Five Good Questions with Jack Daly about North Carolina Basketball

Today's Five Good Questions is with Jack Daly of the Durham Herald Sun....Jack took the time to respond about this year's North Carolina Tar Heels.....

Q1. What are the Tar Heels strengths?
A. UNC has perhaps the best college player in the country in Tyler Hansbrough, who goes all out on every play. The Tar Heels have the fastest point guard in the country in Ty Lawson. They have one of the better scorers in Wayne Ellington. And they have sixth-man extraordinaire Danny Green coming off the bench. So UNC doesn't lack in talent, which means they have little trouble scoring. UNC has the second best offense in the country.

Q2. What area(s) must North Carolina improve upon?
A. Defense. Focus to a certain degree (Losing to Maryland at home? Really?), but defense is the obvious one. This has been a recurring problem and has flared up especially in recent weeks. UNC's opponents have shot at least 50 percent in one half in six of the Tar Heels' last seven games. The only team not to do that was Maryland, which, of course, beat the Tar Heels. With Bobby Frasor's injury (he tore his ACL on Dec. 27 and will miss the rest of the season), UNC's depth isn't as overwhelming as it's made out to be.

Q3. Most of the country knows Tyler Hansbrough (photo) and Wayne Ellington, but who are some other players on this team that people should not overlook?
A. Ty Lawson and Danny Green. Most of the country probably knows Lawson as well. But Green's a key player for the Tar Heels, giving the team an offensive threat off the bench. And he's a really good dancer.

Q4. What has Hansbrough done over the last year to improve his game? Is he an all-around player now?
A. I think you could call Tyler an all-around player. His defense is the only thing may cause hesitation. Hansbrough generally doesn't shut down an opponent's big man if that player is talented and as tall as Hansbrough (6-foot-9).

Q5. How good is this North Carolina team compared to the team that won the title a few years ago?
A. We'll see. I'm not trying to be flip, but UNC still hasn't played enough top-25 teams to have a great idea. Once the Tar Heels play Duke on Feb. 6, we'll have a much better handle. Considering the way this team plays defense at the6 moment, I think the logical conclusion is this team isn't as good as the 2005 team. That doesn't mean the Tar Heels won't improve and reach the Final Four. When you have a nucleus of Hansbrough, Lawson and Ellington, you have the necessary pieces to be considered an NCAA title contender.

Once again, I would like to thank Jack for his time....

Five Good Questions with Diane Pucin about UCLA Basketball

Today's "Five Good Questions" is with Diane Pucin of The Los Angeles Times....Diane covers UCLA basketball and was kind enough to take a few minutes to respond to these five questions....

Q1. What is your assessment of UCLA so far this season?
A. The season has gone a bit better than I expected because of the injury problems UCLA has suffered. Of its top nine guys six have missed significant numbers of games or practices. Point guard Darren Collison still hasn't reached the physical condition of last year that drew NBA scout attention his way. But he's getting there.

Q2. What area(s) must the team improve upon?
A. UCLA needs to get better operating its offense against zone defenses. The Bruins could struggle against a really good zone defensive team in the NCAA tournament.

Q3. How much of an impact has Kevin Love (photo) been this season?
A. Kevin Love has made a huge impact. He was criticized, rightly, for being a bit out of shape and Ben Howland was criticized for not figuring out how to get Love the ball more in the paint. But when Pac-10 season started, Love has just turned his talent up. People who don't see the Pac-10 much don't know how impressive his 26 points and 18 rebounds were at Oregon Thursday or how he dominated Brook and Robin Lopez at Stanford and DeVon Hardin and Ryan Anderson at California.

Q4. Overall, how would you rate the PAC-10 this season?
A. It may sound homerish but I grew up in Big 10 Country and worked in Philadelphia for 11 years and from what I've seen this year, the Pac-10 is the toughest conference in the country. It has more good players. Oregon State, which hasn't won a conference game yet, has talent. Teams that win at McArthur Court at Oregon or at Maples Pavilion at Stanford or go to Pullman and beat Washington State must play very good basketball.

Q5. Last question, why does the team have a different color in the letter "C" on their uniform?
A. The different-colored "C" is to honor UCLA's having won 100 NCAA sports championships. The "C" stands for 100 in roman numerals.

I want to thank Diane for her time....

Super Bowl Articles

New York Times sports columnist Dave Anderson writes that the ‘72 Dolphins were not the only perfect pro football team..... "But buried in a forgotten pro football graveyard is a forgotten unbeaten and untied team, the 1948 Cleveland Browns." ....

Dave Anderson

Legenday Newark Star Ledger sports columnist Jerry Izenberg writes about New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.... "He had come to a football team whose upper management knew the inmates had been about as disciplined as the Happy Hour Nursery School at recess on a rainy afternoon. They had finished the previous season about six inches this side of anarchy." ....

Jerry Izenberg

New York Daily News sports columnist Mike Lupica writes how Peyton will be part of the conversation all week even though his team lost..... "Peyton Manning is the third quarterback in this Super Bowl. It means one more star quarterback than usual, one more than we really need since we already have his kid brother against Tom Brady." ....

Mike Lupica

New York Daily News sports reporter Hank Gola compared Bill Belichick's best offense (‘07 Pats) vs. his best defense (‘86 Giants)..... "Take the best defense he ever coached, the '86 Giants under Bill Parcells, and pit them against the best offense he ever coached, this year's record-setting Patriot bunch. Lawrence Taylor running down Tom Brady. Randy Moss working his way deep. Harry Carson against the Patriots' running game. It would make one heck of a video game or electric football game for you old-timers." ....

Hank Gola

Boston Globe sports columnist Jackie MacMullen writes about New England's fourth receiver..... "Gaffney represents a unique distinction that would have sent Dickens scrambling for his inkwell: He was a card-carrying member of the dubious Patriots receiving corps last year that endured the worst of times, as well as the current elite group, which has enjoyed the very best of times." .....

Jackie MacMullen

Arizona Republic sports columnist Dan Bickley writes how Las Vegas is predicting a big day come Super Bowl Sunday.... "I've already talked with the directors of most major books in town, and this will be the largest wagered Super Bowl in the history of legal sports gambling," said renowned handicapper Brandon Lang . . . " .....

Dan Bickley

Random Thoughts - Clinton bashing and other things

I haven't written anything in a few days....plus I need a break here at work....so here it goes:

- What is such the big fuss about Heath Ledger dying?.....he made one big movie in which he portrayed a gay cowboy.....the media is making a bigger deal about Ledger's death than they did about Johnny Podres.....and let me tell you, Podres will always have more status in Brooklyn than this Ledger kid....

- Straight-up Hillary Clinton cannot beat Barak Obama.....that is why she brought her husband into the fray....so basically Obama has to beat both Hillary and Mr. Ego.....

- I love how the Clintons act like this is not about them - they are for the people.....yeh right, it has always been about the Clintons and will always be about the Clintons.....

- Bill Clinton is making himself out as some egomaniac jerk who is power hungry.....

- Remember when the talk shows used to rip on Chelsea Clinton when she was a little girl.....she's not bad looking now....

- I hate it when black people say that Bill Clinton is more black than Obama.....Bill Clinton is WHITE.....deny it all you want, the fact remains that Bill Clinton is WHITE....Hillary Clinton is WHITE.....they will always be WHITE.....

- Is Ed Rendell positioning himself to be Hillary's vice-president?....

- If she does become president, is Hillary going to shed a tear whenever things get tough for her?......ohhh booo hooo....poor Hillary.....

- If you are leading in the polls, expect to get ripped by your opponents and the media.....that's the way it goes.....

- Is the Democratic Party in such poor shape that they have to have another Clinton represent their party?......you mean there is not one other viable, qualified Democrat in this nation?......

- I just used the men's room here at work....I hate it when there is still a lingering smell of a dump with a hint of aftershave mixed in....

- Remember, eat fish on Friday.....

- Remember when Fred Thompson was going to be our next president?.....

- Whatever happened to Donna Rice?.....

- Why doesn't Dennis Kucinich just go away already?.....

- I love it when Tim Russert stuck it to Hillary.....

- Poor Hillary.....we can't blame her though.....we all know that she was born with a silver broomstick stuck up her ass.....

Thoughts on the Championship Games

Thoughts on yesterday's Conference Championship Games
- Fox's Joe Buck is an idiot as a play-by-play football announcer...during the fourth quarter he made an idiotic comment that Eli Manning was doing a good job "managing the game"....WHAT?!?!?....Eli was not "managing the game"....he was kicking ass out there and leading his team to victory with his precision passing...Buck better learn what the term "managing the game" really means...someone like Trent Dilfer "managed the game" when he was with the Ravens when he didn't screw up and allowed his great defense to win the game...

- After a great season, Brett Favre turned back into the Favre of old - a gunslinger who tried to win the game on his own...to me it looked like the cold weather affected Favre more than it did Eli...

- Tom Brady did not play well but the entire Patriots team helped win that game...

- Kevin Faulk was my MVP of the Patriots-Chargers game with his key receptions of poorly thrown balls during the fourth quarter...

Boston Globe's Bob Ryan writes that New England is just not some aerial circus team.... "The fact is they've been playing trench warfare football for the past eight weeks. An additional fact is that in the last two weeks they have been a classic playoff team; i.e. one that wins with defense and smashmouth offense." ....

Bob Ryan

New York Daily News' Mike Lupica writes how the Giants win over Green Bay is one for the ages..... "When it was over, finally, as they were filing out in a Green Bay night that now made this seem like the coldest place on Earth, here outside the Giants locker room was Eli Manning, the best quarterback in the game last night, by a lot, standing with his mother and his fiancée and his father, Archie Manning, who never came close to a day like this in pro football. Archie hugged Eli, then pulled away and said, "I'm awful proud of you." .....

Mike Lupica.

New York Daily News' Filip Bondy writes that the Patriots had a "dirty" win.... "If you want to hate the Patriots - and who doesn't? - then here was yet another reason to gnash your teeth and curse the scoreboard. The Pats won ugly Sunday, and maybe a little dirty." ....

Filip Bondy

Sports Illustrated's Peter King gives his thoughts on the two games and the cold.... "I decide to do my own test. I place an unopened can of LaCroix sparkling water on the window sill of my room. The Weather Channel had predicted minus-34 wind-chill temperatures for daybreak Sunday. I figure: Modern, new hotel. Thick glass. New insulation. And the room's heating unit is directly below the sill. There's no way the LaCroix is going to freeze overnight. Way. Sunday, at 7:25 a.m. Central Time, I pop the top of the LaCroix, take a swig, and semi-coagulated chunks of ice come through the hole. Then nothing. Frozen." ....

Peter King

Chicago Sun Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti writes how the Patriots celebrated, but did not party after their win.... "But if you were waiting for an outbreak of raw, unruly exhilaration, you were sorely disappointed. The Patriots are so methodical, so meticulous and so focused, they've reduced even the traditional title party to a formality." ....

Jay Mariotti

Conference Title Game Predictions and Articles

Championship Game predictions and a few thoughts:
New England 27 San Diego 10
- New England came this far, there is no way they lose this game - NO WAY!...
- I want the Patriots to win for 2 reasons 1) stick it to those miserable cranky '72 Dolphins; and 2) it would suck if the Chargers made the Super Bowl the year after Marty Schottenheimer got fired...
- Philip Rivers has been running his mouth, but at least he won two playoff games...that is something the great Tony Romo can say...
- On the flip side, Romo is banging Jessica Simpson and did bang Carrie Underwood...

Green Bay 21 N.Y. Giants 16
- I wish Pat Summerall was doing the play-by-play instead of Joe Buck....Summerall's voice would fit great with this match-up of Packers/Giants...
- Is it me or is Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy not getting enough credit for Green Bay's success this season?...
- The Giants have not missed a beat without Jeremy Shockey at tight end...that rookie, Kevin Boss, is one bad ass himself...
- What makes this Giants team a little more effective in the passing game this year is that Amani Toomer is healthy...Toomer missed most of last season with a knee injury...
- Tiki Barber?....who needs stinking Tiki Barber?...

San Diego @ New England
San Diego Union Tribune sports reporter Bill Center writes about Bill Volek's sudden thrust into the spotlight..... "Over the NFL's past 39 seasons, no quarterback has thrown for more yards in his first 10 starts than Billy Volek. Problem is, Volek has made only 10 starts in his eight professional seasons – and only one since 2004." ...

Bill Center

Boston Globe sports columnist Jackie MacMullen writes how Randy Moss has been spectacular on the field and an enigma off it..... "His performance has made him millions of dollars, but also made him a public figure, whose mistakes have been highlighted nearly as much as his accomplishments." ...

Jackie MacMullen

N.Y. Giants @ Green Bay
New York Daily News sports columnist Mike Lupica writes that a Giants-Packers match-up just feels right.... "This one at Lambeau Field feels as if it comes out of the days when big championship games seemed to come along all the time for Giants fans. This one feels like all the old rivalries, Giants-Colts in the '50s and Giants-Packers again in the early '60s, the Giants against the Bears in any NFL decade." ....

Mike Lupica

Green Bay Press-Gazette reporter Brett Christopherson writes how the 1961 NFL Title Game between the Packers and Giants set the Lombardi Dynasty in motion..... "While the 1967 title game between Green Bay and Dallas — known to the world as the Ice Bowl — often is thought of as the signature game of the Lombardi dynasty, it's the Dec. 31, 1961 matchup that launched one of the most dominant eras of modern football." ....

Brett Christopherson

Conference Championship Game Trends

The Conference Championship Games will be played on Sunday....interestingly, The Gold Sheet published an article this week about how these title games are often times not competitive....

The Gold Sheet

Since 2000, the home team is 5-2 Straight Up (SU) in the NFC while the home team does not fare so well in the AFC with a mark of 3-4 SU....

Over that same time span, the NFC Underdogs are 4-3...however, the favorite has covered the last three years in the NFC: Chicago -2.5 over New Orleans; Seattle -3.5 over Carolina; and Philadelphia -5.5 over Atlanta....

On the AFC side, the Dogs are 4-3 over the last seven years...

Here is the most interesting trend...since starting the season 8-0 Against the Spread (ATS), the Patriots have struggled ATS with a mark of 2-7 including four straight losses....on the flip side, San Diego is read hot ATS...the Chargers have won their last eight games ATS....

In the NFC, the Giants are 6-1 in their last seven games ATS including winning their last four games...the Packers are just as good as they have posted a 9-2 mark ATS...

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has a special section devoted to the NFC Championship Game....

Green Bay Packers Special Section

Ohm Youngmisuk of the New York Daily News writes how both teams are preparing for the cold weather.... "While Sunday's game won't approach that or the coldest NFL game ever played - the legendary 1967 "Ice Bowl" NFL Championship Game at Lambeau between the Packers and Cowboys played in minus-13 degree weather with a wind chill of minus-48 - it will still be freezing." ....

Ohm Youngmisuk

The Boston Globe's Mike Reiss breaks down each position and see who has the advantage between the Patriots and Chargers....

Mike Reiss

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Nick Canepa tells the national media to deal with the fact that the Chargers, not the Colts, are in the conference title game..... "I'm sick of it all. Why play the games? Why bother? Just get those "American Idol" idiots to pick the Super Bowl finalists. Don't have a regular season. Don't have playoffs. Go straight to the Roman numerals." ....

Nick Canepa

Former Brooklyn Dodger hero Johnny Podres dies

On Sunday, former Brooklyn Dodgers hero Johnny Podres died....everyday I look through various newspapers on the internet, including the New York City papers.....but I did not find out until a few minutes ago when a small note was in today's USA Today on page 5.....Podres' death deserved more attention than being in the notes section....steroids and Congressional hearings were on the front of the sports sections....I also did not see it on ESPN.com.....

For those who are not familiar with Podres, he brought Brooklyn Dodger fans their only World Series title while in Brooklyn when he beat the hated cross town Yankees in game 7 of the 1955 World Series....he is not in the Hall of Fame, but Podres did not need that honor....by beating the great New York Yankees, he was a hero to all in the borough of Brooklyn.....it is just ashame that today's media relegated his death to the inside of the sports page...

New York Times Obit

Championship Game Stories

San Diego Union-Tribune Tim Sullivan writes that somehow, the Chargers keep surviving.... “In Greek myth, these tag-team monsters are known as the Scylla and the Charybdis. In the NFL, they are the defending champion Indianapolis Colts and the so-far unbeaten New England Patriots.” ....

Tim Sullivan

Boston Globe’s Mike Reiss gets a variety of opinions about the Chargers.... “Former NFL head coach Dennis Green, whose background was on the offensive side of the ball, has spent considerable time inspecting the defenses of both clubs in his role as an analyst for Westwood One radio.” ....

Mike Reiss

New York Daily News’ Mike Lupica talked with former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi about Eli Manning’s growth..... “So Accorsi, who was taping the game, hoping to watch all of it later secure in the knowledge that the Giants had won, was in church when he found out that somehow the Giants had gone down the field in the last minute of the first half and scored.” ....

Mike Lupica

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Greg Bedard writes how Green Bay’s defensive front has been playing big.... “The Packers ended up giving up just 28 yards rushing in 18 carries, by the far the lowest mark of the season. They sacked Matt Hasselbeck twice and officially registered five additional pressures. But it felt like more. The Packers' front dominated the Seahawks' offensive line and set the tone for a defense that essentially yielded just three points and gave up a season-low 200 yards of total offense.” .....

Greg Bedard

Thoughts on this weekend's games

Here are a few thoughts from each of this weekend's NFL Playoff games....

Seattle @ Green Bay
- I am not a big Brett Favre fan, but it was nice to see the "old man" win....
- Greg Jennings is fast becoming a star in this league
- Just two years ago Shaun Alexander was the league MVP....his star has fallen fast....

Jacksonville @ New England
- New England's fake Statue of Liberty play was a thing of beauty....
- Jacksonville needs to get the ball in Maurice Jones-Drew's hands a few more times during a game....

San Diego @ Indianapolis
- It has been a lost season for Marvin Harrison
- The Colts need to re-work their defense...sure Dwight Freeney was lost for the season, but there is no way they should have let Billy Volek beat them...
- I hope New England kicks the shit out of San Diego for Marty Schottenheimer's sake...Norv Turner does not deserve to go to the Super Bowl...

New York @ Dallas
- I wish the media and fans would stop making Tony Romo to be some super stud quarterback....don't get me wrong, he's a nice quarterback, but damn it, stop praising this guy already....he has never won a playoff game yet....he is 0-2 in the playoffs....Tony Romo is NOT Brett Favre....he is NOT Tom Brady...and he is NOT even Matt Hasselbeck....
- The New York Giants are a better football team without Tiki Barber....it looks like last year's implosion was centered around Barber and his ego....

Sunday Stories of Note

Sam Mellinger of The Kansas City Star writes that life has changed for Michael Vick now that he is in the famous Leavenworth pen... "Over that fence and wall, past the guards and gates, it will probably be impossible for Vick to truly be treated like the other inmates. He will be asked for autographs and singled out for fights. He will be given first dibs on the weight bench and randomly told to get to the back of the line at supper time." ....

Sam Mellinger

George Vecsey of The New York Times writes how two southern announcers were music to northern baseball fans ears..... "They were two of the distinctive American voices, born 97 miles apart as the catbird flies. Red Barber and Mel Allen spoke the language of baseball in Southern cadences to Northern ears." ....

George Vecsey

Bill Reiter of The Kansas City Star writes how new Kansas State basketball coach Frank Martin met his father after years of not seeing him..... "He was barely 20, with little money in his pocket and less of an idea of what was going to happen next in life. His father — the man he was named after — had left the family when young Frank was 9, and things had been tough ever since. He had seen him only once in nearly 15 years." ....

Bill Reiter

Karen Crouse of The New York Times writes how tennis star Maria Sharapova was awed by meeting Michael Jordan..... "The story revolved around an airport, which figures, because Maria Sharapova lives out of a suitcase, crisscrossing the globe to play tennis. As she told it, the man walking to the car on the tarmac in Miami looked really familiar." ....

Karen Crouse

Michelle Kaufman of The Miami Herald writes how motherhood has not slowed down Lindsay Davenport..... "Davenport was known to get down on herself during matches, sometimes for something as trivial as one bad shot. Her body language would change. Her textbook ball-striking would disappear. Now, she is playing looser, having fun, and her results have been the talk of tennis for months." ....

Michelle Kaufman

Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times writes that people should watch the Patriots make history, even if they believe the team cheated.... "I hate the New England Patriots because they are convicted cheaters. But I can't stop watching them because, in a brilliant 31-20 divisional playoff victory over Jacksonville on Saturday night, they never cheated themselves or their fans or the game." .....

Bill Plaschke

Anne Blythe of the Raleigh News and Observer writes that even though Marion Jones is heading to prison, her records will still be upheld at North Carolina..... "Her No. 20 basketball jersey hangs from the Carmichael Auditorium rafters in recognition of the contributions she made to the 1994 NCAA championship team. There will be no erasing of records still standing from her days as a lightning-quick basketball point guard or as a college long-jumper or sprinter." ....

Anne Blythe

Bryan Burwell of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes the St. Louis coach Rick Majerus may not be pleased after his team scored only 20 points the other night, but he is happy back at coaching..... "He loves the gym. He loves the smells, the sounds of basketballs and sneakers squeaking and screeching across the hardwood. He loves practice. He loves the games. He loves the game films. He not only loves it, he probably needs it." ....

Bryan Burwell

Stories on Sunday's Playoff Games

San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts - 1:00
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes how the Chargers mid-season improvement on defense has led to the team's resurgence..... "And it can be traced back to an increased emphasis on the sheets this defensive coaching staff prepares for the linebackers and defensive backs that show the upcoming opponents' tendencies in certain formations and different downs and distances." .....

Kevin Acee

Indianapolis Star sports columnist Bob Kravitz writes that he thinks Tony Dungy will be leaving.... "He has acknowledged, between the end of last regular season and a week after the Super Bowl victory, he went back and forth on the issue of retiring three or four times before deciding to come back. This time, he doesn't come back." ....

Bob Kravitz

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys - 4:15
Vic Ziegel of the New York Daily News writes that he is "surprised" the Giants are only dogs by seven points.... "The Cowboys are sending 12 players to the Pro Bowl. The Giants have one representative, Osi Umenyiora. Sure sounds like the league thinks the world of Dallas." ....

Vic Zeigel

Dallas Morning News sports columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor writes how a Cowboys win will be nice for two veterans.... "Ellis and Adams, the Cowboys' first two selections in the 1998 draft, have played a combined 296 games. Yet, neither has ever won a playoff game." ....

Jean-Jacques Taylor

Will Terrelle Pryor be wearing the Maize and Blue in 2008?

A shake-up took place in Ann Arbor on Wednesday when wide receiver Adrian Arrington officially declared that he is leaving Michigan for the NFL.....it is also speculated that fellow wide receiver Mario Manningham will soon follow....the other official announcement was that quarterback Ryan Mallett is transferring out of Michigan, presumably to Tennessee....

Before I go on, I want to wish all three players the best in their future endeavors....Arrington and Manningham will always be Wolverines and hopefully they can make the football program proud at the next level....as far as Mallett, I wish him nothing but the best....only 1 quarterback can be on the field at one time and Mallett must have felt that he does not fit in with new head coach Rich Rodriguez's system.....Below is an article by John Borton of Rivals.com and his thoughts on Mallett leaving....

John Borton
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor
Rich Rodriguez wants a Michigan quarterback to quarterback Michigan. And if there's any doubt, hesitation, missed meetings, etc., on the part of those who might apply, well … don't let the door sack you on your way out.

Rodriguez tried to sell freshman Ryan Mallett on the new staff's ability to structure its offense to meet the strong-armed passer's talents. He made several efforts to try and sway the long, tall Texan, as he told Jim Rome yesterday.

"I talked to him and all our quarterbacks about how our system adapts to the quarterback," Rodriguez said. "If we get a throwing quarterback, we've had ones who have gone on to have great careers and to the NFL and all that. "But I [spoke to Mallett] a couple of times. I recruited him once. I recruited him twice, but after the third call, it's 'Okay, three times is enough for me.' It's three invitations. If somebody doesn't want to be here, then we should all move along."

Rodriguez left no doubt at halftime of the Michigan-Indiana basketball game last night. He noted Mallett missed a team meeting the day before, and when asked whether he is waiting to hear what the young quarterback has to say, Rodriguez responded with words that made all but the most diehard recruiting guru sycophants smile. "Don't care," the new sheriff said. "He's not playing for Michigan. I'm concerned with who's playing for Michigan. That's my concern."

DON'T CARE? Don't you understand, Coach? This is RYAN MALLETT, the greatest quarterback-to-be in the history of college football, the torpedo-launching Texan who shreds receivers' gloves and who once chucked an armadillo 85 yards without breaking a sweat!

This is the kid who was about to make Tom Brady look like Marcia Brady! This is the once-in-a-lifetime, surefire, Heisman-ready architect of multiple national championships – not to mention the guy whose poster replaced that of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders on the walls of aging recruiting "gurus." DON'T CARE?

Don't care. Just that easily, the new era begins. Oh, and by the way, it was a short lifetime. The next once-in-a-lifetime QB prospect watching the Wolverines closely isn't far behind.

Now, for anyone taking this as Mallett bashing (Mallett hammering? Mallet malleting?) – breathe deeply and listen. The kid came here under one system, believed fervently in his position coach, and saw those very important elements change in the span of 12 months. Wherever he goes (within reason), we wish him well. No hard feelings. It should probably be noted – for the sake of perspective – that the two most glorified quarterbacks in the history of Michigan football recruiting (Mallett and Drew Henson) combined for a total of 11 career starts.

Meanwhile, someone who generated little more than a shrug upon arrival in Ann Arbor has three Super Bowl titles in his back pocket, with another on the way. But we digress. Most importantly, the new boss is concerned about who is playing for Michigan.

And losing Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Jake Long, Adam Kraus, Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington and Ryan Mallett off the offensive roster in a fortnight didn't make him blink. Now, "Don't care" doesn't quite carry the same ring as "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." But the intent is the same, and the edge carried by the man delivering the message can't be mistaken.

Stiles Points Thoughts
With Mallett leaving Ann Arbor, there is a very good chance that Michigan may land super-stud quarterback Terrelle Pryor from Jeanette, PA.....Pryor was the USA Today Offensive Player of the Year and is being labeled as the next Vince Young....of course, Michigan has to battle Mr. Sweatervest for Pryor's services....it is believed that Pryor has narrowed his choices down to Michigan and Ohio State.....with Mallett gone, Pryor would be able to start from day one at Michigan....check out the links to read more about Pryor.....

Scout.com

Terrelle Pryor

Take that Ohio State fans!!!!

BEST DAMN TEAM IN THE LAND

Michigan Man Shuts Up Ohio State Fans!!!!

A MICHIGAN MAN
FINALLY BEATS TRESSEL

New Passcode at Hayes Center 38-24!

Thoughts on the BCS Title Game

Here are my keys for tonight's BCS Title Game.....

For Ohio State to win
1. Run, run, run - OSU must get Chris Wells started early and often...
2. Surprise, surprise - I'm not talking Gomer Pyle here....but look for OSU to throw some type of trick play to keep LSU off balance...a flea flicker could be big - especially if LSU is determined to stop the run...don't be surprised if they go with a deep pass early to show LSU that they are here to play....
3. Stay close - if Ohio State is close at halftime, they will be a threat in the second half...Tressel wants to stay close then grab the lead in the second half and play Tresselball....

For LSU to win
1. Stop the run - Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, must stop the Ohio State running game....if OSU can run the ball and then get the lead in the second half, Tressel will go into Tresselball mode and shorten the game....force Boeckman to beat you!!!...
2. Over the top - Juice Williams and Illinois proved that Ohio State cannot play the deep ball well...LSU needs to throw in some playaction and go for the big play....
3. Keep your foot on their throat - if LSU gets an early lead, they cannot let down for 1 second...if you do, Tressel will grab momentum...LSU must play 60 minutes of hell...not 59 minutes and 59 seconds....60 minutes!!!

Prediction
If this game was played immediately following the regular season, my pick would have been Ohio State because LSU was banged up...Glenn Dorsey and Matt Flynn were hurt...the Tigers are now healthy....

Sure Ohio State has all the "motivation" after what happened last season to Florida....and I believe all coaches need to motivate their players, but Tressel goes overboard....in August, he made the passcode 4114 to get into the Hayes Center (the score of last year's Florida loss)....then he gave his team these DVDs about all the negatives that the national media are saying about OSU...motivation is good, but Tressel lives off it....

I pick LSU to win a close game....not only does Les Miles want to win this game, but so does Pelini who can use this victory for recruiting purposes when he becomes head coach at Nebraska...a healthy LSU will be difference....

LSU 27-16

BCS Stories - LSU vs. Ohio State

BCS Title Game - LSU vs. Ohio State - New Orleans - Fox
Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch reveals the real Jim Tressel..... "When Jim Tressel enters a roomful of Ohio State fans, the floor immediately tilts in his direction. Worshippers flow toward him like water rushing to a drain." ....

Rob Oller

Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch writes that being an underdog is good in the BCS Title Game..... "Of the previous nine title games of the Bowl Championship Series, six were won by the underdog." ....

Tim May

Doug Lesmerises of the Plain Dealer writes about Road Warrior Animal's son..... "On the road for 250 to 300 nights a year, wearing those same red and black tights, pulling on the spiked shoulder pads and applying the face paint that disguised who he really was, Road Warrior Animal couldn't talk to his co-workers about his children back in Minnesota, his oldest son Joey; his baby, daughter Jessica; or little James in those tights." .....

Doug Lesmerises

New Orleans Times Picayune's Rob Thibodeaux traveled to Elyria, Ohio - the hometown of Les Miles..... "Consider Elyria's contributions to life as we know it. This is the home of the padded bicycle seat. The rubber heel. The colored golf ball. And Les Miles." ....

Rob Thibodeaux

Baton Rouge Advocate's Carl Dubois writes about LSU's humble leader - Glenn Dorsey.... "Yet, in early October, after LSU's dramatic 28-24 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium, Dorsey sounded charmingly oblivious to his status as one of the big men on campus and one of the biggest names in the game he loves." ....

Carl Dubois

Shreveport Times' Roy Lang III writes about hometown hero Jacob Hester..... "He's not flashy — although he has plenty of speed. His name never hit the Heisman radar, but LSU folks will tell you there's not a more valuable Tiger." ....

Roy Lang III

The Baton Rouge Advocate has a list of tidbit....

The Advocate

Why Michigan fans should root for LSU

Monday is the day when Ohio State takes on LSU for the alleged national title....as most know, I am a Michigan fan who lives in Ohio.....and I am not just an average Michigan fan.....I bleed Maize and Blue.....so over the last few weeks, the Buckeye faithful in the Youngstown area have asked me who I am rooting for on Monday night.....the answer is easy – LSU!!!!.....

This usually riles up Ohio State fans because they feel I should support a Big Ten team.....Here are my two reasons why I want Ohio State to lose....

1) Ohio State and Michigan compete for the same recruits...when the coaches go into the homes of these families, they will use whatever they can to convince these young men to attend their school.....a win Monday will be Jim Tressel’s second national title in six years....this is something that he will (and should) use when he is recruiting....so why would any Michigan fan want Tressel to have this advantage????....so what a Big Ten team wins the national title?!?!....when all the hoopla is over, an Ohio State win does not help Michigan nor any other Big Ten team....

2) Ohio State and Michigan are rivals...rivals should not be rooting for each other....when Michigan plays in a bowl game against another non-conference opponent, I don’t want any Ohio State fans rooting for the Maize and Blue.....why should Michigan fans root for Ohio State when their head coach (Tressel) clearly took the first shot at the Wolverines on the day he was introduced as head coach.....who can forget those words, "you will be proud of your team in 310 days"....he did not single out Penn State nor Michigan State nor Purdue nor any other Big Ten team....he put the bulls eye on Michigan.....

In the Woody Hayes Center in Columbus there is a clock that continually is running until the next Michigan game...Ohio State scum always like to sing the song "We Don't Give a Damn About the Whole State of Michigan"....if they don't give a damn about Michigan, then why should we as Michigan fans back them on Monday????.....also, last season Tressel refused to support a Big Ten school (Michigan) when the final coaches poll was conducted....instead he slithered around the situation by trying to take the high road.....

I have two words - Fuck em!!!!....Big Ten or not, I hate Ohio State....Tressel has had his way with Michigan, but hopefully on Monday a Michigan Man in purple and gold will take care of business....

Geaux Tigers!!!....

Fiesta Bowl News and Saturday's NFL Playoffs

Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma vs. West Virginia - 8:00 Fox
Norman Transcript sports reporter Clay Horning writes about the quiet leader of the Sooners - Sam Bradford..... "Bradford has been so good this season, he's reached the rarest of levels. The one where he's being taken for granted." .....

Clay Horning

Mitch Vingle of the Charleston Gazette writes how interim West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart has stole the show down in Glendale.... "And then WVU interim coach Bill Stewart took his seat, raised above the masses. He grabbed the microphone. And made people smile. He made them laugh. He made them remember that, hey, this football stuff can be fun." ....

Mitch Vingle

NFL Wildcard
Washington @ Seattle - Saturday 4:00 EST - NBC
Jason LaCanfora of the Washington Post writes how cornerback Shawn Springs is the leader of the Redskins defense.... "When starting corner Carlos Rogers was lost for the season because of a knee surgery in October, Springs began assuming a larger role again and finished second on the team with four interceptions -- all in the final four games." ....

Jason LaCanfora

Claire Farnsworth of the Seattle Post Intelligencer writes that Matt Hasselbeck is healthy and ready to go on Saturday - even with a new look..... "The status of the team's starting quarterback appeared to be in question after he fell on his right wrist Sunday during a 44-41 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. There was, however, no questioning what Hasselbeck was able to do on the practice field Tuesday." ....

Claire Farnsworth

Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh - Saturday 8:00 EST - NBC
Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes how the Steelers defense will need more than spirit to slowdown the Jaguars running game... "Can that spirit tackle? Can it play the proper gaps and prevent long runs? Can it make a play or two on third down and get the defense off the field? Can it stop giving up touchdown passes and long scoring drives?" ....

Ron Cook

For all the latest on Jacksonville, check out the Jacksonville Sun's Jaguar page...

Jaguars

A disgrace in the Sugar Bowl - Hawaii Sucks!!!

When reviewing the New Year's Day bowl games, there are three conclusions that I have come up with.....1. Southern Cal is the best team in the nation no matter who wins the LSU-Ohio State game on Monday night......2. Hawaii's performance in the Sugar Bowl was a disgrace....3. Colt Brennan will not make it in the NFL....

I want to elaborate a bit more about Hawaii's perforamance....all season long we had to hear about Brennan and all the records that he and his receivers set throughout their career.....but for the first time, Hawaii played a real college team - Georgia - and look what happened....Hawaii ran their mouth how they wanted to come to the mainland and show how good of a team they are.....I will say this, they will not be asked to another BCS Bowl game even if they go 12-0 again.....

I think it was unfair for the Fox announcers, Tom Brennaman and Charles Davis to baby the Hawaii team.....with the score standing 38-3, the announcers were defending Hawaii's season and how hard it was for them to make it to a BCS game.....that may be true, but let me say this, if Georgia was beating say, Notre Dame, Ohio State, or Southern Cal 38-3, these same announcers would not be coddling those teams.....these announcers did not have the guts to flat out say "Hawaii did not deserve to be in the Sugar Bowl"....a team like Arizona State or Clemson should have been playing Georgia....so if Hawaii wants to run with the big boys, then they should also take the criticism like the big boys.....Aloha and don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way back to the island....

Michigan defeats Florida

LLOYD GOES OUT A WINNER

What I Have Learned

I was born January 1, 1969....so today is my birthday and my last year of being in the 30s....I always like reading in Esquire the section "What I Have Learned".....the editors always have someone famous spew off what they have learned over the course of their life.....well, here are some of the things that I have learned and what I believe over the first 38 years of being alive.....

When a crisis occurs, do not lie - tell the truth...

Living in Ohio, it is easy to be an Ohio State fan, but it takes a real man to be a Michigan fan...

Smile...

Don't worry what other people think about you - Fuck 'em!!!...

I do not like phoney people...I also do not like professional bullshitters...

Wearing a suit to work does not mean that you are making a difference...

Rocky is the best movie I ever saw...I cannot believe that Burgess Meredith never won an Oscar for his role as Mickey...

Everyone should see a counselor at least once in their life...

Being married does not bring happiness...

You never learn anything by talking - Listen!!!...

The most I was ever focused was when I completed two marathons...

It's okay to not own a gun...

It is a crime that Yankee Stadium will be demolished...

There is not a "soulmate" for everyone...some are destined to be alone...

My dad is the most honorable man I know...

If you are able, help those who are less fortunate...you don't have to donate hundreds of dollars...even a few dollars here and there do make a difference...

September 11, 2001 still bothers me when I think about all those innocent people who died...

The 1980 Olympic hockey game between the USA and USSR was the greatest game ever played....

As I get older, I become more aware that my time on earth is slowly running out...

I hate change...

It is truly amazing how the U.S. Postal system works...as big as this country is, in a matter of days, a letter from Niles, Ohio could be sent to another small town in say Montana...

Being in the eighth grade was the best time of my youth...all we did was go to school and play basketball in the evenings...no one could drive, so we all had to walk or have one of our parents drive us...life was simple...

Many sports fans hate him, but every sports fan wishes that George Steinbrenner was the owner of their favorite sports team because The Boss wants to win...too many owners stuff the profits into their own pockets instead of fielding a championship contender team...

I hate parents who think their kid is going to be some prodigy just because the kid could wipe his own ass at the age of three....

Do not raise your child because some whacko intellectual doctor told you to do it a certain way in a book....you will make mistakes, but remember, you are raising a human being, not some damn robot....

Just because someone goes to church every Sunday, that does not make him/her morally better than someone else....it's what you do every day and how you treat people - not just for that hour on Sunday....

Respect is the most powerful word in the dictionary.....if I respect someone, even if we don't see eye-to-eye, we can set aside our differences in order to get something accomplished....

People deserve a second chance....

Capital punishment should be allowed for the most horrible and inhumane crimes....

If you treat a dog well, he will be your best friend....

The legs are the best part of a woman's body.....nothing beats a great pair of legs....

I am a very passionate person...not enough people have passion...

I use my hands when I speak....I guess that is part of my passion...for those who don't like that - deal with it!!...

Jim Valvano's speech during the first ESPYs is one of the greatest speeches ever...Valvano only had weeks to live and he spoke from the heart...not enough people speak from the heart...

Like Howard Cosell said, "I tell it like it is"....if people don't like it - too fucking bad!!...

Ice Bowl - 40th Anniversary

As I was walking my dog it dawned on me that today is the 40th anniversary of maybe the greatest NFL game ever played - the Ice Bowl between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers.....the game was played on December 31, 1967 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay....the actual game time temperature at kick-off was 13 below zero with windchills hovering around 40 below.....the game pitted two of the greatest coaches Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry.....including Lombardi, there were 8 future Hall of Famers for the Packers who were involved in that game while there were five future Hall of Famers for the Cowboys....it was so cold, the referees could not use their whistles.....

Below are some pictures and various links to this great game....

Green Bay Packers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17
Scoring
GB - Dowler 8 pass from Starr (Chandler kick)
GB - Dowler 46 pass from Starr (Chandler kick)
DAL - Andrie 7 fumble return (Villanueva kick)
DAL - FG Villanueva 21
DAL - Rentzel 50 pass from Reeves (Villanueva kick)
GB - Starr 1 run (Chandler kick)

NFL - Ice Bowl

South Endzone Blog

New Year's Day Bowl Tidbits

Cotton Bowl - Missouri vs. Arkansas - January 1 - Fox 11:00 a.m.
Dallas Morning News sports columnist Kevin Sherrington writes how the Cotton Bowl will be the last game that Frank Broyles will serve as Arkansas athletic director..... "But don't let the white hair and silver tongue fool you. His coaches did so at their own peril. Since confirming in February that he'd retire at the end of the year, Broyles has outlasted two of the Razorbacks coaches that showed up in honor of his announcement." .....

Kevin Sherrington

Missourian sports reporter Drew Schemenner writes how Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel is a rarity among college coaches.... "Pinkel and his coaching staff are tortoises in a profession full of hares. While other coaches have quickly hopped from job to job in the frantic chase for success, Pinkel has remained faithful to his teams, gradually emerging from his shell in order for the Tigers to reach uncommon heights." .....

Drew Schemenner

Capital One Bowl - Michigan vs. Florida - January 1 - ABC 1:00
Detroit Free Press reports that Urban Meyer is not interested in becoming the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.....

Detroit Free Press

Detroit Free Press reporter Mark Snyder writes about Jake Long's last game as a Wolverine.... "Long, who made his first start as a Wolverine against San Diego State in 2004, has set a standard at Michigan rarely matched in the program's illustrious history. His achievements place him among the all-time greats." ....

Mark Snyder

Orlando Sentinel sports reporter Dave Curtis writes how Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English was surprised how well Tim Tebow could throw the ball..... "The comments bring full circle the "Can Tebow throw?" fun of 2007. Tebow doubters popped up throughout the country in the spring, and Coach Urban Meyer joked this summer that the Gators might run the ball on every play." ....

Dave Curtis

Rose Bowl - Illinois vs. Southern Cal - January 1 - ABC 4:30
Chicago Sun-Times sports reporter Herb Gould writes how Illinois needs to work through the mental side of playing in the Rose Bowl..... "The Illini -- two-touchdown underdogs, the biggest of this bowl season -- are playing not only to validate themselves. They also are carrying the hopes of a supposedly down Big Ten and an Illini Nation that wants to atone for a 45-9 drubbing by UCLA in the 1983 season, Illinois' only other Rose Bowl trip since 1963." ....

Herb Gould

Los Angeles Times sports reporter Gary Klein writes how Trojan linebacker Keith Rivers wants to uphold the honor of wearing number 55..... "Tatupu was referring to the No. 55 jersey that USC coaches bestowed upon Rivers when he arrived on campus in 2004 from Lake Mary, Fla. Trojans linebackers such as Junior Seau, Willie McGinest and Chris Claiborne, all of who were top 10 NFL draft picks, had worn 55." .....

Gary Klein

Sugar Bowl - Hawaii vs. Georgia - January 1 - Fox 8:00
Honolulu Sun Bulletin sports reporter Gary Chun writes how New Orleans is fast becoming green..... "Mostly wearing forest green and black shirts and jackets, a good number of the Hawaii fans were also bedecked with special Warrior green beads and the occasional green-and-white feather boa." ....

Gary Chun

Atlanta Journal-Constitution sports reporter Carter Strickland writes how Georgia head coach Mark Richt has learned that running the ball is the key to win the SEC..... "Yes, but Georgia may be better set up to win in the future because it has built, quite literally, from the ground game up this season. Never before under Richt has Georgia rushed for more yards than it did this season." .....

Carter Strickland

Odds on Presidential Race

Here are the latest odds on who will win their party's nomination....all of these are based on what you would win on a $10.00 bet

Democrat
Hillary Clinton - $3.64
Barak Obama - $22.50
John Edwards - $100.00

Republican
Rudy Giuliani - $16.00
Mitt Romney - $25.00
John McCain - $35.00
Mike Huckabee - $50.00
Ron Paul - $100.00
Fred Thompson - $160.00

Tidbits from around the league

Boston Globe sports columnist Jackie MacMullen writes how Tom Brady and Randy Moss stepped up when the Patriots perfect season looked bleak..... "The Patriots, quite frankly, were in trouble. Their defense was unable to contain Manning and his receivers. Brandon Jacobs literally ran over some of New England's top personnel, including team leader Rodney Harrison." ....

Jackie MacMullen

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes how some within the Dolphins organization question if Ted Ginn Jr., will ever become a number one receiver..... "Becoming a legitimate, long-term No. 1 receiver isn't too much to expect from the No. 9 draft pick." .....

Barry Jackson

Miami Herald sports reporter Armando Salguero writes how Bill Parcells is quickly learning how bad the Dolphins really are..... "Sure, he knew the Dolphins were bad. But now, as he studies and watches more closely, he will come to understand that they are truly this bad. And he will come to understand why." .....

Armando Salguero

Washington Post sports reporter Jason La Canfora writes how the Redskins have been down this road before.... "In 2005, a previously pedestrian Redskins team found a way to reel off five straight wins to close the regular season, then defeat Tampa Bay in its playoff opener before losing a close second-round contest to Seattle." ....

Jason La Canfora

Tennessean sports reporter Jim Wyatt writes how, in college, Vince Young always played his best when the national spotlight was on him..... "The national television spotlight blinds some players, but so far Vince Young isn't one of them." ....

Jim Wyatt

Minnesota Star-Tribune sports reporter Kevin Seifert writes how the Vikings may not be sold on Tarvaris Jackson as its quarterback in 2008.... "On Monday, a day after Jackson threw two interceptions in a 32-21 loss to Washington, coach Brad Childress used the word "decent" to describe Jackson's decision-making, making clear that 14 turnovers in 11 starts is too high of a number." ....

Kevin Seifert

Los Angeles Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke writes how Rick Neuheisel needs to do the right thing now that he got his dream job..... "After spending a month apparently trying to talk themselves out of it, UCLA officials have finally sighed and wiped their palms and handed their football program to Rick Neuheisel, boy wonder turned boy blunder turned . . . new man?" ....

Bill Plaschke

Michigan Man Sets NFL Record

MICHIGAN MAN SETS NFL RECORD

50 TOUCHDOWN PASSES!!!!!!

Liberty and Alamo Bowl Previews & Giants-Pats Preview

Liberty Bowl - Mississippi State vs. Central Florida - 4:30 ESPN
Jackson (Miss) Clarion-Ledger sports reporter Kyle Veazey writes how Mississippi State is motivated to keep up the SEC dominance..... "Soon comes the inevitable question, the one that asks about UCF, the Conference USA champion, playing a team out of the big, bad Southeastern Conference." ....

Kyle Veazey

Orlando Sentinel sports reporter Kyle Hightower writes how Central Florida had 1 goal when they broke camp back in August..... "Back in August when UCF broke its first team huddle to end a practice, they did it with a simple cadence: "One blood, one heart, one mission: To the champs." ......

Kyle Hightower

Alamo Bowl - Penn State vs. Texas A&M - 8:00 ESPN
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports reporter Ron Musselman writes how Penn State is focused on putting pressure on Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee..... "Several Penn State defensive players said McGee's scrambling ability is similar to that of Illinois quarterback Juice Williams. They agreed, however, that McGee is a much better passer." ....

Ron Musselman

San Antonio Express-News sports reporter Tim Griffin writes how Texas A&M can upset Penn State.... "The Aggies' biggest challenge will test their offensive strength. A&M's mammoth offensive line will be challenged to push Penn State's athletic defensive front." ...

Tim Griffin

New England Patriots vs. New York Giants - 8:00 NFL Network, NBC, CBS
Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan writes how Bill Belichick does not want people to think that he knows how big tonight's game is against the Giants.... "And, that done, he will remind one and all that 16-0 is nice, but it won't be worth a book of 1963 game plans if his team doesn't win three playoff games." ....

Bob Ryan

New York Daily News sports columnist Lisa Olson writes the Giants are dreaming of an upset.... "Here is how the Giants envision the final seconds on Saturday night in the Meadowlands, as the clock creeps toward midnight: New York's defense, exhausted but as healthy as it can be after surviving the 16th game of the season, a game that has been far more punishing mentally and physically than any of the 15 games that came before it, sacks Tom Brady, aka the prince, one last time." ....

Lisa Olson

Stu Nahan Dies - Announcer in the Rocky series

Longtime sports announcer Stu Nahan died this week....he may best be remembered as the ringside announcer in the Rocky series

Stu Nahan

Dream Playoff - National Title Game - Southern Cal vs. Oklahoma

We are down to the last game - the National Title Game between Southern Cal and Oklahoma.....therefore, I officially call to order the Kings of the Roundtable....I have brought together the blogosphere's best and brightest to breakdown college football....the Fab Five are Zach of The Big Picture, Graig of Money Shot, Jon of Complete Sports, Virgil of The Ship of Fools (formerly of Wasting Company Time), and me (Rick) of Stiles Points.....

Semi-Final Game USC Trojans vs. Oklahoma Sooners
USC favored by 2.5
Game to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena

Jon of Complete Sports
USC comes in riding high. After upsetting LSU in the first round, they easily dispatched Virginia Tech to secure their spot in the title game. For Oklahoma, it's been a tough road, as they eeked out a win against Georgia before upsetting top-ranked Ohio St. in the semfinals. Both teams are playing well. However, while this one won't be as lopsided as the national title game between these teams a few years ago, I think the result will be the same. USC might have just a little too much firepower offensively and too much speed defensively. Oklahoma will have to effectively run the ball and control the clock, but I don't think they're quite good enough to do it for 60 minutes.
USC 27 Oklahoma 17

Graig of Money Shot
Two of the richest histories in college football get together to decide our champion. Both teams have fierce and physical defenses. Both teams have two-headed monsters at running back. Both have good but inconsistent quarterbacks. Both have great coaches who have won a title before. So who the hell is the difference maker if both of these teams are virtually the same? The Oklahoma offensive line. They have one of the biggest and best that college football has seen over the past few decades. I think that USC could hang with them for the most part, but that gargantuan O-line wears them down in the second half. Having beaten a very physical LSU team in the semifinals still lingers for the Trojans. So I'm putting on my Jim Ross cowboy hat and screaming "Boomer Sooners", baby!
Oklahoma 23 USC 21

Virgil of The Ship of Fools
How we ended up with this matchup of two-loss disappointments in the finals is beyond me. But here they are. In my opinion, the key to this game will be the propensity of USC quarterback John David Booty to make mistakes. Booty threw at least one interception in four of the Trojans' first five games, including four INTs in the loss against Stanford. OU QB Sam Bradford, on the other hand, threw 34 TD passes and only 7 INTs. I think that the steady play of Bradford, along with the Sooner running game, will be the difference.
Oklahoma 21 USC 10

Rick of Stiles Points
A few years back these two faced off for the national title in the Orange Bowl and USC destroyed Oklahoma.....Bradford and OU are playing well, but to me, Southern Cal has too much talent, especially on defense.....it would not be a blow out this time, but in the end, USC wins again....
USC 24 Oklahoma 21

So with the Kings tied at 2 apiece and Zach not responding, I once again had to go to my 76-year-old father, Ignatius to break the tie.....after a few minutes of pondering the decision, he chose Southern Cal because they came on strong at the end of the year and are rolling.....he also said these two teams should be playing in the BCS Title game, not LSU-Ohio State.....So Let It Be Written - So Let it Be Done - the Roundtable rules 3-2 in favor of Southern Cal winning our Dream Playoff.....I want to thank my fellow bloggers for participating....it was much appreciated......I leave you with a few photos of the lovely Southern Cal Song Girls.....

Holiday Bowl and other Bowl News

For the last week or so I have been a bit lazy on my blog....but starting today, I will provide links to the various upcoming bowl games....plus, tomorrow will be the predictions in our Dream National Title Game between Oklahoma and Southern Cal....

Holiday Bowl - Texas vs. Arizona State - Thursday 8:00 p.m. (EST)
Suzanne Haliburton of the Austin American-Statesman writes how Texas head coach Mack Brown worked his team hard before this year's Holiday Bowl..... "Four years ago — the last time his Longhorns played in the Holiday Bowl — Texas coach Mack Brown knew something was wrong two days before the team took on Washington State. Practice was void of emotion." .....

Suzanne Haliburton

Jeff Metcalfe of the Arizona Republic offers a preview of tonight's Holiday Bowl.... "It's not where you play a bowl game, Texas coach Mack Brown said, but who you play. Arizona State has plenty of respect for Texas, its opponent in Thursday's 30th annual Holiday Bowl. The Longhorns were national champions two years ago and are trying for their seventh consecutive 10-win-or-better season and a school-record fourth consecutive bowl victory." ....

Jeff Metcalfe

College Football News's Pete Fiutak previews tonight's Texas-Arizona State game....

College Football News

Champs Sports Bowl - Michigan State vs. Boston College - Friday 5:00 p.m. (EST)
Spartan beat reporter Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal writes how Michigan State will be without their top sack master..... "Senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic, a first-team All-Big Ten selection and second team All-American, is academically ineligible for Friday's Champs Sports Bowl." ....

Joe Rexrode

The Boston Globe's Matt Blaudschun writes about how the Boston College seniors will be ending a good era in BC football.... "Twelve of the 17 started for the Eagles, comprising the bulk of a senior class that compiled a 38-12 record, the best in school history. The group has never lost a bowl game, part of an NCAA-best seven straight bowl victories." ....

Matt Blaudschun

BCS Title Game - #2 LSU vs. #1 Ohio State - January 7
Columbus Dispatch reporter Garrett Downing writes about what swag the Buckeye players will be taking home with them from the BCS title game.... "When the Ohio State University football team earned a bid to the national championship game, the players could cross some items off their Christmas wish lists." ....

Garrett Downing

New Orleans Times Picayune's James Varney writes about LSU defense coordinator Bo Pelini and his days as a Buckeye..... "He said this week he remembers the atmosphere at Tiger Stadium in 1987, when No. 7 Ohio State and No. 4 LSU battled to a 13-13 tie, and he remembered LSU defensive end Karl Dunbar deflecting a 47-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds that would have won the game for the Buckeyes. The next year in Ohio Stadium, when Ohio State scored 16 points in the final 1:56 to shock the No. 9 Tigers, Pelini said, "We probably shouldn't have won that game." ....

James Varney

Strip clubs in Texas
If you plan on going to a strip club in Texas, starting in 2008, you will have a $5.00 tax added to your admission.... "The group of Texas strip clubs fighting an upcoming $5-per-customer fee is focusing on what it calls an unconstitutional tax, and, at least for now, is setting aside its First Amendment argument." .....

Texas Strip Club Tax

Semi-Final Game - USC vs. Virginia Tech

We are down to the last semi-final game - Southern Cal vs. Virginia Tech - with the winner playing Oklahoma....therefore, I officially call to order the Kings of the Roundtable....I have brought together the blogosphere's best and brightest to breakdown college football....the Fab Five are Zach of The Big Picture, Graig of Money Shot, Jon of Complete Sports, Virgil of The Ship of Fools (formerly of Wasting Company Time), and me (Rick) of Stiles Points.....today, only 4 Kings give their views...

Semi-Final Game
#3 Virginia Tech (11-2) vs. #7 USC Trojans (11-2)
USC favored by 7.5
Game to be played at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans

Zach The Big Picture
SC is hot, hot, hot. Throw out the loss to Stanford and we don't have any doubt who the top team in the country is. USC has a solid QB, 800 solid running backs and good receiver. And Sed Ellis on defense is about as good as they get. Va Tech's D is impressive as well, and Beamer Ball could always lead to some unexpected points. But Sean Glenn will look like a Pee Wee football passer against this vaunted Trojan defense.
USC 35 Virginia Tech 20

Craig of Money Shot
The second semifinal features two of the best coached teams in the nation. This one will not be for the faint of heart as both teams successes are due to their strong defenses. John David Booty will have to make plays as the Hokie defense will be looking to stop the Trojan run game first. Pete Carroll has beaten Beamer Ball before and will find a way to stop the duo of QB's Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. In the end, the Trojans' talent shines and gets them into the finals.
USC 26 Virginia Tech

Jon of Complete Sports
Virginia Tech might have the best defense that USC has faced all year, but they will have a hard time slowing down a Trojans offense that is starting to click. With John David Booty back and healthy, along with the talent at the skill positions (especially in the backfield), the Trojans have lots of options. Oh yeah, and they're pretty good defensively. Virginia Tech keeps it close for a while because of the defense, but they simply don't have the firepower for USC.
USC 31 Virginia Tech 14

Rick of Stiles Points
If you remember a few years back these two teams opened the season and Tech almost pulled the upset....not this time people...Tech has a solid defense, but they will not be able to slow down USC
USC 35 Virginia Tech 14

A decision has been made....So Let It Be Written - So Let it Be Done - the Roundtable rules 4-0 in favor of Southern Cal advancing to the Title Game to play Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl..so check back on Christmas Eve for our thoughts on that game...

Random Thoughts

Just some random thoughts about random things.....

I believe Carolina was trying to tank some games this year to help their draft position....why would you start Vinny Testaverde for all those weeks....you mean there wasn’t any other quarterback out there?......

Is it me or did Katie Couric put on some weight.....

Does Scott Boras still get a percentage of Arod’s new contract?.....

The new slogan in Ann Arbor - In Rod We Trust.....

I think there is always going to be a suspicion of steroid use whenever any baseball player does something out of the ordinary....

During the course of your day today, smile and tell someone Merry Christmas....

Was I the only person wanting to see the Dolphins lose all their games?.....

Am I the only person wanting to see the Patriots win all their games?.....

Not so fast Dallas fans, you better not be making your reservations for Glendale just yet.....

Isn’t it funny how the Cleveland Plain Dealer is so in love with LeBron James....but when he was in high school they smashed him because some store owner gave him a Wes Unseld throwback jersey.....

Talking about The Plain Dealer - love Bill Livingston’s columnn.....

Marvin Lewis has to be let go after the season....I believe he has taken the Bengals as far as he could - they need new leadership......

Mike Singletary deserves to be the next head coach in Atlanta....

Whatever happened to Forrest Gregg?....

I think Carolina will hold on to John Fox one more year.....then if he has another bad season - it is Bill Cowher’s job.....

Will Matt Millen finally be shown the door since the Lions have melted down over the last half of the season?....

And if anyone sees my girl from CNBC - Maria Bartiromo - tell her I said Hi.....