College Football at its Best - LSU Tigers

Stiles Points wraps up the series College Football at its Best this week with five straight profiles over the next five days....today, the spotlight goes on the LSU Tigers...the editor of As the Valley Shook took his time to respond to the questions...

And the Valley Shook

Q1. Explain the mystique of night games at Tiger Stadium and the pure noise. Also, why does LSU wear white jerseys at home?
First of all, some background from LSUSports.net: "Since 1960, LSU is 202-59-3 (.771) at night in Tiger Stadium compared to a 19-22-3 (.432) record during the day over that span."

That link is http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&KEY=&ATCLID=177159

So yes, the Tigers tend to perform much better at night than during the day. Maybe it's the sheer heat during the day that makes the fans a little more muted during the down times of day games, and the lack of that makes the atmosphere electric from start to finish at night. Who knows. But give a bunch of Louisiana folks 10 hours to drink, eat, and drink some more, and you're bound to have a more rabid fanbase by 7pm than you would for the typical 2:30 CBS Prime Time slot.

Regarding the white jerseys at home, some would say it's just that the lighter colors help ward off the heat, but it's actually a little more in depth than that. In fact, trusty wikipedia has a good background on it:

"LSU is one of the few college football teams that wears white jerseys for home games. The tradition started in 1958, when Coach Paul Dietzel decided that LSU would wear white jerseys for the home games. LSU went on to win the national championship that year. Since then, LSU continued to wear white jerseys at home games. Then in 1982, new NCAA rules forbid teams from wearing white jerseys at home. Because of this, LSU wore purple jerseys during home games from 1983 to 1994. In 1995, LSU's new coach, Gerry DiNardo, was determined to restore LSU's tradition of white home jerseys. DiNardo personally met with each member of the NCAA Football Rules Committee, lobbying LSU's case. DiNardo was successful, and LSU again began wearing white jerseys at home when the 1995 season began. In LSU's first home game with the white jerseys, unranked LSU staged a stunning 12-6 upset victory over #6 Auburn. In 2000, LSU's new coach, Nick Saban, altered the tradition of the white home jerseys: now LSU only wears white jerseys for the home opener and for home games against SEC opponents. For non-SEC home games other than the home opener, LSU wears purple jerseys at home."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSU_Tigers_football

Q2. What is the greatest LSU football game that you have seen - whether it be in-person or on television? Explain the game and why it was so great.
Greatest in-person Tiger game I've ever seen (and I was at our BCS National Championship victory over Oklahoma) would have to be the win at Arizona State in 2005. It was our first game after Hurricane Katrina, and the game had been moved to Tempe as a result of LSU's campus being used as a staging ground for the National Guard; the campus would not remotely be able to accomdate 92,000 fans for a football game.

A boatload of Tiger fans made the trip from South Louisiana (I fortunately only had to hop out from Los Angeles). While it was great just to see the Tigers in action again after eight months off, the game was frustrating for Tiger fans for the first three quarters as we were more or less thoroughly dominated by ASU. All seemed lost when suddenly in the fourth quarter the Tigers special teams blocked a punt and a field goal and returned them both for touchdowns, giving us the lead and instantly making it a contest. The Devils, however, continued shredding our secondary and it was back-and-forth for the rest of the game, until on a 4th down with a minute to go at the Devils' 40 yard line, JaMarcus Russell heaved a pass into the endzone where a falling-out-of-bounds Early Doucet managed to grab it with a foot in, sealing the victory. Just an all-time great emotional high.

Q3. Who are the Tigers most hated rival - Arkansas, Alabama, or Ole Miss?
There's no question now, it's Alabama. Anyone can sum it up in two words: Nick Saban.

Q4. Since 1970, who are the five greatest players to wear an LSU uniform?
Hmm, beyond #1 it's a tough one. I'll go with:
1) Tommy Casanova, 1969-1971 (Safety, 3-time All American)
2) Kevin Faulk 1995-1998 (RB, All American and LSU's all time rushing leader)
3) Charles Alexander 1976-1978 (RB, two-time All American)
4) Bert Jones 1970-1972 (QB, All American)
5) Josh Reed 1999-2001 (WR, All American)

I hate making that list, given I had to leave names off like QB Tommy Hodson (4-year starter, LSU's all-time passing leader), a heap of All American defensive linemen over the past decade (notably Booger McFarland and Chad Lavalais), and guys like LaRon Landry (4-year starter, including as a freshman on our national championship team).

Q5. Make your case why LSU football, as a whole, is the best football program in the country?
We aren't the best football program in the country right now, so I won't make that case (my vote would go to USC). But we are damn close. Since 2000, we have won one national championship (2003), two SEC Championships (2001, 2003), slaughtered two consecutive highly ranked opponents in bowl games (#9 Miami 40-3 in the 2005 Peach Bowl, and #10 Notre Dame 41-14 in the 2007 Sugar Bowl), finishing in the top ten four times in the past six seasons (2001, 2003, 2005, 2006). I don't have time to sort every year right now, but I think the only other schools who can make that claim are USC, Texas, and Ohio State. Maybe Oklahoma, but we've had more recent success ( i.e. consecutive top 5 finishes). Regardless, it's a mere handful of schools with a track record remotely equivalent to ours in the 21st century. It's a very short list, and we're clearly on it.

I want to thank And the Valley Shook for his time...tomorrow we stay in the SEC once again and focus on the Tennessee Volunteers...

Here are a few links to stories that I found in Sunday newspapers...

St. Louis Dispatch reporter Joe Holleman writes about co-worker Rick Hummel who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday to the sportswriter wing of the museum... "To beat writers, ballplayers and bartenders, Post-Dispatch baseball scribe Rick Hummel has been an unofficial legend for years. On Sunday, it’s official"....

Joe Holleman

Pittsburgh Post Gazette columnist Ron Cook writes about former Pitt head coach Johnny Majors who is moving from Pittsburgh back to Tennessee.... "Some people go through life without ever having a real home. Majors, 72, is lucky; he has two." ....

Ron Cook

The Pittsburgh Pirates are closing in on being one of the losingest franchises in a sports history....

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

The New York Times Richard Sandomir writes about Mindy Ellis, the person who sculpts the faces on each Baseball Hall of Fame plaque.... "The spacious first-floor gallery where the plaques bearing the bronzed likenesses of 278 inductees hang here at the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame is part mausoleum, part fan’s paradise." ....

Richard Sandomir

(Cleveland) Plain Dealer reporter Doug Lesmerises writes about Phil Steele, the independent football guru who produces the football preview magazine.... "Twenty-five years after starting a football betting tip line from the back of his parents' house, the 1979 John Marshall High grad produces one of a handful of major college football preseason magazines." ....

Doug Lesmerises

The Sunday Baker's Dozen - Sunday, July 29, 2007

Sunday Fact - Tony Gwynn will be the second San Diego Padre inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame - Dave Winfield is the other.

Ultimately, its not Barry Bonds who hits the ball over the wall, but the bat....The New York Times Jack Curry writes about who makes the bats for Bonds..... "Holman described Bonds as a genius of a hitter and said he expected him to be consumed by every detail about the bats." .....

Jack Curry

ESPN's Jayson Stark proves that opposites do attract - just look at who is going to be behind the microphone calling Barry Bonds historic homerun..... "Shouldn't we devote at least one small sector of cyberspace to the man who has made history in the most diametrically opposite way possible?" ....

Jayson Stark

As a kid, Dontrelle Willis used to chase after Barry Bonds' homerun balls - now he is pitching to the guy.... "When Bonds met Willis for the first time, he offered the young pitcher one piece of advice: "He told me to just continue to smile," Willis said." ....

Lee Jenkins

Another renegade professional football league looms, but this time with a college twist..... "The league, whose planned opening is May 2008, will mostly play in college towns using players who played for the local college teams and did not make an N.F.L. roster." .....

Ray Glier

Everyone knows Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn are being inducted into the baseball hall of fame today - but don't forget about Denny Matthews too.... "After careful consideration, he explains his style as "Midwestern, laid-back, tell it like it is," and, now that he thinks about it, that's a pretty good description of his personality, too." ....

Sam Mellinger

Newark Star-Ledger's Dave Hutchinson writes that New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington is finally feeling healthy.... "Training camp -- and all its trappings, good and bad -- is once again a safe haven for Jets quarterback Chad Pennington." ....

Dave Hutchinson

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports columnist Gene Collier writes how the NFL coaching fraternity has changed... "The median career win total for the 32 current NFL coaches is 35. For the moment, four 9-7 seasons would put you in the top half of this either unremarkable if partially untested class." ....

Gene Collier

New Orleans Times Picayune reporter John De Shazier writes how Saints wide receiver Marques Colston will let his play on the field do his talking.... "When you have talent, there's no requirement to run your mouth as well as you run routes, and Colston, from all appearances, doesn't have to say a word if he doesn't want to." ....

John De Shazier

Kansas City Star reporter Jason King writes that the buzz at Chiefs training camp is the impending arrival of not Larry Johnson, but Priest Holmes.... "Holmes' impending arrival — and even more so, his attempt at a comeback — have been the buzz of training camp thus far." ....

Jason King

Why can't an officiating scandal happen in the NFL?....the Boston Globe's Mike Reiss talks with a former NFL official.... "I can't see it happening in football," said Terry Gierke, who served as an NFL official from 1981-2001. "I think it would be awfully, awfully hard for that type of situation where an official deliberately makes calls that went against the grain of the game." ....

Mike Reiss

The worst team in the NFL last season starts fresh at training camp.... "And so, football's losingest team arrived in Napa with the mind-set of an undefeated team. At the very least, they arrived spunky and unrepentant." ....

Oakland Tribune

Martyball is over in San Diego, and the players are ready for their new coach and his style.... "There was a speech most every day before meetings, during stretching, after practice. His voice rose and fell, even quaking at times. His eyes would often well with tears." .....

Kevin Acee

The run for the presidency has now included talk of Hillary's cleavage....

Washington Post

Kenny Lofton traded to Indians

It is being reported that Texas has traded Kenny Lofton to the Cleveland Indians for a minor league prospect....this will be Lofton's third stint with Cleveland....

The Atlanta Falcons "grieve" the loss of a teammate

On Wednesday I wrote my views about the Michael Vick situation so I am not going to rehash it anymore but I think the link to the first story just proves that some people "just don’t get it" and understand the severity of the alleged crime....the Falcons are "grieving" the loss of their teammate????......"grieve"????.....here are some links about Vick appearing in court on Thursday.....

The Atlanta Falcons go through "grieving process" as they mourn the loss of their teammate....

Atlanta Journal Constitution

New head coach Bobby Petrino keeps his team’s focus on football.......

Atlanta Journal Constitution

With Vick out for awhile and Joey Harrington as the quarterback, former Georgia quarterback DJ Shockley moves up the depth chart....

Atlanta Journal Constitution

The Nation of Islam Sports Blog is pleased that the media used the words "not guilty" during Vick’s plea.....

Nation of Islam Sports Blog

Wake Forest men’s basketball coach Skip Prosser died yesterday of an apparent heart attach while jogging.....the Winston-Salem Journal has it covered.....

Skip Prosser

The Simpsons movie is out today....and the Associated Press gives their review....

The Simpsons

It’s SEC Media Day for the upcoming football season and The Birmingham News has it covered.....

Day 1

The Friday Blog Promotion
Beginning last week, Stiles Points began a five week series in which we promote a fellow blogger every Friday.....this week, the spotlight goes to Complete Sports blog.....Twins15 is a college student studying finance and accounting.....every Thursday, he posts a debate question where you the reader can vote and sound off about the topic.....this past week’s debate focused on who will win the National League West....other past debate questions included "Pedro Martinez or Sandy Koufax?"....."Best Centerfielder Ever".......so I encourage everyone to stop by and visit Complete Sports.....

Complete Sports

College Football at its Best Series - Alabama Crimson Tide

Today, Stiles Points features the Alabama Crimson Tide in the series, "College Football at its Best".....Nico from the blog Roll Bama Roll took the time to respond about the Tide....he is a graduate student at the University of Alabama and has been blogging for three years....

Roll Bama Roll

Q1. How much on a shadow does the legacy of Bear Bryant still cast on Alabama football?
It is larger than most non-Bama fans could possibly comprehend. A plethora of things around Tuscaloosa are named after him: Bryant-Denny Stadium, The Bryant Museum, The Bryant Conference Center, Bryant Hall, Bryant Drive, Bryant High School, etc...you get the point. Let me give you another example. When offensive lineman Andre Smith, the highest ranked offensive line prospect in the country chose Alabama over the likes of USC and LSU, he put a twist on the 'ol "putting on the hat of the team you're going to sign with" schtick. He didn't put on a Bama ball cap, he put on a Houndstooth hat. This from someone that wasn't even born when Coach Bryant died.

It has its plusses and its minuses though. On the plus side you have young recruits like Andre Smith that have a healthy appreciation for Alabama's rich history and tradition and that certainly helps in recruiting (at least in state.) The downside though is that many fans and influential people in the program have totally unrealistic expectations for modern day coaches. Given the greater parity in today's collegiate game, we're not likely to see another coach win six national championships at one school over the course of their career and that's what some are expecting here. Alabama has obviously been very hard on coaches that have followed in Coach Bryant's wake. Counting Mike Price (who never actually coached a game here), we're on our seventh coach since Coach Bryant.

Q2. What is the greatest Alabama football game that you have seen - whether it be in-person or on television?
I'm going to have to go with the obvious answer here: The 1992 National Championship game where Alabama thrashed Miami. It isn't surprising that Alabama won the game seeing as that 1992 team had one of the greatest collegiate defenses ever assembled, but the ease with which they beat the #1 team in the country was a bit shocking. It was great to out hit, out run, out throw, out hustle and out everything a Miami team that felt like the trophy was a birthright and not something to be earned.

Q3. Why do Crimson Tide fans hate Auburn so much?
Well, lately because they've beaten us five times in a row. The serious answer though would be that it is an in-state rivalry where these two teams are the highest level of athletics the state has to offer. There are a few minor league baseball teams scattered around the state, but no real pro sports to speak of. With Alabama and Auburn being two of the most successful programs in college football history, the state can focus all of its energy on these two teams and the Iron Bowl in particular. It's a 365 day a year topic around here and that is said without an ounce of hyperbole.

Alabama fans have historically looked at Auburn as "little brother" and in some ways are more dismissive than hateful of Auburn...though I guess you could call it a dismissive hate. To put it simply though, Alabama fans hate Auburn (and vice versa) because that's how we are raised from birth. I have a friend that could care less about football but was raised by rabid Alabama fans. He says that despite his apathy towards the sport as a whole that to this day he still finds the color combination of orange and blue to be utterly repugnant and attributes it to his upbringing. That's how ingrained it is in us.

Q4. Since 1970, who are the five greatest players to wear an Alabama uniform and why?
This will be a tough but fun question to answer. There were some giants of the game I left off, but I feel pretty good about my choices. I chose three players whose careers I am familiar with and chose another two based on historical records and how much I still hear people talking about them. In alpha order:
1. Shaun Alexander: This one really doesn't really need much explanation. He's had an amazing NFL career and his collegiate career was just as incredible. When he rushed for 291 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries as freshman at LSU, we all knew we had a special player at Alabama. His name is all over Alabama's record books.

2. Jay Barker: He may not have the name recognition of Joe Namath or Ken Stabler or Bart Starr, but Jay Barker was a leader that won football games. He was 35-2-1 (.934) as a starter at Alabama. Oh yeah, he won a national championship too. That's an incredible winning percentage and one that trumps the records of a many quarterbacks more famous than Barker.

3. John Hannah (photo): I never saw Hannah play, but considering just how much praise people are still heaping on him 30+ years later, he must've been one heck of an offensive lineman. Sports Illustrated once featured him on the cover with the headline "The Best Offensive Lineman of All Time."

4. Ozzie Newsome: Though I never saw him play, from everything I hear he was a sight to behold. He still owns Alabama's all-time receiving yards record and had a 20.3 yard per catch average over the course of his collegiate career.

5. Derrick Thomas: Thomas had a nose for the ball and a hunger for quarterbacks that was astonishing. He holds the career record at Alabama for sacks (52), tackles for a loss (74) and fumbles caused (10). Thomas was the first player whose skills I wanted for myself. I wasn't big enough to play linebacker (I was a DB), but Derrick Thomas was always my inspiration when I played.

Q5. Make your case why Alabama football, as a whole, is the best football program in the country?
There's so much I could say to make a case for Alabama as the best football program in the country I almost don't even know where to start. I could list legendary coaches, national championships, the number of All-Americans produced, conference championships and other accomplishments and all of those things would certainly be true and worthy of inclusion in an argument. Those things are in the past though. What makes Alabama great and special today?

I always like to think that our site looks at things a little differently so I want to provide a different perspective on why Alabama is so great. It is a magnet for talented players and players full of heart. Even coaches that were in over their heads like Mike DuBose and Mike Shula produced 10-win seasons. DuBose even produced a conference championship (and beat Spurrier twice in one season.) Sure, they had losing seasons too but it is the kind of place where talented people want to play and that the talent level can even overcome bad coaching. It has one of the most rabid and devoted fanbases on the planet and the players return that devotion to the fans. When we went on probation during the Franchione era, the players stuck it out. They could've transferred, but they didn't. Others knowingly came to a program on probation even though they had good offers elsewhere because they wanted to play at Alabama. To me, that level of devotion from both fans and players makes it a unique a great place that few can equal.

I want to thank Nico for his time....it is much appreciated.....on Monday we stay in the SEC as the LSU Tigers will be featured....

Former ABC sports announcer Bill Flemming dies

It was announced today that former ABC Sports announcer Bill Flemming died Friday of prostate cancer.....

Bill Flemming

Michael Vick Case - Race is not the issue at hand

Over the last week or so there has been much written about Michael Vick and his alleged connection with dogfighting.....let me say right from the start, Vick should be suspended....I don’t think the NFL has been aggressive in dealing out punishment for Vick because he is one of their marquee players.....if this was some offensive lineman or safety, there is no doubt that player would have already been suspended....

Believe it or not, there are knuckleheads out there who are atually defending Vick and even excusing his alleged involvement.....these people have brought up that hunters kill animals.....I have even read where someone wrote about how butchers kill pigs and cows for the meat that we eat.....to me, these people are just sidestepping the issue at hand about Vick.....

Of course, the biggest excuse that I have read is that the government and media are after Vick because he is African-American.....of course when there is no other excuse, the ole race card is always a good defense.....

This case has nothing to do with Michael Vick being African-American.....this case has everything to do with Michael Vick the person who is allegedly involved in the inhumane, barbaric, cruel, and gruesome treatment of dogs - Nothing Else!!!.....some of the people who are using the race card as a defense are stating that Vick is being singled out because he is a black man playing a position (quarterback) that is traditionally held by white athletes.....I have also read where some idiots are even stating this would not be a big thing if Peyton Manning or Tom Brady were accused of the same charges.....

First off, the fact is, Manning, Brady, or no other NFL player is accused of this despicable act - so stop trying to change the focus of the case....

Second, the morons who are stating the league/government/media is after Vick because he is black do not know sports history......

Let’s look at the history of the NFL and even Major League Baseball.....the NFL does not “go after” black athletes....if that was the case, then why did the league, back in the early 1960s, suspend the Golden Boy, Paul Hornung and Alex Karras for gambling?......Hornung was the All-American athlete who played for Notre Dame, won the Heisman Trophy, and played on those great Lombardi Packer teams....he was also white....and he was also suspended by the league....the league did not "sweep it under the rug"...Karras too was white, and he was suspended by the league.....the NFL did not favor these two just because they were white.....

Let’s also look at baseball.....has anyone ever heard of the name Pete Rose....Rose was the all-time hits leader, Charlie Hustle, Mr. Baseball.....but the league booted him for life for gambling on baseball.....once again, there was no “sweeping it under the rug”......

These idiots who are stating that Vick is being singled out because he is black simply “Don’t Get It”.....there is no doubt that racism is a part of society and even sports....to this day I still believe that race was a reason for the government's poor and inexcusable slow response to the people in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.....it was sickening to see all those people who were suffering......so I do realize that race is still alive in this country.....but, like I wrote earlier, this case has nothing to do with race but everything to do with man-kind and the character of a person no matter race, creed, gender, etc...I thought man-kind and society as a whole evolved and would not condone something so barbaric and inhumane.....but I guess I was wrong....instead of people chastising Vick for this horrid act, there are actually people who think it is funny and are defending him....

College Football at its Best - Washington Huskies

The Washington Huskies are the featured football program in the series "College Football at its Best"....U-Dub grad Zach from the popular blog The Big Picture gives us his thoughts about the Huskies...I want to thank Zach for his time and encourage everyone to check out his blog....it is one of the best blogs in the country....

The Big Picture

Q1. What has happened to the Washington football program? The Huskies were always a premier program, can Ty Willingham (photo - right) bring them back to prominence?
Man, good question. For how far the program has fallen, it's hard to pin-point exactly why Washington football has gone to hell. Part of it would be the general chaos in the Athletic Department, dating back to the Rick Neuheisel scandal and the resignation of former AD Barbara Hedges.

Keith Gilbertson -- a great coordinator, but terrible head coach -- taking over after Neuheisel left probably messed things up. He somehow was losing the top in-state recruits to other Pac-10 schools, which is 124% unacceptable. The Huskies' defense with USC's Taylor Mayes and Cal's Anthony Felder -- both from Seattle's O'Dea High School -- would be greatly improved.

Willingham has shown signs of bringing UW back to where it should be. With a fast start last season, there was excitement for Washington football for the first time since probably 2002. Personally, I think he's the wrong guy to turn around a program. He's conservative with the gameplan and, frankly, I don't know why anyone would want to play for him. I think he'd be better off coaching an established team rather than trying to rebuild one.

Q2. What is the greatest Washington football game that you have seen - whether it be in-person or on television? Explain the game and why it was so great.
Wow! There have been some good ones. I'd say the 2003 Apple Cup in Seattle was really special. It was the first year when fans started realizing that U-Dub wasn't very good anymore so anything -- like anything -- to juice fans would help.

So when the disappointing Huskies upset a then top-10 Washington State team, it was chaos in Husky stadium. Corey Williams, a freshman wide receiver who hadn't done much of anything all year, caught the game-winning touchdown with 1:10 left to help the Dawgs to a 27-19 win.

Q3. Who do you consider Washington's biggest rival - Southern Cal or Washington State?
Washington State is still the biggest. But Oregon would be right up there too. For a long time, Wazzu was garbage, so the best geographical rivalry was the Ducks. When both Oregon and WSU are good, I bet you could poll 100 people and the answer to biggest rival would be a 50-50 split.

Q4. Since 1970, who are the five greatest players to wear a Washington uniform and why?
Man, tough. In no particular order, Mark Brunell, Warren Moon (photo - left), Steve Emtman, Reggie Williams, Napoleon Kaufman.

Q5. Make your case why you are a proud fan of Huskie football?
Well, lately I'm not all that proud. But the tradition is like nothing I've seen. Growing up in the Bay Area as a Cal fan, I didn't know what it meant for people to really live college football.

The UW fans are great and expect a 10-win season every year. When we don't get it, things can turn sour. But that expectation for success that is so hard-wired in UW fans speaks of the program's success, tradition and history. To be part of that -- even if the team hasn't been good in a few years now -- is special....

I want to than Zach for his time - it is much appreciated....on Thursday, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be featured....

College Football at its Best - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Today, Stiles Points features the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in the series, "College Football at its Best".....Rob from the blog Rakes of Mallow took time to respond to my questions....he is a 21-year old, senior-to-be student at the University of Notre Dame.....he was born into a Notre Dame family and has been watching the Irish since the early 90's.....his life motto is "Michigan Sucks"....

Rakes of Mallow - Notre Dame

Q1. First question - should Notre Dame wear the green jerseys at least once a year or only on very special occasions?
This is a topic that is heavily debated among ND fans, but I'm of the opinion that Notre Dame should stick with a color for good. I think the green jerseys are just as sharp as the blue ones, but the speculation before every home game about what color the jerseys will be gets tiresome rather quickly. If I was making the decisions, I'd stay with the blues for good. We'll be wearing the green jerseys for the USC game – mostly as a silly marketing ploy by the athletic department and Adidas to sell more jerseys. What was once a great Notre Dame tradition has turned into gimmicky joke.

Q2. What is the greatest Notre Dame football game that you have seen - whether it be in-person or on television? Explain the game and why it was so great.
As a young lad like myself, I don't think I could pick any other game than the USC-ND game of 2005. That was one of the best college football games of it's time. There was something special brewing that October day in South Bend and even though ND lost, you can't deny the greatness of that game. The energy and excitement was unbelievable. Even after the fact, I sometimes forget how much of an impact that game had on the entire college football season. If the 'Bush Push' (photo) had never happened, Notre Dame would have likely been 10-1 and in contention with a few other teams for the National Championship game. It still frustrates me today. I have a feeling that 4th and 9 play will be one of the last things I see right before I die.

Q3. Who do you consider Notre Dame's biggest rival - Michigan or Southern Cal?
USC. Next question. But seriously, Southern California is our main rival since the 30's and will always be our biggest rival. We've played USC 78 times since 1926 (currently own a 42-31-5 record against them) versus only 34 times against Michigan (we won't speak of records for this one). We've played Michigan State, Purdue, and Navy more times than we've played Michigan. It's more of a recent rivalry even though the first game between the two schools was played in 1897. There's no scientific explanation about why USC is a bigger rival than Michigan. Notre Dame fans circle both games on their calendars, but USC is always the biggest game of the year. I'd consider USC our rival and Michigan our enemy.

Q4. Since 1970, who are the five greatest players to wear an Notre Dame uniform and why?
Interesting question and if you were to ask 5 different people their top-5 players, I'm sure you'd get 5 different sets. Keep in mind I'm still a student and lack the complete history of the program, but my list would go:
QB Paul Hornung – The Irish quarterback from 1955-1956 was the only player to win the Heisman from a losing team. In his senior campaign he ranked 2nd in total offense, had 55 tackles as a safety on defense, and even punted and kicked for the team.
WR/KR Raghib (Rocket) Ismail – If you thought Reggie Bush had the ability to change a game, you should re-watch some of the Rocket's film. On offense (as both a running back and wide receiver) and on special teams, opposing coaches dreaded letting him get the ball. It was an absolute crock that he finished 2 nd in the Heisman ballots behind Ty Detmer.
RB George Gipp – Even though I doubt he'd have the same success today as he had in 1917-1920, you can't deny the Gipp's greatness in college football history. Averaging 8.1 ypc in his senior season, the Gipp lead the Irish to 19 consecutive wins and set milestones both running and passing.
QB Johnny Lujack – Notre Dame's Heisman winner in 1947 won 3 National Championships under coach Frank Leahy in his short time at Notre Dame. He was part of the squad that never lost from 1946-1949 and was the centerpiece of Irish greatness in the 1940's.
TE/DE Leon Hart – Hart (photo) was the last defensive lineman to win the Heisman Trophy award and was the last Heisman Trophy winner to be selected #1 in the NFL draft. Hart was a 2-time All-American at defensive end and even averaged over 15 ypc as TE on offense.

Q5. Make your case why Notre Dame football, as a whole, is the best football program in the country?
While I could make a case for why Notre Dame football is the best program in college football history (I think many people would agree with that – or at least list them in their top 3), we've still got our work cut out for us if we want to become the best football program in the country right now. I don't think Notre Dame will ever have the most talented team in the country, but there's no reason why we can't have top 5 talent and I do believe we're getting there. It's going to take awhile for us to rebuild after truly one of the worst coaching staffs in college football and I do believe Charlie Weis will win a National Championship before he leaves South Bend. Good things come to those who wait, right?....

I want to thank Rob for his time....it is much appreciated....tomorrow our buddy Zach will write about the Washington Huskies....

The Sunday Baker's Dozen - Sunday, July 22, 2007

Sunday Fact - Despite hitting 755 homeruns. the highest single season homerun output by Hank Aaron ranks 68th all-time.

When Barry Bonds breaks the record, John Yandle should be recognized for his small part in helping Bonds get ready for the last 15 years.... "Yandle has pitched to Bonds for the last 15 years, so he has allowed more home runs to Bonds than anyone." ....

New York Times

After just appearing on Larry King Live this past Wednesday, Tammy Faye (Baker) Messner died Friday night of cancer. Sonyia Ellison of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes about Baker's comeback after the 1980s scandal..... "False eyelashes and flashy clothes eventually became her signature. "If you don't like how I look, look the other way," she wrote. "I plan on looking this way till I'm a hundred. I will be buried in my makeup and eyelashes." .....

Atlanta Journal Constitution

(Cleveland) Plain Dealer sports columnist Bill Livingston writes how NBA referees will be under the microscope even more after the alleged gambling situation of Tim Donaghy.... "Every close game and every bad call is now suspected of being a fix. Referee Steve Javie ruled a hack in the Rockets-Clippers game this season to be a two-shot foul although Cuttino Mobley was behind the 3-point arc when he launched it. It affected the point spread. Call the Feds!" ....

Bill Livingston

Boston Globe basketball columnist Jackie MacMullan writes about the issue of referee Tim Donaghy betting on games he officiated.... "Now that it has happened, you realize with frightening clarity how feasible -- and how damning -- it would be for referees, umpires, or linesmen to be corrupt, and how lucky the four major professional sports leagues in our country have been not to have confronted this issue before." ....

Jackie MacMullan

The baseball trading deadline is fast approaching and New York Post columnist Joel Sherman writes which 10 players can be had.... "I told an AL executive I wanted to do a piece on the 10 players most likely to be moved by July 31, and he blurted, "10, you will be lucky to get to five." ...

Joel Sherman

Atlanta Journal Constitution reporter Alan Judd writes how Michael Vick has always had some type of trouble throughout his career..... "Long before a grand jury indicted him Tuesday in a federal dogfighting case, Vick's performance on the football field often competed for attention with his conduct outside the arena." ....

Alan Judd

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette football writer Ed Bouchette writes how the Steelers players are in for an awakening when training camp starts next week.... “Mike Tomlin does not care much if his players do not like his plans for a toughened training camp that starts Monday in Latrobe. He's not trying to make friends.” ....

Ed Bouchette

Boston Globe reporter Christopher Gasper writes how video games are part of the professional athletic culture..... “(Curt) Schilling got hooked on the epic games in the late 1990s as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, thanks to teammate Todd Pratt. Now, when Schilling goes on the road, laptop in tow, one of the ways he stays in touch with his kids is through the games.” ....

Christopher Gasper

Whatever happened to Rich Garces....you remember, El Guapo, the rotund relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.....well the Boston Globe is running a contest called “The El Guapo Experience” in which you can win batting practice with Garces at the Boston Dirt Dogs....

El Guapo

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Ron Kroichick writes about the day in 1992 when the Giants signed Barry Bonds and a rocky marriage was started.... "The Giants and Bonds made for awkward dance partners the past four years, as BALCO fallout clashed with his star power -- his presence helped attract more than 3 million fans season after season, even as San Francisco posted losing records in 2005 and '06." ...

Ron Kroichick

Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog is on vacation, but guest blogger Adam Littlefield writes how bloggers in general do not like ESPN..... "This entry was inspired by this week's Blog Show conference call, in which Steinberg gave an impassioned speech about how bloggers are unfairly predisposed to hate ESPN just b/c ESPN is big and powerful and an easy target . . ."

D.C. Sports Bog

Yes David Beckham briefly played last night in his U.S. debut....L.A. Times reporter Grahame L. Jones has it coverd..... "Oddly enough, it was John Terry, the man who replaced Beckham as captain of the England team, who scored the game's lone goal . . ."

Grahame L. Jones

The Houston Chronicle's John McClain takes you through the NFL beat.....

John McClain

Quick Hits - A hole-in-one for my 76-year-old uncle!!!

I want to congratulate my Uncle George from Youngstown, Ohio who got his first hole-in-one on Wednesday at the age of 76-years-old.....he had two hip replacement surgeries a few years back but that hasn't slowed him on the golf course...now that is something to be proud of....

The baseball trading deadline is less than two weeks away and the only thing that seems certain is that the Pirates will be trading longtime shortstop Jack Wilson.....with the Buccos trading for shortstop Cesar Izturis it looks like Jack’s days are numbered....hopefully he gets traded to a team that makes the playoffs.....he deserves that.....

With the Yankees seven games back of Boston, it looks like the Bronx headquarters will not be sellers.....

The Yankees supposedly were trying to trade outfielder Bobby Abreu to Arizona for the Diamondbacks star minor leaguer Carlos Gonzalez.....the D-backs said no....

The Pittsburgh Steelers should trade offensive lineman Alan Faneca.....in yesterday’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Faneca said that this will be his last season with the Steelers and that even though he will be in camp on-time, he will not be there with “bells and whistles”.....in other words, he is not a happy camper....with a new first year head coach, the Steelers do not need a possible cancer on the team.....I’d unload him now – even if it means getting a mid-round draft pick.....

More proof that Rosie O’Donnell is a “whack job”.....last week she was at some type of event and drew devil horns and a stache on a picture of former co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck....grow up already Rosie!!!!.....that is something an elementary school brat would do....

Here is a good one – a 20-year-old Syracuse woman left four young girls (the oldest only 6-years-old) who she was watching in order to go pose for nude photos......police say Michelle Rendino was supposed to be watching the girls when she left them alone and went into the woods to have a man take nude photos of her....the oldest girl told police that "Aunt Michelle" went into the woods to take "nasty pictures"......

The Friday Blog Promotion
If you hate Alex Rodriguez, the blog for you is the Pig Pen.....even if you don’t hate A-Rod, the Pig Pen is still a good blog.....this is how the writers at “The Pen” describe their blog - “If you are sick and tired of monotonous, tiresome, repetitive, and just about lifeless sports analysis then you’ve found your haven for sports’ news. Welcome to The Pig Pen. The Sports Truth. We won’t just tell you what’s happening, we’ll give you an expert analysis without the bullshit. Either you’re gonna love us or you’re gonna hate us. But I’ll tell you one thing. If you hate us, it just means we’re that fucking good.”

The Pig Pen

College Football at its Best - Texas A&M Aggies

Today Stiles Points features the Texas A&M Aggies as part of the series "College Football at its Best".....Brad from the blog The 12th Man Child was nice enough to respond....he is a 22-year-old senior at Texas A&M....he works as a photographer for the Texas A&M student media and has been blogging for just under a year.....I want to thank Brad for his time....

The 12th Man Child - Texas A&M

Q1. What does the 12th Man mean? Please explain what is the meaning behind it and its importance?
The 12th Man is unequivocally the greatest tradition in college football today. It started in 1922 when the Aggies were playing #1 ranked Centre College. The game was brutal and due to mounting injuries, the Aggie sideline was getting pretty thin. Looking for replacements, coach Dana X. Bible remembered that E. King Gill, a former football player turned basketball player, was assisting reporters in the press box. Gill was called down to the sideline, suited up, and stood ready for the rest of the game, which A&M eventually won 22-14. According to the official Texas A&M Traditions Council (yes, at A&M there are so many traditions that there is a student organization tasked with the oversight of the many traditions) :

" This gesture was more than enough for the Aggie Team. Although Gill did not play in the game, he had accepted the call to help his team. He came to be known as the "Twelfth Man" because he stood ready for in case the eleven men on the gridiron needed him. That spirit of readiness for service, desire to support, and enthusiasm helped kindle a flame of devotion among the entire student body; a spirit that has grown vigorously throughout the years. The entire student body at A&M is the Twelfth Man, and they stand during the entire game to show their support. The 12th Man is always in the stands waiting to be called upon if needed."

While students standing and yelling for the entirety of games is nothing special in modern times, there's no other school that alots more seats for students and there's no other school that has coordinated yelling. It's impossible to discuss the 12th Man without explaining what "Yell Leaders" are. Texas A&M does not have cheerleaders, instead there are 5 Yell Leaders positioned throughout the stadium that direct the 12th Man in coordinated yells (not "cheers"). There's nothing quite like being on the field when 80,000 voices yell in unison, it's something no noise machine can duplicate, and no team can truly prepare for. In addition to creating a deafening atmosphere when the Ags are on offense, the 12th Man knows when to be quiet. Broadcasters have often compared Kyle Field to a putting green when the Ags are on offense.

In addition to yelling and supporting the team from the stands, the 12th Man is represented by a special group of students who walk-on to the football team. Each game, one walk-on is selected to wear the sacred #12 and to play on kickoff and punt team. In 2005, Coach Fran brought back the 12th Man Kickoff Team of the 80's in a modified form. While still consisting of all walk-ons, the team only sees the field when the Aggies are comfortably ahead.

In short, Kirk Herbstreit's no fool for calling the 12th Man the greatest student section in all of college sports.

Q2. What is the greatest Texas A&M football game that you have seen - whether it be in-person or on television? Explain the game and why it was so great.
Well, I didn't really truly follow the Aggies until the 2003 season, so I can't say the 2000 OU game, where the Ags upset #1 ranked Oklahoma and Reggie McNeal shocked the world. Or The 1999 Texas game, days after Bonfire collapsed.

To me, a great game has to be close for the entirety of the game, and/or be decided in the final minute or OT.

In 2006, Texas A&M played in 7 great games. While many of those games shouldn't have been close (I'm looking at you, Army), there's nothing like the electricity of a close game with 22 men playing their hearts out. The 2006 Nebraska and OU games were epic, and the raw emotion from the final minutes of those games will stay with me for a long time.

Most will want my answer to be the 12-7 trench warfare that was the Texas game last November, but I'm going with the 34-33(OT) victory over Oklahoma State in Stillwater last October.

As a photographer I had the privilege of being on the sideline, able to see and hear the players and coaches working together, refusing to lose, as they marched down the field in the 4th quarter to tie the game. When Red Bryant blocked the FG in OT, the sideline exploded with jubilation, I remember just holding down the shutter as I jumped around and ran onto the field.

Q3. Why do the Aggies hate the Texas Longhorns so much? (explain the rivalry)
The rivalry between Texas A&M and Texas is much like that of most rivalries between state schools, born more out of politics, proximity, and competition for funds than competition on the field.

I attempted to explain the rivalry using actual sentences and I found myself writing pages upon pages, I give you the short version:
- A&M established first, but UT board of directors tried to have A&M closed.
- A&M represents blue collar work & military
- UT represents trust funded English degrees (aggies refer to longhorns as "tea sips")
- Austin becomes Berkeley of the South, A&M becomes very tied to Republican politics.
- 1963 Texas A&M integrates and Corps of Cadets participation is no longer mandatory, officialy designated a University. Athletics program is no longer bound and gagged. Record against Texas since 1967 is 18-22.
- The state of Texas enacts the Top 10% rule, guaranteeing admission to any state university if the student graduates in the Top 10% of their HS class. The quantity and quality of students entering both universities explodes. Currently both schools are the flagship of their own university systems, which compete bitterly for funding, yet often form research coops.

In the end though, Aggies don't hate Longhorns, or vise versa. When it comes down to it, we're all Texans (explanation in Q4).

Q4. Explain the tradition of the bonfire before the Texas game?

Burning stuff because of football isn't unique to any school (unless we're talkin couches), but since 1909 Aggies have been building a bonfire like no other.

While Bonfire often comes with the description that it represents A&M's "burning desire to Beat The Hell Outta t.u.", that couldn't be further from the truth. What made the tradition of Bonfire so special and dear to Aggies was the camaraderie built during the semester long period of cutting and stacking the gigantic logs. Students from all parts of campus and student life worked side by side to cut and stack the logs. Grades and trees fell, while the stack and the Spirit of Aggieland grew. The week of the Texas game, 50,000+ would gather at the stack for a Yell Practice and to watch it burn.

In the early morning hours of November 18, 1999 Bonfire collapsed with 58 students working on it. 27 students were injured, 12 died. The rescue effort took 24 hours because the logs were wired together and the logs had to be removed by hand (heavy equipment was ruled out in fear of causing further collapses and killing those trapped inside). The Corps of Cadets and the Aggie football team were called out in the middle of the night to help remove the logs. Getting back why there is no hate between Aggies and Longhorns, in the days after the collapse, Eric Opiela The UT Student VP wrote a letter to various newspapers.

I had the great privilege of attending the memorial service at A&M tonight and was deeply moved by the events I experienced. The A&M student body is truly one of the great treasures of our State.As part of the UT delegation, we sat on the floor of Reed Arena, and immediately following the end of the service, I heard this rustling sound behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw the sight of close to 20,000 students spontaneously putting their arms on their neighbor's shoulders, forming a great circle around the arena.The mass stood there in a pin-drop silence for close to five minutes, then, from somewhere, someone began to hum quietly the hymn "Amazing Grace". Within seconds, the whole arena was singing. I tried too—I choked, I cried. This event brought me to tears. It was one if not the defining moment of my college career. I learned something tonight. For all us Longhorns discount A&M in our neverending rivalry, we need to realize one thing. Aggieland is a special place, with special people. It is infinitely better equipped than us at dealing with a tragedy such as this for one simple reason. It is a family. It is a family that cares for its own, a family that reaches out, a family that is unified in the face of adversity; a family that moved this Longhorn to tears. My heart, my prayers; and the heart of the UT student body go out tonight to Aggies and their family and friends as they, recover, from this great loss. Texas A&M, The Eyes of Texas are Upon You—and they look with sincere sympathy upon a family that has been through so much tragedy this semester.

Complacency and stubborn tradition were to blame, the same technology and techniques that were used in 1909 were still being hazardously applied in 1999. With litigation still pending, Bonfire has not returned to campus at A&M, and most likely never will. Yet, there is an off-campus organization that is keeping the tradition alive, hoping for the day Bonfire returns to polo fields of Texas A&M.

Q5. Make your case why Texas A&M football, as a whole, is the best football program in the country?
Winning is everything, and A&M hasn't won enough in recent memory to be considered among the best programs in the country. Our last mythical championship was in 1939, and I don't think we've been anywhere near a BCS bowl. Yet, I will say this, you don't fully know all that is college football until you attend a game at Kyle Field.

While A&M may not be able to claim "best football program in the country" it can easily claim "most unique".

Most schools have one great tradition for football games (Clemson's entrance, Ohio State's Dotting the i, USC's Song Girls), Texas A&M has a handful (12th Man, Midnight Yell, Yell Leaders, etc).

Now if only we could win the big games..

I want to thank Brad once again for his time and great photo of Bonfire....on Monday, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be featured....

Quick Hits - Posh Spice does not own a diamond vibrator

Here are some tidbits from the newspapers that caught my eye....

Posh Spice does not own a $1.8 million diamond encrusted vibrator.....this past week the Los Angeles Times ran a story about David Beckham and his wife Posh Spice....in the article the reporter writes how Becks and Posh give each other lavish gifts.....it went on to state, “While Victoria (Posh) was expecting their third child, Beckham spent $1.8 million for a diamond encrusted sex toy with a matching 16-carat diamond necklace.”......Posh has denied owning a $1.8 million diamond encrusted vibrator....

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield unloaded on New York Yankees manager Joe Torre in an upcoming "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel"....Sheffield claims that Torre discriminates against African-American players while Sheffield was a Yankee.....former Yankees teammate Kenny Lofton has supported Sheffield’s claim.....however, on Sunday night, ESPN’s Peter Gammons reported that former Yankee Tom Gordon, who played with Sheffield and Lofton in New York, said that Torre never discriminated against African-American players.....I have no problem with players speaking their mind, but it is unfair and irresponsible for someone to shoot off their mouth by throwing around the race card if they cannot provide support.....Sheffield may have indeed felt that way while with the Yankees, but he was wrong for making a general statement that Torre discriminated against all African-American players.....maybe Torre did discriminated against Sheffield because “Sheff” is just a plain and simple arrogant jerk...

I have become a big fan of "The Closer" which airs every Monday at 9:00 p.m. on one of the Turner channels....Kyra Sedgwick does an excellent job in her role as a professional yet at times ditzy bright red lipstick wearing deputy police chief....

Is it just me or is the race for the Democratic presidential candidate over.....when it is all said and done, Hillary Clinton will get the nomination.....I think the media is trying to make a race of it among Obama, Edwards, and Clinton.....I do not like Hillary Clinton at all, but I have accepted the fact that she will not just go away and slide back under that rock where she came from in New York.....I mean in D.C......no wait, isn't she from Arkansas......hold up, she is originally from Illinois.....but wait, how could she be from the Windy City with that Southern accent?......hmmmm, but just the other day she was speaking like a New Yorker.....

Sports Illustrated's Peter King reported in his Monday Morning Quarterback report this quote from federal documents detailing the dofights that took place on Michael Vick's property...."The dog fight would last to the end, which would generally involve the death or surrender of the losing dog. At the end of the fight, the losing dog was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution, or some other method.''....Vick has been indicted for his supposed involvement...if he is found guilty, he should be thrown out of the league for life...scum like him should not have the priviledge to play in the NFL....this type of behavior to a dog is barbaric and inhumane....to me, Michael Vick is garbage...

College Football at its Best - Oregon Ducks

Today Stiles Points moves to the westcoast and features the Oregon Ducks as part of the series "College Football at its Best".....Dave from the blog Addicted to Quack was kind enough to respond....he may have the best named college football blog in the country.....I want to thank him for his time.....

Addicted to Quack - Oregon

Q1. I have to ask you about the multi-colored jerseys? What is your truthful opinion of them?
I think that many Duck fans truly wonder what the big deal is. While the jerseys are certainly unorthodox, and the lightning yellow is especially ugly, I doubt that they are the ugliest uniforms known to man. We don't have great traditional uniforms. We don't have great tradition, period. But people are ALWAYS talking about our uniforms. It keeps the Ducks on the front burner, even during poor seasons, because they're always at the cutting edge. And players often help design them. They're big with recruits. And if they help us get recruits—which is a given fact at this point, then I, as well as most Duck fans, like them.

Q2. What is the greatest Oregon football game that you have seen - whether it be in-person or on television? Explain the game and why it was so great.
It's really hard because there have been so many great games. I really want to say the Michigan game in 2003 (photo) because the atmosphere was so intense and we knocked off the #3 team in the country in what was arguably the biggest nonconference game ever in Eugene. There was also the Fiesta Bowl win in '01, and the 56-14 steam rolling of Oregon State in the fog bowl of '05. However, one game rises to the top because, arguably, Oregon football doesn't exist today without that game. I'm talking the 1994 game vs. Washington.

#7 Washington, favored to win the Pac-10, comes into Eugene having won 17 of 20 vs. Oregon. Oregon football is nothing at that point: a Freedom Bowl berth that Oregon basically bought a few years before being the biggest football accomplishment in 30 years. The Ducks took a three point lead over the mighty Huskies, but looked like they would have their hearts broken as Damon Huard drove Washington down to the three yard line with 1:05 left. But then Kenny Wheaton picked off a ball and returned it 97 yards for the touchdown. The win catapulted Oregon to its first Rose Bowl since 1958, and is the game that most signify as the beginning of Oregon football as we know it. To this day, "the pick" is the last thing they play on the scoreboard before the Ducks take the field, to the roaring of the crowd. Oh, and I was a sixth grader--it was the first Oregon game I ever saw in person. Great timing, I guess.

See "The Pick" on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx9rBOlubPQ&mode=related&search=

Q3. Who is Oregon's most hated rival - Oregon State, USC, or UCLA? (explain the rivalry)
What's funny is that you probably totally missed it. I wouldn't call UCLA or USC rivalries, beyond the fact that they are conference games. Oregon State is definitely a rival, but it's kind of a friendly rivalry. Obviously, we never want to lose to the Beavers, but most Duck fans root for the Beavers in games that don't affect the Ducks. But if you want to talk about pure, unadulterated hatred, there is only one acceptable answer: The University of Washington is our most hated rival.

Some say that it started in 1948. In the old Pacific Coast Conference, there was a vote to determine the Rose Bowl representative between Oregon and Cal. It was assumed that the six Northwest schools would vote Oregon, and the four California schools for Cal. However, Washington voted for Cal and convinced Montana to do the same. A few years later, the dean of Oregon's law school led a successful crusade against Washington's football program for paying its players. In the meantime, the teams exchanged beatings on the field. It was really nasty, but then Washington went into a 30-year period of dominance in the series.

The aforementioned pick in 1994 rekindled the rivalry, and many Duck fans were especially bitter at the way they had been treated by Washington fans over the years. For the next decade, the teams would exchange wins in the series, which always seemed to have conference title implications. This rivalry is purely hatred, and Duck fans laugh at Washington's current status as doormats of the Pac-10. If they never won another game, it would suit us just fine. But these games are always nasty.

Q4. Since 1970, who are the five greatest players to put on an Oregon jersey?
1. Joey Harrington (photo) has to be number one. With Joey Heisman at the helm, you were never out of a game. In his final two seasons, he had five fourth quarter comebacks. He led Oregon to arguably their two best seasons ever in '00 and '01. He was Pac-10 player of the year in 2001, and is easily the most recognizable player in Oregon football history.

2. Bill Musgrave. If he had come ten years later with better talent around him, he'd be Joey Harrington, only Musgrave had greater physical skills. He's still Oregon's leading career passer with 8343 yards. As a junior in 1989, he led Oregon to its biggest victory to the date, a drubbing of #3 BYU in which Musgrave passed for 489 yards. And he led Oregon out of decades of darkness to their first two bowl appearances (1989 Independence and 1990 Freedom) since the 1963 Sun Bowl.

3. Haloti Ngata has to be Oregon's most dominant defensive player ever. From '02 to '05, Ngata anchored the defensive line, drawing double and even triple teams on every play, and STILL getting to the quarterback. His dominance allowed very average players such as Devan Long (sacks) and Aaron Gipson (interceptions) to be among the national leaders in those categories. A first team All-American in '05, he currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

4. Kenny Wheaton. If sports is all about moments, he has to be in there. However, he was no one trick pony. In addition to "the pick," he was a great shut down corner and was the first Oregon Duck to leave school early for the NFL.

5. It's hard to say. We've had a lot of good backs and receivers, but a lot of them lump together in my mind. But Jonathan Stewart will be here by the end of his career. Bank on it.

Q5. Make your case why Oregon football, as a whole, is the best football program in the country?
Its hard to make that argument based on on-field success. Oregon doesn't have the storied history of a Penn State or a Texas. But that's also a very exciting thing. Rather than carrying on tradition, the players and fans of the last 15 years have been building the traditions. Its a very exciting time of transition here at Oregon. I also love that we can respect the past while we embrace the future. Some of the newer Oregon students have grown up with relative success, but most Duck fans can remember the day where we were truly terrible year in and year out. I think that it gives us an appreciation for what is accomplished. I love that we are successful, but I also love that I can tell my children I remember when…..That, and I guarantee there is no better stadium atmosphere anywhere than Autzen.

I want to thank Dave again for his time.....on Thursday Texas A&M Aggies will be featured....

College Football at its Best - Penn State Nittany Lions

Today Stiles Points features the Penn State Nittany Lions as part of the series "College Football at its Best"....Mike from Black Shoe Diaries was kind enough to take some time and respond to my questions....he's a 33-year-old engineer living in Philadelphia who graduated from Penn State in 1997....he has been blogging about Penn State since January 2006 and has been running BSD since August of 2006....I want to thank Mike for his time....

BlackShoeDiaries - Penn State

Q1. Who was the better running back at Penn State - Ki Jana Carter, Larry Johnson, Curt Warner, or Curtis Enis?
Wow. Tough question. My personal favorite would be Ki-Jana Carter. I was a junior at Penn State in 1994 so I will always have a soft spot for that team. Most Penn State fans consider him the best all around back to play for the Nittany Lions. I have to agree. He had the total package. He could run, catch, and block. But beyond that he was a humble kid that endeared him with the Penn State faithful.

Not to take anything away from the other guys though. Johnson and Enis were great, but they both had some attitude problems. I’m afraid I’m too young to remember Curt Warner, so I’m probably not doing him justice. A lot of old timers will contend he was the best ever. I’m sorry I’m not informed enough to comment on him that much.

Q2. What is the greatest Penn State football game that you have seen - whether it be in-person or on television? Explain the game and why it was so great.
Another tough question. Why don’t you just ask me which one of my kids I love most? The

1987 Fiesta Bowl win over Miami has to be the greatest of all time. We were huge underdogs and nobody gave us a chance in that game. The buildup to that game was unbelievable. Miami paraded around all week in their army fatigues while the Penn State kids were always seen in suits and ties. It was a classic street thugs vs. the choir boys battle. At the joint team dinner before the game Jerome Brown stood up and asked, “Did the Japanese sit down and eat with Pearl Harbor before they bombed them? No. We’re outta here.” And with that he led the Hurricanes back to the team busses. On their way out the door Penn State punter John Bruno stood up and asked them, “Excuse me, but didn’t the Japanese lose the war?” The game evolved into more than just a football game between Penn State and Miami. It was a struggle between good and evil.

Miami had an amazing amount of talent. In addition to Heisman Trophy winner Vinnie Testaverde they had future NFL stars Michael Irvin, Jerome Brown, Alonzo Highsmith not to mention future Dallas Cowboy and Super Bowl winning coach Jimmy Johnson running the show. Penn State had guys like John Shaffer, D.J. Dozier, and Ray Isom. Only linebacker Shane Conlan was recognized as having future NFL star potential.

The Penn State defense won that game. The offense couldn’t move the ball all night. It was the defense that won the game by forcing five interceptions. They got into the head of Johnson and Testaverde. As Miami drove deep into Penn State territory late in the fourth quarter with Penn State holding on to a slim 14-10 lead the tension was so thick my arms and legs were shaking as I watched the television. The pressure was so great on fourth and goal that defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky got lockjaw. He couldn’t call the play. Linebacker Trey Bauer called the play from the huddle. Testaverde rolled left and threw the ball right to Penn State linebacker Pete Giftopoulos. Pete ran around like he didn’t know what to do and just fell to the ground. Joe Paterno won his second National Championship and the entire state of Pennsylvania exhaled.

Q3. Who is currently Penn State's biggest rival? Do you miss the rivalry with the old eastern teams such as West Virginia, Syracuse, and Pitt?
In a way I do miss the old rivalries with West Virginia, Syracuse and Pitt. Lately the Big East has been getting some recognition as a credible conference again. I know if Penn State played those teams we would beat them more often than they would beat us. Teams like West Virginia and Rutgers are starting to think they are national players. It bugs me we can’t settle it on the field anymore.

But I wouldn’t trade Penn State’s status in the Big Ten for anything. We don’t have a natural rival in the conference. Penn State fans like to think Ohio State or Michigan are our biggest rivals, but those teams each consider the other to be their rival so they don’t necessarily reciprocate the hate that Penn State fans have for them. The eight game losing streak and the fact that the two teams didn’t play in 2003 and 2004 kind of cooled off the rivalry with Michigan. Right now I think Penn State fans consider Ohio State to be our biggest rivalry.

Q4. Since 1970, who are the five greatest players to wear a Penn State uniform and why?
Well, I was born in 1974 and didn’t really start following Penn State football until around 1985, so I probably can’t do the players before that time justice, but here’s my top five list.

5. Larry Johnson – After spending four years riding the bench and in Joe’s doghouse he broke out for that special 2000 yard season in 2002. I think he broke the single game rushing record three times that year.

4. Paul Posluszny – All time Penn State career leader in tackles. Arguably the best linebacker to ever play at Linebacker U. He embodied the Joe Paterno mold of the student athlete.

3. Ki-Jana Carter – Heart and soul of the 1994 offense which many people rank with the greatest offenses of all time.

2. Todd Blackledge – Starting quarterback on the 1982 National Championship team.

1. Shane Conlan – Two time All American and member of the 1986 championship team.

Somebody is going to yell at me for leaving someone off the list.

Q5. Make your case why Penn State football, as a whole, is the best football program in the country?
This is like asking Joe Paterno to show you his best endzone celebration dance. I guess I’m supposed to mention National Championships, undefeated seasons, All Americans, and legendary coaches. Maybe it’s a result of being a Penn State fan so long, but I have a tough time saying Penn State is the best program in the country. Joe Paterno would never tell you he has the best program in the country, so neither can I.

I think we’re a great program. Maybe one of the top five or ten in the country. Obviously we’ve been very successful on the field, but I think what endears this program to our fans is the manner in which the team conducts themselves with class on the field. There is no dancing in the endzone. No taunting the opponent. When you score you act like you’ve been there before. We wear plain blue jerseys with no names on them. On the road we go completely vanilla. We’re boring, but we’re a team. Off the field Penn State student athletes excel in the classroom as well. In a commencement speech a few years ago Joe Paterno said, “Success without honor is an unseasoned dish. It will satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good.” Penn State adopted from that speech a slogan that goes “Success with Honor”. Paterno has applied this to his coaching and teaching philosophy and it’s the reason why Penn State fans feel so much pride in their team....

I want to thank Mike for his time....tomorrow I will feature the Oregon Ducks....

Sunday Baker's Dozen

Sunday Fact - Former Dodger Don Newcombe is the only pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP over his career.

New York Yankees manager Joe Torre tells New York Daily News reporter Mark Feinsand that this has been his toughest year as manager of the Bronx Bombers.... "Torre admitted to the Daily News last night that this has been the most difficult season he has endured in New York. If his magical ride in his hometown ends on the sourest of notes, Torre seems ready to deal with that." ....

Mark Feinsand

Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan looks back at the life of Bucko Kilroy who died last Tuesday.... "Bucko Kilroy the player was legend enough. Tough and unapologetic, he dished it out and took it in the trenches with such gusto that he had a reputation as one of the most hated and feared (and respected) men in the league." ....

Bob Ryan

New York Daily News reporter Hank Gola writes about the last time the British Open was played at Carnoustie - one of the greatest meltdowns in golf history occurred.....remember Jean Van De Velde.... "This week, the British Open returns to the scene of the disaster, where the Frenchman preferred to go down in flames than take the easy path to the claret jug." ....

Hank Gola

Oakland Tribune sports columnist Art Spander is in Scotland getting ready for the British Open.... "The British Open, the Open Championship, is back in Scotland, at Carnoustie, on the northeast coast, Tayside, near Glamis Castle, reputed to be the one where Macbeth held dominion, not all that far from the ruins of the castle of McDuff, who, not born of woman, slew Macbeth." ....

Art Spander

Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball reporter Paul Hoynes has been covering the Cleveland Indians for the last 25 years.....in a year long series, each month Hoynsie, as he is known, selects the best player he has seen at each position.....today he picks his best right field.....

Paul Hoynes

The talk of the sports world this week was about David Beckham....L.A. Times columnist Grahame L. Jones writes that Becks could be in for a rough ride.... "The playing fields of the U.S. and Canada are not like the manicured lawns of Old Trafford or Santiago Bernabeu stadiums. Sometimes they are threadbare. Sometimes they are bumpy. Sometimes they are artificial." ....

Grahame L. Jones

Fort Worth Star-Telegram sports columnist Gil Lebreton gives his list of 100 places a true sports fan should do before they die..... "I don't necessarily want to see an opera festival in Finland, or bathe with strangers in Budapest before I die. I want to go to a Red Sox-Yankees game in Fenway Park." ......

Gil Lebreton

Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti is asking commissioner Bud Selig to listen to the Cubs fans and allow Mark Cuban to buy the team.... "The fans want Cuban, as indicated by every Internet poll, talk-show discussion and Wrigleyville debate I've heard and read. The players want Cuban . . . " .....

Jay Mariotti

Home field advantage?....the Cubs don't need no stinkin home field advantage according to Chicago Tribune sports Columnist Rick Morrissey..... "When the Cubs win the first two games on the road against some hapless American League opponent, won't home-field advantage in the Fall Classic be a moot point anyway? If they are going to sweep, which is a given, it would mean the club can celebrate on the hallowed ground of Wrigley Field." .....

Rick Morrissey

St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Rick Hummel writes that people should not over-analyze the tiff between Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols.... "Pujols, long a La Russa backer, will play as hard as always. If he and third baseman Scott Rolen, who had just four homers before the weekend, find their power strokes, the Cardinals' offense will take on a different look." .....

Rick Hummel

The Baltimore Sun begins a series of stories about athletes who leave the playing field to go to the battlefield.... "The concept of sports as preparation for war dates to ancient times - and still thrives as military recruiters seek out future warriors among teenage athletes....."

Rick Maese

Newark Star-Ledger's Carlton Holmes writes that time is no longer on Michael Strahan's side... "The 15-year NFL veteran, who holds the NFL record for sacks among active players with 129 1/2, does believe his time in the league is winding down." ....

Carlton Holmes

Boston Globe reporter John Powers writes how a former Harvard football player and WWE wrestler is taking on the issue of concussions.... "Nowinski has solid credentials because he's also a victim, a former Harvard football player and World Wrestling Entertainment performer who suffered at least a half-dozen concussions that eventually ended his career." ....

John Powers