YSU - All Stambaugh Stadium Offensive Unit

This year marks the 25th year of Stambaugh Stadium on the campus of Youngstown State University.....many great teams, players, and coaches have passed through the Ice Castle.....my dad took me to the first game ever played there - a 20-19 loss to Akron in 1982 (9/4/82)....as a student, then sports editor of the school newspaper, and now as a full-time University employee - I love Youngstown State University....in honor of the 25th anniversary, I have compiled my All-YSU Stambaugh Stadium team.....today is a look at the offensive unit...the defensive unit will be released next week....

Head coach - there have been only three head coaches while the Penguins played at Stambaugh Stadium - Bill Narduzzi, Jim Tressel, Jon Heacock......and the winner is - Jim Tressel.....as long as he was on the sidelines, YSU was never out of the game...YSU made some miracle comebacks over the years.....ironically, Tressel lost the last game he ever coached as Stambaugh Stadium 21-20 against Southern Illinois (11/11/00)....SIU was down 20-7 in the fourth quarter only to comeback and win....at the time, no one thought that would be his last game ever at Stambaugh....

Quarterback - Trenton Lykes (1984-87) - there have been great quarterbacks at the helm, but my vote would go to the University’s all-time passing yardage leader - Trenton Lykes....people remember Isaac, Cochran, Burngard, Ryan, and others, but Lykes may have been the best pure quarterback....he played his first two years under the late Bill Narduzzi then finished his career under Jim Tressel....he was the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Player of the Year in 1987....there is no doubt that if he played full-time under Tressel, Lykes would have won a title too....instead he is the forgotten quarterback.....
Other notables: Jeff Ryan (1998-01); Mark Brungard (1992-95); Ray "The Colonel" Isaac (1988-91); Nick Cochran (1990-92); Tom Zetts (2004-07)

Running back - Tamron Smith (1990-93) - still holds the school record for 4,866 career rushing yards....people forget that he was a fullback his freshman year....he was dependable, solid, and a good person...
Fullback - Jake Andreadis (1995-98) - the Rumbling Greek played fullback and running back.....
Other notables: Marcus Mason (2005-06); P.J. Mays (200-02); Shawn Patton (1990, 94); Adrian Brown (1996-99); P.J. Mays (2000-02)

Let’s move to the beef of the team - the offensive line.....
Tackle - Jim Zdelar (1987-88) - he was the Penguins first true stud lineman....he was drafted in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins.....1988 Associated Press First Team All-American....he died in 1993 and the YSU Offensive Lineman of the Year Award was named in his honor....
Guard - Jim Sydlowski (1983-86) - one of only two players to be a two-time winner of the YSU Offensive Lineman of the Year....
Center - Chris Sammarone (1992-94) - 1994 Associated Press First Team All-American.....
Guard - Drew Gerber (1990-93) - started as a freshman and finished as a 1993 Associated Press First Team All-American.....
Tackle - Pat Crummey (1998-01) - the other two-time winner of the YSU Offensive Lineman of the Year...2001 Associated Press First Team All-American.....
Other notables: Matt Hogg (1994-97); Todd Kollar (1994-97); Ryan Jewell (2003-06)

Now for the flash players at wide receiver and tight end.....
Wide Receiver - Herb Williams (1988-92) - fifth all-time in receiving yards....had the knack for making big plays....had 72 receptions in 1992 which is second all-time in a season....
Wide Receiver - Rick Shepas (1983-86) - tied for second all-time in receptions and second overall in receiving yardage.....
Wide Receiver - Trent Boykin (1991-94) - tied for second all-time in receptions.....
Tight end - Ray Ellington (1988-90) - the Penguins rarely utilize a tight end in their offensive scheme, but Ellington was one of the few players who did stretch the defense on occassion....
Other notables: Renauld Ray (1996-99); Elliott Giles (1998-99); Don Zwisler (1992-94)

Field goals were a big part of big wins at YSU.....there were two studs at this position....
Kicker - Jeff Wilkens (1990-93) - he was Mr. Dependable during the Tressel years....he still is kicking for the St. Louis Rams....

YSU should name their annual special teams award to a special coach - Kenny Conatser (photo) ....he was the guru of special teams....somehow, YSU had a knack for blocking punts and field goals while Conatser was in charge of the unit....
Kick returner - Archie Herring (1987-90) - leads YSU in kick-off returns....
Punt returner - Trent Boykin (1991-94) - YSU’s all-time man in this field....

Thoughts on the ACC

Today the spotlight is on the ACC.....here are Stiles Points predictions for this conference.....
Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech (10-2)- the Hokies are loaded on defense with Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi at linebacker and Brandon Flowers in the secondary....Va Tech also has the conference's best running back in Branden Ore...their chance at a national title will be alive and kicking if they can go down to Baton Rouge and beat LSU in a September game...Florida State comes to Blacksburg in mid-November...those two teams will meet up again in the conference title game...

2. Miami (Fla) (8-4)- interesting fact - Randy Shannon is the first U graduate to be head football coach...Miami always has talent, it's just a matter what they do with that talent...Larry Coker's demise began when he choked against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl...Shannon should bring more energy to the Canes...I don't see them doing real well this season especially with non-conference games against Oklahoma and Texas A&M....

3. Virginia (8-4)- the Cavs took their lumps last season with a freshman QB in Jameel Sewell...if he matured during the off-season, the Cavs will have a good quarterback for the next 3 years and will pull off some upsets this year...it all comes down to the QB position...

4. Georgia Tech (6-6) - the Jackets lost Calvin Johnson and a veteran quarterback in Ball....Chan Gailey needs to re-establish the program with a new group of players....but never overlook Georgia Tech...they are capable of stunning anyone in this conference....

5. North Carolina (4-8) - Butch Davis already had some impact on the Tar Heels recruiting this past winter....it will take Carolina a year or two before Davis gets this team among the conference elite....

6. Duke (2-10)- what can we say about the Dukies...Wake Forest's Cinderella season of a year ago could give Duke some hope -- of at least winning a game this year....

Atlantic
1. Florida State (10-2)- the Seminoles played 18 freshmen last season....just like a few years ago when people where questioning JoePa, the same has now happened to Bobby Bowden....the Seminoles will rebound after a 7-6 season and get back in the BCS....

2. Boston College (8-4)- the new coach at Chestnut Hill, Jeff Jagodzinski, was the former QB coach at Green Bay...he has a good QB to work with in Matt Ryan, but the new coaches inexperience will show at times this year...

3. Clemson (8-4)- For some reason Young Bowden could never take Clemson to that next level despite having some quality players....James Davis & CJ Spiller are the 2nd best running back combo in the country (behind Arkansas' twosome)....they do have to replace all-ACC DE Gaines Adams....

4. N.C. State (7-5)- Wolfpack fans should be happy - Chuck Amato is gone...the man who wore skin tight shirts and sunglasses at night was good for one thing - he always beat Florida State....with former BC head coach Tom O'Brien at the helm, the Pack should be a better ballclub...O'Brien overachieved while at BC and should do better with the talent that NC State has...the Pack do have a real weapon in kick returner Darrell Blackmun....

5. Wake Forest (7-5)- God Bless Wake Forest for their Cinderella season of a year ago...I don't see them wearing the glass slipper again this year, but they won't turn into a pumpkin either...the Deacons went 7-1 in close games last year...they will win their share of those games again, but not 7...

6. Maryland (6-6)- it was tough picking the Terps this low...some publications have them in the upper echelon of the ACC - and that very well may happen...Ralph Friedgen is stuck in the tougher Atlantic Division...

ACC Title Game - Virginia Tech over Florida State

Upset Alert
September 20 - Texas A&M @ Miami - it’s a Thursday night game down at The U, but A&M has played in hostile areas before....
September 15 - Virginia @ N. Carolina - a loss to Carolina could throw the Cavs season into a tailspin....this is one of those games they must win.....but Butch Davis is now the coach in Tar Heel country....
November 10 - Virginia @ Miami - the Canes could be looking at their next two opponents: @ Va. Tech and @ B.C....
November 24 - Virginia Tech @ Virginia - Tech is 10-4 against the Cavs since 1993, but if Virginia has the talent to stymie their in-state rival for 1 game....

Best Players
Virginia Tech - Brandon Ore, rb; Chris Ellis, de; Xavier Adibi, ilb; Vince Hall, ilb; Victor Harris, db
Miami- Kenny Phillips, s; Lance Leggett, wr; Calais Campbell, de; Andrew Bain, og
Virginia - Chris Long, de; Jon Copper, ilb
Georgia Tech - Phil Wheeler, ilb
North Carolina - Kentwan Balmer, dt
Duke - Vince Oghobaase, dt
Florida State - Myron Rolle, s; De Cody Fagg, wr; Greg Carr, wr; Paul Griffin, dt
Boston College - Matt Ryan, qb; DeJuan Tribble, db; Brian Toal. lb
Clemson - James Davis, rb; CJ Spiller, rb; Barry Richardson, ot; Michael Hamlin, db
N.C. State - DeMario Pressley, de; Darrell Blackman, kr
Wake Forest - Riley Skinner, qb; Sam Swank, k; Durant Brooks, p
Maryland - Jared Gaither, ot; Andrew Crummey, og; Erin Henderson, olb

Best coach - Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech - he has turned Virginia Tech into one of the best programs in the country....the Hokies are due for another big season...
Best quarterback - Matt Ryan, Boston College - when people mention the top quarterbacks in the country, Ryan's name is hardly mentioned....
Best offensive player - Brandon Ore - Virginia Tech - the Clemson twosome of Spiller and Davis are mighty darn good too, but Ore is a chain mover.....
Best defensive player - Kenny Phillips - Miami - this kid is the next stud from a rich history of Hurricanes who played in the secondary....

Overview - look for the two traditional football powers - Florida State and Virginia Tech - to take control this season....however, there will be a change in power in the next few years.....N.C. State has a better head coach and should start showing improvement over the next two years.....think about how many players from the Wolfpack clubs who went high in the NFL Draft....but somehow Chuck Amato would always finish either 7-4 or 6-5.....the future is bright for Virginia if their young quarterback (Sewell) matures this season.....Clemson always has the talent to become a conference power, but has never come through on a consistent basis....The U has new blood with Randy Shannon and things should be on the rise at North Carolina with Butch Davis.....we cannot forget what Wake Forest did last season either....but for now, the Seminoles and Hokies will hold the fort down while the "youngens" mature....

Russian couples to be given day off to make babies

A story in the Denver Post reports that Russians are encouraged to "procreate"....the story is below:

Moscow - A Russian region of Ulyanovsk has found a novel way to fight the nation's birth-rate crisis: It has declared Sept. 12 the Day of Conception and for the third year running is giving couples time off from work to procreate.

The hope is for a brood of babies exactly nine months later on Russia's national day. Couples who "give birth to a patriot" during the June 12 festivities win money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes.

Ulyanovsk, about 550 miles east of Moscow, has held similar contests since 2005. Since then, the number of competitors, and the number of babies born to them, has been on the rise.

Russia, with one-seventh of Earth's land surface, has just 141.4 million citizens, making it one of the most sparsely settled countries in the world. With a low birth rate and a high death rate, the population has been shrinking since the early 1990s.

In his state-of-the-nation address last year, President Vladimir Putin called the demographic crisis the most acute problem facing Russia and announced a broad effort to boost Russia's birth rate, including cash incentives to families that have more than one child.

Ulyanovsk Gov. Sergei Morozov has added an element of fun to the national campaign.

The 2007 grand prize went to Irina and Andrei Kartuzov, who received a UAZ-Patriot, a sport utility vehicle. Other contestants won video cameras, TVs, refrigerators and washing machines.

Big Ten Preview - the pressure is on Michigan

Stiles Points moves to the beef conference - the Big Ten where muscle and brawn are the order of the day....

1. Michigan (11-1) - this is it for Michigan....they have to produce a win over Ohio State and win their bowl game....they must set the tone for the season against Oregon....Mike Hart (photo) is determined to beat Ohio State...

2. Penn State (10-2) - the Lions have a favorable schedule with Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wisky all at Happy Valley....if Paterno can find a way to get Derrick Williams loose like he did 2 years ago, this will be a big year....

3. Ohio State (9-3) - the Bucks have an easy schedule....but watch for an upset in Seattle....this team will get better as the year goes on....9-3 is considered a bad year for Tressel....

4. Wisconsin (9-3) - if the Badgers had Stocco back at qb, I would have had them at #2 in the conference....they have to travel to Penn State and Ohio State....P.J. Hill is the heart of this team....but hard to pick in favor of them with Stocco and Joe Thomas gone....

5. Purdue (8-4) - nine players return on offense....if they can survive these 3 games in a row, Notre Dame, Ohio State, @ Michigan, Joe Tiller will have a nice year....

6. Iowa (6-6) - Kirk Ferentz is the most over-rated head coach in the country....he had two nice seasons about four years ago and has done nothing since.....this program is just average - at best...

7. Illinois (6-6) - this is the team on the rise....they will pull off an upset somewhere during the season....but I could then see them losing to an Indiana or Northwestern....growing pains...

8. Michigan State (4-8) - it will take Mark Dantonio at least a year to get these players out of the doldrums of John L. Smith.....one thing is for certain, the Spartans will be a more disciplined team than in the past few years....

9. Indiana (3-9) - the Hoosiers will play some inspired football for Terry Hoeppner...

10. Minnesota (3-9) - like Michigan State, this team is in transition....they have to learn how to win games after the Glen Mason era....

11. Northwestern (2-10) - this program took too much of a hit with the sudden death of Randy Walker before last season....

Upset Alert
September 15 - Ohio State @ Washington - the Buckeyes are a way better team than Washington, but Ty Willingham needs a signature win as pressure mounts in the Northwest....people also forget that Washington almost upset Southern Cal last season....
September 29 - Penn State @ Illinois - Ron Zook is waiting for a big win....remember, Illinois only lost to the mighty Buckeyes last season 17-10....
October 6 - Ohio State @ Purdue - the Boilers are loaded on offense....and could pull a shocker at home....
October 20 - Michigan @ Michigan State - Dantonio is a Tressel disciple.....the clock is ticking in East Lansing for this game....and the Wolverines could be looking ahead to Wisky the next week.....

Key Players
Michigan - Mike Hart, rb; Jake Long, ot; Chad Henne, qb; Mario Manningham, wr; Shawn Crable, olb
Penn State - Dan Connor, lb; Justin King, cb; Derrick Williams, wr, Deon Butler, wr; Sean Lee, olb
Ohio State - Malcolm Jenkins, cb; Kirk Barton, ot; James Laurinaitis, lb; Chris Wells, rb; Vernon Gholston, de
Wisconsin - Nick Hayden, dt; P.J. Hill, rb; Taylor Mehlhaff, k; Chris Pressley, fb; Jack Ikegwuono, s
Purdue - Curtis Painter, qb; Dorien Bryant, wr; Jordan Grimes, og
Iowa - Kenny Iwebema, de
Illinois - Juice Williams qb; J. Leman, lb; Rashard Mendenhall, rb; Arrellous Benn, wr
Michigan State - Otis Wiley, s; Javon Ringer, rb
Indiana - Marcus Thigpen, kr; Tracy Porter, pr
Minnesota - Amir Pinnix, rb; Willie VanDeSteeg, de
Northwestern - Tyrell Sutton, rb

Best coach - Jim Tressel, Ohio State - somehow he always seems to come out smelling like a rose...
Best quarterback - Chad Henne, Michigan - Henne is a talented player and leader, but he is 0-6 combined in bowl games and versus Ohio State....
Best offensive player - Mario Manningham - Michigan - when this kid is healthy, Michigan's offense may be unstoppable...he is a game changer...
Best defensive player - James Laurinaitis - the next linebacker just steps in and the Buckeyes do not miss a beat....I could understand why former Gopher head coach Glen Mason was sick when Laurinaitis got away....

Overview - the Big Ten needs to make a statement this bowl season after the whooping that Michigan and Ohio State took in their bowl games - it was an embarrassment....Michigan has the talent to take the whole works, but somehow I could see them losing to a Purdue or Illinois....one thing is for certain, Michigan must beat Ohio State and win their bowl game this year....the surprise team of this conference could be Purdue....Joe Tiller is due to have a solid team after the last few mediocre seasons....and you can never overlook Ohio State....remember when Peyton Manning left Tennessee, the Volunteers fans thought they were going to have an average year....but out of the blue, a kid named Tee Martin led them to a BCS title....Ohio State has the coach and easy schedule to pull it off....

Former Yankee Great Phil Rizzuto Dies

Phil Rizzuto, Hall of Famer and New York Yankees All-Star shortstop, died today.

Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto, who overcame his diminutive size to become a key contributor to numerous New York Yankees championships and followed his playing career with a lengthy and entertaining stint in the team's broadcast booth, died Tuesday. He was 89.

Big East Predictions

Stiles Points is providing predictions for all the major conferences....today it is the Big East.....
1. West Virginia (12-0) - this team learned a lot over the last two years while posting a 22-3 mark....the X factor will be freshman Noel Devine....Pat White (photo) is an amazing talent at quarterback and Steve Slaton is a Heisman candidate....should be a fun year in Morgantown....

2. S. Florida (9-3) - the Bulls are the best kept secret in the nation....they pounded The ‘Ville 2 years ago and beat West Virginia last year....remember the name Mike Ford - a freshman running back who couldn’t make the grade at Alabama....he supposed to be the real deal....the Bulls return 9 on offense and 7 on a defense that only gave up 17 points a game....

3. Louisville (9-3) - even though Brian Brohm is back at quarterback, the Cards will miss Bobby Petrino....they return six on defense and added former Miami linebacker Willie Williams....they do have the best wide receivers in the conference....

4. Rutgers (8-4) - Greg Schiano will not be able to surprise anyone this year....Ray Rice will have to carry the load this year....

5. Pitt (7-5) - the Panthers were 6-1 at one point last year, then tanked the rest of the season....Wannstedt has recruited well and it will start to show this year....the Panthers took a hit by losing all-conference wideout Derek Kinder to a knee injury during summer practice...

6. Cincinnati (5-7) - the Bearcats have to start over again with another new coach....they return 16 players....

7. Syracuse (4-8) - is it too late to get Coach McPherson out of retirement?....

8. Connecticut (3-9) - this program was going north a few years ago, but has fallen on hard times....

Upset Alert
Sept. 28 - West Virginia @ S. Florida - a Friday night game in which West Virginia must have their A game or their title game hopes will not even make it to October.....
Sept. 29 - Louisville @ N.C. State - Chuck Amato is no longer the coach at N.C. State....the Wolfpack will be tough to beat at home....
Nov. 25 - S. Florida @ Pitt - the Bulls host Louisville the week before and could be in line for a let down in Pitt’s final home game of the year....plus it will also be cold this time of year....

Best Players
W. Virginia - Steve Slaton - rb; Patrick White - qb
S. Florida - Ben Moffitt - lb; Mike Jenkins - cb
Louisville - Brian Brohm - qb; Harry Douglas - wr; Mario Urrutia - wr; Malik Jackson - lb
Rutgers - Ray Rice - rb; Jeremy Ito - k; Anthony Davis - g
Pitt - Lowell Robinson - kr
Cincinnati - Dominick Goodman - wr
Syracuse - Jameel McClain - de
Connecticut - Danny Lansanah - mlb

Best coach - Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia - there are some good coaches in this conference, but R-Rod is the leader
Best quarterback - Pat White, West Virginia - Brian Brohm will be a better NFL quarterback, but Pat White is the man in college....he can beat you running and throwing....
Best offensive player - Steve Slaton, West Virginia - the kid is a beast....
Best defensive player - Ben Moffitt, S. Florida - everything I read about this kid indicates he is a difference maker....

Overview - forget the naysayers who bash the Big East.....last season proved that the Big East is a legitimate football conference and will only get better in time.....for instance, freshman offensive lineman Anthony Davis picked Rutgers over Ohio State when he was choosing his college....a few years ago that would not have happened....all the players and coaches in the conference are setting the foundation for a solid future of this conference.....they are the trendsetters....

Five Good Questions with Steve Sipple about Nebraska

Today's Five Good Questions is with Steve Sipple of the Lincoln Journal Star.....Steve took the time to respond to some questions about the Nebraska Cornhuskers....I want to thank him for his time....

Q1. Bill Callahan is beginning his fourth season as head coach at Nebraska. Has Husker Nation accepted the changes he has made such as running the West Coast offense?
As expected, there was some initial resistance to some things the new coach was doing. It didn't help matters that his first team finished with a 5-6 record. But fans have warmed to Callahan because they see progress in the program. The Huskers had records of 8-4 and 9-5 in the head coach's second and third seasons, and it's clear he has upgraded talent across the board. As for the West Coast offense, many people erroneously regarded it as a "finesse" system initially. However, Callahan's system emphasizes a "pound the rock" mentality -- in fact "Pound the 'Rock" was the theme of last year's preseason camp. He emphasizes the need for a punishing ground attack to go with an elaborate passing system. People in these parts appreciate physical football.

Q2. On September 15th, number 1 Southern Cal will be visiting Lincoln. How big of a game is this for Bill Callahan and the football program? What are Nebraska's chances of winning this game?
I'd say it's a huge game because Nebraska is in need of a "breakthrough" win against an elite-level opponent. Four of last year' s losses occurred against such programs (USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Auburn). Now Husker fans hunger for such a victory. I think Nebraska will have a decent chance to beat USC because the Huskers are awfully good on their home field at night. I think it'll be crucial for NU to have success early in the game. If they can jump ahead on the scoreboard and build momentum, the crowd will get really loud. It's tough for any team to turn back that tidal wave of noise and emotion once it gets rolling.

Q3. What is the overall strength of this team and what areas are they weak at?
Nebraska possesses a deep and talented corps of receivers and a huge and efficient offensive line. The Huskers lost two-year starting quarterback Zac Taylor to graduation. But Sam Keller, a transfer from ASU, appears set to take over at QB and seems to have enormous potential. He's battling for the starting job with junior Joe Ganz, a hard-nosed competitor and a popular player on the team. Defensively, Nebraska must replace all four starters on the line, including Adam Carriker, the 13th overall selection in last April's NFL Draft (to the St. Louis Rams). However, the Huskers have a talented and experienced group of linebackers, led by preseason All-Big 12 choice Bo Ruud. The secondary was a major issue last season, but appears to be improved.

Q4. Sam Keller takes over at quarterback this year. He was a former starting quarterback at Arizona State. What do you expect from Keller this year? Does he have a good grasp of Callahan's offense?
See above. Yes, by all accounts, Keller has a good grasp of the offense. I think Keller ultimately will capture the starting job and put up good numbers in his only season as starter (he's a fifth-year senior). He started seven games at ASU in 2007 before a thumb injury ended his season. He has a ton of experience against elite teams (LSU and USC, for instance) and has put up big numbers (461 passing yards and four touchdowns against LSU, for instance). Taylor threw for 3,197 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. I think Keller can exceed those numbers.

Q5. Overall, what do you expect from this year's team? What will be their final record?
I see them as a 9-3 team in the regular season, and champions of the Big 12 North with a 6-2 record (same as last season). In order to take the proverbial "next step," the Huskers would need to capture the Big 12 title game and make it to a BCS game. I think NU will have a decent chance to beat the South champion in the league title game. NU now has talent on its starting units that is comparable to Texas and Oklahoma. Those teams, however, still have more depth than Nebraska.

Once again, I want to thank Steve for his time...

Early Football Line on Big College Games

Phil Steele’s Northcoast Sports Service (Power Sweep) has released the early line for this year’s big college football games.....here is what the line would be if these games were played today.....

September 1 - Georgia Tech @ Notre Dame - Notre Dame -7.5

September 8 - Miami (Fla) @ Oklahoma - Oklahoma -7
September 8 - Virginia Tech @ LSU - LSU -10.5

September 15 - Tennessee @ Florida - Florida -6
September 15 - Notre Dame @ Michigan - Michigan -9
September 15 - Southern Cal @ Nebraska - Southern Cal -12

September 20 - Texas A&M @ Miami (Fla) - Miami -6

September 22 - Georgia @ Alabama - Alabama -2.5

September 29 - Alabama vs. Florida State - Florida State -8 (neutral field - at Jacksonville)
September 29 - Auburn @ Florida - Florida -9

October 6 - Oklahoma vs. Texas - Even (neutral field - at Dallas)
October 6 - Florida @ LSU - LSU -6.5

October 11 - Florida State @ Wake Forest - Florida State -8

Ocotber 13 - Wisconsin @ Penn State - Wisconsin -2

October 20 - Tennessee @ Alabama - Even
October 20 - Miami (Fla) @ Florida State - Florida State -4
October 20 - Southern Cal @ Notre Dame - Southern Cal -14
October 20 - Auburn @ LSU - LSU -11
October 20 - Boston College @ Virginia Tech - Va. Tech -14

October 27 - Nebraska @ Texas - Texas -10
October 27 - Florida vs. Georgia - Florida -3 (neutral field - at Jacksonville)

November 3 - Wisconsin vs. Ohio State - Ohio State -3
November 3 - LSU @ Alabama - LSU -6.5

November 8 - Louisville @ West Virginia - W. Virginia -7

November 10 - Auburn @ Georgia - Georgia -6
November 10 - Michigan @ Wisconsin - Wisconsin -2.5
November 10 - Southern Cal @ Cal - Southern Cal -9.5

November 17 - Miami (Fla) @ Virginia Tech - Va. Tech - 9
November 17 - Ohio State @ Michigan - Michigan -6

November 23 - Texas @ Texas A&M - Texas -2.5

November 24 - Florida State @ Florida - Florida -5.5
November 24 - Georgia @ Georgia Tech - Georgia -2
November 24 - Alabama @ Auburn - Auburn -3

November 29 - Rutgers @ Louisville - Louisville -15.5

December 1 - UCLA @ Southern Cal - Southern Cal -13

The Sunday Baker's Dozen - Sunday, August 12, 2007

Sunday Fact - Including playoff games, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are 55-55 all-time versus each other.

The Associated Press writes how Urban Meyer wants to run a two quarterback system again - but his options are slim who is going to be number two.... "It might not be possible. Highly touted sophomore Tim Tebow, a formidable runner who successfully shared snaps with Chris Leak last year, has taken over the starting job." ....

Associated Press

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein writes how the Green Bay Packers allow cornerback Charles Woodson to use his instincts.... "Ask Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders about the aggressiveness with which Woodson goes after the ball on defense and he'll tell you that Woodson is a crafty, instinctive player who might take a chance or two but would never, ever freelance." ....

Tom Silverstein

Washington Post reporter Eric Prisbell writes how Cal's DeSean Jackson wants to "strike the pose".... "DeSean Jackson was only 4 years old on Nov. 23, 1991, but the California wide receiver has since seen replays of a certain 13-second sequence from that day so many times he can visualize the dramatic events with clarity." ....

Eric Prisbell

Seattle Post-Intelligencer sports columnist writes how Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander is approaching 30-years-old and still an elite back.... "When running backs turn 30, a pestilence spreads through their bodies, leaving behind a graying, gooey pile of sagging flesh. Think Ebola, only uglier." ....

Ted Miller

Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan writes about David Beckham.... "He's just a football-loving kid from Leytonstone in the east of London who grew up wanting desperately to play for Manchester United, which he did." ....

Bob Ryan

Washington Post's Les Carpenter writes about another side of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.... "Tomlin moves quickly around the Steelers camp, slapping players on the back, waving to fans and playing practical jokes on his assistant coaches." ....

Les Carpenter

Atlanta Journal Constitution reporter Michelle Hiskey about a Georgia Bulldog player whose mother was beaten to death earlier this year.... "She never missed a game, and that includes my basketball games since I was 14. I showed up if she was singing at church, or at her job if she needed me there." ....

Michelle Hiskey

The Associated Press' Arnie Stapleton writes about Denver's Javon Walker who held the late Darrent Williams in his arms when he was murdered on New Year's Eve.... "Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker says he still has the bloodied shirt from the night teammate Darrent Williams died in his arms in a drive-by shooting on New Year's Day." ...

Arnie Stapleton

Plain Dealer sports columnist writes about the quarterback battle at Cleveland Browns camp.... "Top draft pick Brady Quinn has to make up for lost time from his holdout, but nothing that happened Saturday night in the exhibition opener dissuaded those who think he will be starting under center by the seventh game, following the bye week in October." ....

Bill Livingston

Remember when Drew Henson had the world in his hands by being a two sport stud....Detroit Free Press reporter Shawn Windsor writes how Henson is now getting his last shot in the NFL.... "It was painful because Henson -- once the can't-miss prospect from the University of Michigan and Brighton High with the rifle arm and a jaw cut from central casting -- was competing at Minnesota Vikings training camp with Tyler Thigpen, a rookie from Coastal Carolina, just to make the team. Thigpen played in Friday's exhibition opener; Henson didn't." ....

Shawn Windsor

Dallas Morning News reporter Calvin Watkins writes how Greg Ellis' time may be winding down with the Cowboys.... "Greg Ellis wants to play in 2007, but for the first time since training camp has started, he's losing confidence that will happen." ....

Calvin Watkins

Dayton Daily News sports columnist Tom Archdeacon writes about former heavyweight boxer Greg Page.... " . . . thanks, in part, to an unconscionable display of ineptitude, carelessness and almost total disregard for the boxers by a fight promoter, an unlicensed ringside doctor and a state boxing commission — he nearly died in the ring." ....

Tom Archdeacon

New York Times sports columnist Murray Chass writes how the brother combination was popular this year in baseball.... "Fourteen sets of brothers have played in the majors this season." ...

Murray Chass