5 -101
Sat 8/30 151 Syracuse +12 -105
09:00 AM 152 Northwestern -12 -105
Sat 8/30 153 Memphis +8 -105
04:00 PM 154 Mississippi -8 -105
Sat 8/30 155 Ohio +10 +101
11:00 AM 156 Wyoming -10 -111
Sat 8/30 157 Akron +26.5 -105
11:00 AM 158 Wisconsin -26.5 -105
Sat 8/30 159 Western Michigan +14 -114
11:00 AM 160 Nebraska -14 +104
Sat 8/30 161 Washington U +13.5 -102
12:30 PM 162 Oregon -13.5 -108
Sat 8/30 163 Tulsa -14.5 -101
01:00 PM 164 UAB +14.5 -109
Sat 8/30 165 TCU -6.5 -111
03:00 PM 166 New Mexico +6.5 +101
Sat 8/30 167 Mississippi St -8.5 -101
04:00 PM 168 Louisiana Tech +8.5 -109
Sat 8/30 169 Boston College -10 +107
04:00 PM 170 Kent +10 -117
Sat 8/30 171 Oklahoma State -6 -106
04:00 PM 172 Washington State +6 -104
Sat 8/30 173 No Illinois +8.5 -112
04:00 PM 174 Minnesota U -8.5 +102
Sat 8/30 175 Bowling Green +12.5 -105
04:00 PM 176 Pittsburgh U -12.5 -105
Sat 8/30 177 Hawaii +34.5 +100
04:00 PM 178 Florida -34.5 -110
Sat 8/30 179 Virginia Tech -10 +101
04:30 PM 180 East Carolina +10 -111
Sat 8/30 181 Illinois +8 +103
04:45 PM 182 Missouri -8 -113
Sat 8/30 183 Michigan State +5.5 -105
05:00 PM 184 California -5.5 -105
Sat 8/30 185 USC -19.5 -105
05:00 PM 186 Virginia +19.5 -105
Sat 8/30 187 Alabama +5 -105
05:00 PM 188 Clemson -5 -105
Sat 8/30 189 Idaho +27 -108
07:00 PM 190 Arizona U -27 -102
Sat 8/30 191 Utah State +12.5 -105
07:00 PM 192 UNLV -12.5 -105
Sat 8/30 193 Western Kentucky +21 -105
09:00 AM 194 Indiana -21 -105
Sat 8/30 195 Ul Monroe +26.5 -105
11:00 AM 196 Auburn -26.5 -105
Sat 8/30 197 UL Lafayette +10.5 -112
04:00 PM 198 So Mississippi -10.5 +102
Sat 8/30 199 Florida Atlantic +23 -105
04:00 PM 200 Texas -23 -105
Sat 8/30 201 Florida Intl +37 -115
04:00 PM 202 Kansas -37 +105
Sat 8/30 203 Arkansas State +20.5 -105
04:00 PM 204 Texas A&M -20.5 -105
Sat 8/30 205 North Texas +24 -102
04:10 PM 206 Kansas State -24 -108
NCAA Football - Sun 8/31
Sun 8/31 207 Kentucky +4.5 -103
12:30 PM 208 Louisville -4.5 -107
Sun 8/31 209 Colorado -11.5 -105
04:30 PM 210 Colorado State +11.5 -105
NCAA Football - Mon 9/1
Mon 9/1 211 Fresno State +5.5 -110
01:00 PM 212 Rutgers -5.5 +100
Mon 9/1 213 Tennessee U -7 -101
05:00 PM 214 UCLA +7 -109
My early guess as to the best game of the first week is not until Monday night with Fresno and Rutgers two prominent up and coming programs in years past square off with good talent on both squads.
I have a handful early leans as to games I've already identified at first glance. Keep in mind that I usually don't play very heavy early in the season and I stay away from big spreads for the most part. I will most likely play quite a few games at a similar level. If things go well early, I may load up on 1 or 2 games that I really like opening weekend. The key thing to remember is not to overextend yourself early in the season and not put too much money at risk opening weekend.
With all that said, I like these plays early:
@Buffalo -3 over UTEP : I like what Turner Gill is doing with the Bulls and UTEP has a long road trip right off the bat. Still thinking about this one...
@Stanford +3 over Oregon St.: When the lines initially came out, this line was closer to 6 which I really loved but I still think 3 is good value. Oregon St. really loses a lot and Stanford has a lot of key personnel coming back from an improving team that didn't do a lot last year outside of the gigantic upset (biggest upset in NCAA history by number of pts. -- +41) of USC. Take the Cardinal
Utah +3.5 over Michigan: This line opened closer to a TD so I'm going to have think about this one before I pull the trigger. Still, Michigan has a lot to think heading into this one with ghosts of Appy St. still dancing in their head.
W. Michigan +14 over Nebraska: I'm still not sold on Nebraska and W. Michigan is no slouch. Still thinking about this one.
@Kent +10 over BC: Notice the MAC trend. I think the conference makes some noise opening weekend but this is more a despise BC pick than anything else.
East Carolina +10 over VT (in Charlotte): VT normally takes a while to get rolling and ECU is riding high after a huge bowl win over Boise ST. Even with the big loss of Chris Johnson, I'll take the Pirates on a neutral field to cover the number.
Fresno +5.5 over Rutgers: I think Rutgers is going to be good without Ray Rice, but Fresno is hungry this year and will use previous nonconference road game experience to make this game a war.
It's almost time gentlemen!
Rest of the lines:
Thu 8/28 127 UTEP +3 -103
04:00 PM 128 Buffalo U -3 -107
Thu 8/28 129 Vanderbilt +3 -103
04:30 PM 130 Miami Ohio -3 -107
Thu 8/28 131 NC State +11.5 +103
05:00 PM 132 South Carolina -11.5 -113
Thu 8/28 133 Wake Forest -12.5 -105
05:00 PM 134 Baylor +12.5 -105
Thu 8/28 135 Oregon State -3 -109
06:00 PM 136 Stanford +3 -101
Thu 8/28 137 Troy -6.5 -111
04:00 PM 138 Middle Tenn St +6.5 +101
NCAA Football - Fri 8/29
Fri 8/29 145 Temple -7 -105
04:00 PM 146 Army +7 -105
Fri 8/29 147 SMU +3 -101
05:00 PM 148 Rice -3 -109
NCAA Football - Sat 8/30
Sat 8/30 149 Utah +3.5 -109
09:00 AM 150 Michigan -3.5 -101
Sat 8/30 151 Syracuse +12 -105
09:00 AM 152 Northwestern -12 -105
Sat 8/30 153 Memphis +8 -105
04:00 PM 154 Mississippi -8 -105
Sat 8/30 155 Ohio +10 +101
11:00 AM 156 Wyoming -10 -111
Sat 8/30 157 Akron +26.5 -105
11:00 AM 158 Wisconsin -26.5 -105
Sat 8/30 159 Western Michigan +14 -114
11:00 AM 160 Nebraska -14 +104
Sat 8/30 161 Washington U +13.5 -102
12:30 PM 162 Oregon -13.5 -108
Sat 8/30 163 Tulsa -14.5 -101
01:00 PM 164 UAB +14.5 -109
Sat 8/30 165 TCU -6.5 -111
03:00 PM 166 New Mexico +6.5 +101
Sat 8/30 167 Mississippi St -8.5 -101
04:00 PM 168 Louisiana Tech +8.5 -109
Sat 8/30 169 Boston College -10 +107
04:00 PM 170 Kent +10 -117
Sat 8/30 171 Oklahoma State -6 -106
04:00 PM 172 Washington State +6 -104
Sat 8/30 173 No Illinois +8.5 -112
04:00 PM 174 Minnesota U -8.5 +102
Sat 8/30 175 Bowling Green +12.5 -105
04:00 PM 176 Pittsburgh U -12.5 -105
Sat 8/30 177 Hawaii +34.5 +100
04:00 PM 178 Florida -34.5 -110
Sat 8/30 179 Virginia Tech -10 +101
04:30 PM 180 East Carolina +10 -111
Sat 8/30 181 Illinois +8 +103
04:45 PM 182 Missouri -8 -113
Sat 8/30 183 Michigan State +5.5 -105
05:00 PM 184 California -5.5 -105
Sat 8/30 185 USC -19.5 -105
05:00 PM 186 Virginia +19.5 -105
Sat 8/30 187 Alabama +5 -105
05:00 PM 188 Clemson -5 -105
Sat 8/30 189 Idaho +27 -108
07:00 PM 190 Arizona U -27 -102
Sat 8/30 191 Utah State +12.5 -105
07:00 PM 192 UNLV -12.5 -105
Sat 8/30 193 Western Kentucky +21 -105
09:00 AM 194 Indiana -21 -105
Sat 8/30 195 Ul Monroe +26.5 -105
11:00 AM 196 Auburn -26.5 -105
Sat 8/30 197 UL Lafayette +10.5 -112
04:00 PM 198 So Mississippi -10.5 +102
Sat 8/30 199 Florida Atlantic +23 -105
04:00 PM 200 Texas -23 -105
Sat 8/30 201 Florida Intl +37 -115
04:00 PM 202 Kansas -37 +105
Sat 8/30 203 Arkansas State +20.5 -105
04:00 PM 204 Texas A&M -20.5 -105
Sat 8/30 205 North Texas +24 -102
04:10 PM 206 Kansas State -24 -108
NCAA Football - Sun 8/31
Sun 8/31 207 Kentucky +4.5 -103
12:30 PM 208 Louisville -4.5 -107
Sun 8/31 209 Colorado -11.5 -105
04:30 PM 210 Colorado State +11.5 -105
NCAA Football - Mon 9/1
Mon 9/1 211 Fresno State +5.5 -110
01:00 PM 212 Rutgers -5.5 +100
Mon 9/1 213 Tennessee U -7 -101
05:00 PM 214 UCLA +7 -109
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Hottest Woman on Television
Sure, Hollywood actresses get all of the buzz, but many Americans are unfamiliar with one of the best looking woman gracing the airwaves currently.
Unless you have been watching TV in France or scouring youtube, this name will mean nothing to you... Melissa Theuriau.
Now, I am a happily married man but I have been familiar with Ms. Theariau for quite some time. And I think it's time you should get to know her as well.
Here is Melissa's Wikipida page...
Mellissa doing the News
Theuriau Youtube
So now you know, and the news has never seemed so interesting.
Unless you have been watching TV in France or scouring youtube, this name will mean nothing to you... Melissa Theuriau.
Now, I am a happily married man but I have been familiar with Ms. Theariau for quite some time. And I think it's time you should get to know her as well.
Here is Melissa's Wikipida page...
Mellissa doing the News
Theuriau Youtube
So now you know, and the news has never seemed so interesting.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
College Football
For whatever reason, my blog seems to be getting a lot more hits recently and it certainly isn't about content or layout change. Which by the way, I plan on updating the layout now that I have an Apple Computer and hopefully will be able to give the blog a facelift.
But somewhere I am getting hits because Erin Andrews is searched on the internet, A LOT....
College Football is the no question #1 sport followed on this blog and I will make sure to update more during the season this year. There will be links, recaps, and picks against the line hopefully weekly. I am studying for Level I of the CFA exam so this hopefully will be the beginning of bigger and better things.
For now, here are some links to college football sites out there that are worth checking out....
If you go to one website during college football season, it should be this one...
The Wizard of Odds
Best Texas Fan Site on Web
Sunday Morning QB
Every Day Should be Saturday - A little SEC slant but fantastic during the season
And oh yea, the obligatory Erin Andrews link as well..
Erin Andrews backlash in Chicago???, Say it ain't so!
Week 1 lines are out. I will have my early analysis shortly...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
DKR Expansion
A very cool timelapse of the expansion project at Texas' Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium spanning three years.
Tiger Does It Again
Jason Sobel over at ESPN.com takes a shot at ranking Tiger Woods' Major wins in terms of importance.
I'm 29 years old right now and too young to remember when Michael Jordan started his career at North Carolina. In fact, you could probably say that I became cognizant of Jordan right at about the time he was averaging 37 points a game in 1987. Right before the Bulls would win 6 out of 8 NBA titles starting in the early 1990s was when Jordan became the greatest athlete on the Plano. Tiger Woods right now and assuming he comes back from his knee injury okay is the greatest athlete on the planet right now. I am fortunate enough to consider myself a professional golf fan well before Tiger's career started. Back B.T. (or before Tiger) the PGA tour was followed by old guys and hardcore golf fans. I fell into the latter category and I loved every minute. I remember when Tiger Woods won his first U.S. Amateur at Sawgrass. I remember when Tiger made his professional PGA tour debut the Greater Milwaukee Open. I certainly remmeber where I was during the 1997 Masters.
Anyway, it's hard to argue with his list. Here it is:
1. 1997 Masters
Woods' initial major championship remains the standard-bearer against which all his subsequent accomplishments should be measured. The win didn't just change the game; it changed the world. His jaunt through Augusta National broke down barriers, dispelling the notion that golf was a homogenous game built only for those of a specific bloodline. One day after Woods won that tournament, masses of people were inspired to try the game on courses and driving ranges around the world. That weekend golf became cool. It became popular. It became young and hip and brash -- all because of a young man named Tiger Woods, who usurped the world's best players by a record 12 strokes on the game's grandest stage.
Tiger's Take: "I never thought I would have a lead like I did. You envision dueling it out with Nicklaus or Watson or Faldo, but never to do it in the fashion I did."
2. 2008 U.S. Open
On its own, the torment at Torrey Pines may have been Tiger's most nail-biting, odds-defying victory to date. The six-hole stretch on Saturday that featured two lengthy eagle putts and a chip-in birdie that propelled him into the lead was brilliant; the make-or-break final-hole birdie putt on Sunday was triumphant; the 18-hole standstill with Mediate and ensuing sudden death victory on Monday were exhilarating. But it all holds extra cachet because of how badly injured Woods' not-quite-fully-rehabilitated left knee really was during the tournament and how little preparation he was able to do beforehand.
Tiger's Take: "I think this is the best, just because of all of the things I had to deal with. … It's a close one to the first one I won. But with all the things considered this week, yeah."
3. 2000 U.S. Open
Two words: Utter dominance. There has never been a major so soundly ruled over than this affair at Pebble Beach. Officially, Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez tied for second place at 3 over par. Tiger? He was 12 under. Most players win the U.S. Open by 15 and then wake up when the alarm goes off. Woods' dream was reality -- and doesn't even crack the top two on his list anymore.
Tiger's Take: "I got the trophy. Now I get to go home. But you don't really understand exactly what you've done, until time passes. And I'll appreciate this win a lot more in the future than I do right now, because I'm too close to the moment. And I had a wonderful week, a great week, actually, but I can't really tell you historically what it really means. I've been told that I've set a few records, but I don't really know what they are. I haven't had time. … The only thing I know is I got the trophy sitting right next to me."
[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Alastair Grant
Nearly two months after his father died, Tiger Woods won the 2006 British Open. Woods embraced caddie Steve Williams on the 18th green in a clear display of emotion rarely shown publicly by the world's No. 1-ranked golfer.
4. 2000 British Open
Asked on Monday to name his third greatest major feat (after this week's Open and the '97 Masters), Woods chose this one -- and for good reason. His compelling domination at St. Andrews led to an 8-stroke victory, but more importantly sealed his place among the all-time legends of the game, as Tiger joined Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player as the only players to claim the career Grand Slam.
Tiger's Take: "It's the ultimate," Woods said. "This is the home of golf. This is where you always want to win. To have a chance to complete the slam at St. Andrews is pretty special. I was able to bring it home."
5. 2001 Masters
No player in the modern era has ever accomplished the Grand Slam, winning all four professional majors in the same year. But after beating David Duval by two strokes for his second Masters win, Woods staked a claim to what became known as the Tiger Slam, as he held all four major trophies on his mantel at the very same time.
Tiger's Take: "When I won in '97, I had not been a pro a full year yet. I guess I was a little young, a little naive, and didn't understand what I accomplished, for at least a year or two after that event. This year, I understand. I've been around the block. I've witnessed a lot of things since that year. You know, I have better appreciation for winning a major championship, and to win it -- to win four of them in succession -- it's just, it's hard to believe, really, because there's so many things that go into winning a major championship."
6. 2006 British Open
Solemn and steely-eyed on the course, Woods never displayed the internal emotion that he was carrying throughout the four rounds … until his final putt dropped. Less than three months after his father, Earl, passed away, Tiger broke down in a rare display of public effusion, clutching caddie Steve Williams in a tight embrace while tears welled up in his eyes.
Tiger's Take: "At that moment, it just came pouring out and of all the things that my father has meant to me and the game of golf, and I just wish he could have seen it one more time. I was pretty bummed out after not winning the Masters, because I knew that was the last major he was ever going to see. So that one hurt a little bit. And finally to get this one, it's just unfortunate that he wasn't here to see it."
7. 2000 PGA Championship
Proving that sometimes the greatest challenges can come from the unlikeliest of sources, little-known Bob May matched Woods shot for shot at Valhalla. In a major championship version of Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better, Tiger showed that he was better than the absolute best May had to offer. The result was entertainment for the ages.
Tiger's Take: "The fireworks started on the back nine. This is probably one of the greatest duels I've ever had in my life. Hats off to Bob. He played his heart out.''
8. 2005 Masters
You'll remember The Chip. You know, the one on 16 that landed some 30 feet above the hole only to funnel toward the cup and hang inexplicably on the lip before swooshing its way into the hole. The bogey-bogey finish that followed? The playoff against Chris DiMarco? They all take a backseat to one of the most memorable shots of Tiger's career, which led to his first victory in his last 10 major appearances, the culmination of massive swing changes in previous years.
Tiger's Take: "More than anything, it's validation of all the hard work I've put into it. Hank [Haney] and I have put some serious hours into this and, you know, I read some of the articles over [the] past year of him getting ripped, I'm getting ripped for all the changes I'm making, and to play as beautifully as I did this entire week is pretty cool."
9. 1999 PGA Championship
With only one major to Woods' credit -- and none in his previous 10 attempts -- those who had anointed Woods as the Next Big Thing were already looking for the next Next Big Thing. They thought they had found it in Sergio Garcia, an excitable 19-year-old Spaniard who had the look and athleticism to be Tiger's longtime rival. Woods got the best of his young peer that week -- and the chalk outline of Garcia's major career may still rest somewhere on the final holes at Medinah.
Tiger's Take: "To come out of it on top took everything out of me. I just tried to hold him off and did the best I could."
10. 2002 U.S. Open
A return to a municipal facility brought a sense of energy back to the Open and no player was better suited to win one for the blue-collar crowd than Woods. To this day, it remains the lone major in which he and Phil Mickelson finished as the top two competitors, though in reality Tiger's 3-stroke win wasn't met with much of a challenge down the stretch.
Tiger's Take: "It's so hard to describe how good it feels to win a major championship, because it takes so much out of you, and it's so difficult to do because you have to really play well. And you've got to be at the top of your game in order to win a major championship. You can't go out and slop it around and win. And it's just really neat to look at the guys on the list that I'm a part of now. And hopefully my career will keep being positive."
11. 2002 Masters
By lengthening their course nearly 300 yards, Augusta National officials believed they were "Tiger-proofing" the Masters and setting a more level playing field. Think again. Woods surgically dismantled the larger ballpark, winning by 3 strokes to earn his second-straight green jacket and third overall -- trailing only Nicklaus and Palmer on the all-time list.
Tiger's Take: "I keep saying it -- you've got to have some good breaks. I played well this week, made some good putts when I really needed them, but I had some good breaks as well. I was able to somehow finagle a way to get up and down and save a lot of pars this week."
12. 2007 PGA Championship
Frankly, we're still trying to figure out how Woods doesn't own the all-time major championship single-round scoring record by his lonesome, rather than sharing it with some two dozen others. He shot 63 in the second round at Southern Hills, but was left befuddled when his final birdie attempt of the day failed to find the bottom of the cup, leading him to call it a round of "62½." That score did give him the 36-hole lead, though, one which he would never relinquish en route to claiming his first major win since his daughter, Sam, was born.
Tiger's Take: "It's a feeling I've never had before, having Sam there and having Elin there. It feels a lot more special when you have your family there. … So it's evolved, and this one feels so much more special than the other majors. … I was so excited and just want to give Elin and Sam a kiss and get back to signing my scorecard."
13. 2005 British Open
What does it say about a man who can claim a Claret Jug for the second time in as many attempts at the vaunted home of golf, and still have it rank so far down on this list? On a week remembered more for his idol Jack Nicklaus' retiring from major competition, Woods conquered St. Andrews to the tune of a 5-stroke victory -- his largest winning margin at a major in five years.
Tiger's Take: "It's pretty cool. I've kind of gone one past halfway. Jack's got 18, now I have 10. Man, I tell you what, I honestly -- when I first started playing the tour -- I didn't think I'd have this many majors before the age of 30. There's no way. No one ever has. Usually the golden years are in your 30s for a golfer. Hopefully, that will be the case."
14. 2006 PGA Championship
There's no such thing as a "bad" major title and picking one would be like naming a least-favorite child. But Woods' victory at Medinah is certainly the least memorable of the 14 wins. He took sole possession of the lead on the opening hole of the final round and never relinquished it, earning a 5-stroke victory without ever seriously being challenged. If you dozed off and don't remember, don't feel too guilty.
Tiger's Take: "It was a special day out there. I just had one of those magical days on the greens today. I just felt like if I got the ball anywhere on the green, I could make it. It's not too often you get days like that, and I happened to have it on the final round of a major championship. So it was a really neat feeling to have."
I'm 29 years old right now and too young to remember when Michael Jordan started his career at North Carolina. In fact, you could probably say that I became cognizant of Jordan right at about the time he was averaging 37 points a game in 1987. Right before the Bulls would win 6 out of 8 NBA titles starting in the early 1990s was when Jordan became the greatest athlete on the Plano. Tiger Woods right now and assuming he comes back from his knee injury okay is the greatest athlete on the planet right now. I am fortunate enough to consider myself a professional golf fan well before Tiger's career started. Back B.T. (or before Tiger) the PGA tour was followed by old guys and hardcore golf fans. I fell into the latter category and I loved every minute. I remember when Tiger Woods won his first U.S. Amateur at Sawgrass. I remember when Tiger made his professional PGA tour debut the Greater Milwaukee Open. I certainly remmeber where I was during the 1997 Masters.
Anyway, it's hard to argue with his list. Here it is:
1. 1997 Masters
Woods' initial major championship remains the standard-bearer against which all his subsequent accomplishments should be measured. The win didn't just change the game; it changed the world. His jaunt through Augusta National broke down barriers, dispelling the notion that golf was a homogenous game built only for those of a specific bloodline. One day after Woods won that tournament, masses of people were inspired to try the game on courses and driving ranges around the world. That weekend golf became cool. It became popular. It became young and hip and brash -- all because of a young man named Tiger Woods, who usurped the world's best players by a record 12 strokes on the game's grandest stage.
Tiger's Take: "I never thought I would have a lead like I did. You envision dueling it out with Nicklaus or Watson or Faldo, but never to do it in the fashion I did."
2. 2008 U.S. Open
On its own, the torment at Torrey Pines may have been Tiger's most nail-biting, odds-defying victory to date. The six-hole stretch on Saturday that featured two lengthy eagle putts and a chip-in birdie that propelled him into the lead was brilliant; the make-or-break final-hole birdie putt on Sunday was triumphant; the 18-hole standstill with Mediate and ensuing sudden death victory on Monday were exhilarating. But it all holds extra cachet because of how badly injured Woods' not-quite-fully-rehabilitated left knee really was during the tournament and how little preparation he was able to do beforehand.
Tiger's Take: "I think this is the best, just because of all of the things I had to deal with. … It's a close one to the first one I won. But with all the things considered this week, yeah."
3. 2000 U.S. Open
Two words: Utter dominance. There has never been a major so soundly ruled over than this affair at Pebble Beach. Officially, Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez tied for second place at 3 over par. Tiger? He was 12 under. Most players win the U.S. Open by 15 and then wake up when the alarm goes off. Woods' dream was reality -- and doesn't even crack the top two on his list anymore.
Tiger's Take: "I got the trophy. Now I get to go home. But you don't really understand exactly what you've done, until time passes. And I'll appreciate this win a lot more in the future than I do right now, because I'm too close to the moment. And I had a wonderful week, a great week, actually, but I can't really tell you historically what it really means. I've been told that I've set a few records, but I don't really know what they are. I haven't had time. … The only thing I know is I got the trophy sitting right next to me."
[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Alastair Grant
Nearly two months after his father died, Tiger Woods won the 2006 British Open. Woods embraced caddie Steve Williams on the 18th green in a clear display of emotion rarely shown publicly by the world's No. 1-ranked golfer.
4. 2000 British Open
Asked on Monday to name his third greatest major feat (after this week's Open and the '97 Masters), Woods chose this one -- and for good reason. His compelling domination at St. Andrews led to an 8-stroke victory, but more importantly sealed his place among the all-time legends of the game, as Tiger joined Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player as the only players to claim the career Grand Slam.
Tiger's Take: "It's the ultimate," Woods said. "This is the home of golf. This is where you always want to win. To have a chance to complete the slam at St. Andrews is pretty special. I was able to bring it home."
5. 2001 Masters
No player in the modern era has ever accomplished the Grand Slam, winning all four professional majors in the same year. But after beating David Duval by two strokes for his second Masters win, Woods staked a claim to what became known as the Tiger Slam, as he held all four major trophies on his mantel at the very same time.
Tiger's Take: "When I won in '97, I had not been a pro a full year yet. I guess I was a little young, a little naive, and didn't understand what I accomplished, for at least a year or two after that event. This year, I understand. I've been around the block. I've witnessed a lot of things since that year. You know, I have better appreciation for winning a major championship, and to win it -- to win four of them in succession -- it's just, it's hard to believe, really, because there's so many things that go into winning a major championship."
6. 2006 British Open
Solemn and steely-eyed on the course, Woods never displayed the internal emotion that he was carrying throughout the four rounds … until his final putt dropped. Less than three months after his father, Earl, passed away, Tiger broke down in a rare display of public effusion, clutching caddie Steve Williams in a tight embrace while tears welled up in his eyes.
Tiger's Take: "At that moment, it just came pouring out and of all the things that my father has meant to me and the game of golf, and I just wish he could have seen it one more time. I was pretty bummed out after not winning the Masters, because I knew that was the last major he was ever going to see. So that one hurt a little bit. And finally to get this one, it's just unfortunate that he wasn't here to see it."
7. 2000 PGA Championship
Proving that sometimes the greatest challenges can come from the unlikeliest of sources, little-known Bob May matched Woods shot for shot at Valhalla. In a major championship version of Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better, Tiger showed that he was better than the absolute best May had to offer. The result was entertainment for the ages.
Tiger's Take: "The fireworks started on the back nine. This is probably one of the greatest duels I've ever had in my life. Hats off to Bob. He played his heart out.''
8. 2005 Masters
You'll remember The Chip. You know, the one on 16 that landed some 30 feet above the hole only to funnel toward the cup and hang inexplicably on the lip before swooshing its way into the hole. The bogey-bogey finish that followed? The playoff against Chris DiMarco? They all take a backseat to one of the most memorable shots of Tiger's career, which led to his first victory in his last 10 major appearances, the culmination of massive swing changes in previous years.
Tiger's Take: "More than anything, it's validation of all the hard work I've put into it. Hank [Haney] and I have put some serious hours into this and, you know, I read some of the articles over [the] past year of him getting ripped, I'm getting ripped for all the changes I'm making, and to play as beautifully as I did this entire week is pretty cool."
9. 1999 PGA Championship
With only one major to Woods' credit -- and none in his previous 10 attempts -- those who had anointed Woods as the Next Big Thing were already looking for the next Next Big Thing. They thought they had found it in Sergio Garcia, an excitable 19-year-old Spaniard who had the look and athleticism to be Tiger's longtime rival. Woods got the best of his young peer that week -- and the chalk outline of Garcia's major career may still rest somewhere on the final holes at Medinah.
Tiger's Take: "To come out of it on top took everything out of me. I just tried to hold him off and did the best I could."
10. 2002 U.S. Open
A return to a municipal facility brought a sense of energy back to the Open and no player was better suited to win one for the blue-collar crowd than Woods. To this day, it remains the lone major in which he and Phil Mickelson finished as the top two competitors, though in reality Tiger's 3-stroke win wasn't met with much of a challenge down the stretch.
Tiger's Take: "It's so hard to describe how good it feels to win a major championship, because it takes so much out of you, and it's so difficult to do because you have to really play well. And you've got to be at the top of your game in order to win a major championship. You can't go out and slop it around and win. And it's just really neat to look at the guys on the list that I'm a part of now. And hopefully my career will keep being positive."
11. 2002 Masters
By lengthening their course nearly 300 yards, Augusta National officials believed they were "Tiger-proofing" the Masters and setting a more level playing field. Think again. Woods surgically dismantled the larger ballpark, winning by 3 strokes to earn his second-straight green jacket and third overall -- trailing only Nicklaus and Palmer on the all-time list.
Tiger's Take: "I keep saying it -- you've got to have some good breaks. I played well this week, made some good putts when I really needed them, but I had some good breaks as well. I was able to somehow finagle a way to get up and down and save a lot of pars this week."
12. 2007 PGA Championship
Frankly, we're still trying to figure out how Woods doesn't own the all-time major championship single-round scoring record by his lonesome, rather than sharing it with some two dozen others. He shot 63 in the second round at Southern Hills, but was left befuddled when his final birdie attempt of the day failed to find the bottom of the cup, leading him to call it a round of "62½." That score did give him the 36-hole lead, though, one which he would never relinquish en route to claiming his first major win since his daughter, Sam, was born.
Tiger's Take: "It's a feeling I've never had before, having Sam there and having Elin there. It feels a lot more special when you have your family there. … So it's evolved, and this one feels so much more special than the other majors. … I was so excited and just want to give Elin and Sam a kiss and get back to signing my scorecard."
13. 2005 British Open
What does it say about a man who can claim a Claret Jug for the second time in as many attempts at the vaunted home of golf, and still have it rank so far down on this list? On a week remembered more for his idol Jack Nicklaus' retiring from major competition, Woods conquered St. Andrews to the tune of a 5-stroke victory -- his largest winning margin at a major in five years.
Tiger's Take: "It's pretty cool. I've kind of gone one past halfway. Jack's got 18, now I have 10. Man, I tell you what, I honestly -- when I first started playing the tour -- I didn't think I'd have this many majors before the age of 30. There's no way. No one ever has. Usually the golden years are in your 30s for a golfer. Hopefully, that will be the case."
14. 2006 PGA Championship
There's no such thing as a "bad" major title and picking one would be like naming a least-favorite child. But Woods' victory at Medinah is certainly the least memorable of the 14 wins. He took sole possession of the lead on the opening hole of the final round and never relinquished it, earning a 5-stroke victory without ever seriously being challenged. If you dozed off and don't remember, don't feel too guilty.
Tiger's Take: "It was a special day out there. I just had one of those magical days on the greens today. I just felt like if I got the ball anywhere on the green, I could make it. It's not too often you get days like that, and I happened to have it on the final round of a major championship. So it was a really neat feeling to have."
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bye Bye Reunion
Reunion Arena may be no longer according to news coming out of Dallas City Hall tonight
According to the Dallas Morning News,
According to the Dallas Morning News,
On Tuesday, the Dallas City Council's economic development committee unanimously recommended closing Reunion Arena by month's end and preparing the 28-year-old facility for demolition
Off the top of my head, the two biggest events in Reunion Arena history were the 1986 final four and the Stanley Cup finals in 1999 and 2000. Many great memories of that place but it is time to let go...
Beatles Because They Kick Ass
Yes, this is most definitely still a sports blog but it never hurts to cover other topics and since I have come across this site recently and I know the Beatles are relevant for basically any generation.
This site has a bunch of YouTube clips and other videos of the Beatles throughout the years and much of these not many people have probably seen if ever in their lifetimes. Cool Stuff.
Here is a link to the site
Just a sample, but here is Paul and the rest of the band singing "Don't Let me Down"
This site has a bunch of YouTube clips and other videos of the Beatles throughout the years and much of these not many people have probably seen if ever in their lifetimes. Cool Stuff.
Here is a link to the site
Just a sample, but here is Paul and the rest of the band singing "Don't Let me Down"
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Secretariat
Seeing Big Brown strangely finish dead last in the Belmont Stakes after looking so invincible in the Preakness and Kentucky Derby was very strange.
There have been many close calls, but the last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978 and it now 30 years and counting. Of all the great horses in history, noone will every touch Secretariat for sheer dominance.
Check out the footage of the 1973 Belmont...
There have been many close calls, but the last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978 and it now 30 years and counting. Of all the great horses in history, noone will every touch Secretariat for sheer dominance.
Check out the footage of the 1973 Belmont...
Greatest Post Game Rant Ever
Watching Ozzie Guillen's rant and the Mariners manger John McLaren go nuts last week brought back fond memories of the greatest post game rant by any manager and probably ever.
Hal McRae
Hal McRae
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Erin Andrews Interview
Jamie Mottram of Mr. Irrelevant and Dan Steinberg of D.C. Sports Blog interview Erin Andrews for the Blog Show. Thanks to Awful Announcing.
Because I know a mention of Erin Andrews always gets cheap hits, and she is greatness. Apparently she just turned 30.
Because I know a mention of Erin Andrews always gets cheap hits, and she is greatness. Apparently she just turned 30.
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