Brother vs. Brother - Jim Tressel vs. Mark Dantonio

#12 Ohio State @ #20 Michigan State
Saturday, October 18, 2008
East Lansing, Michigan - 3:30 (EST)
Ohio State -3.5

Summary
This is a battle of big brother vs. little brother...Jim Tressel vs. Mark Dantonio...it is a battle of "Family"...

Ohio State has been winning since getting thumped 35-3 by Southern Cal...the offense has been sluggish of late as they did not score an offensive touchdown last week against a weak Purdue team...there has been some mumbling that senior quarterback Todd Boeckman deserves to see action again, but that will not happen...Tressel has the man that he wants under center - Terrelle Pryor...by bringing Boeckman back into the picture, Tressel could start another quarterback controversy, something he wants to avoid at all costs...

When reading the newspapers, there is a clear divide on this team...the seniors want Boeckman to see more playing time...interestingly, Tressel always stresses senior leadership, but he is refusing to put in Boeckman even though he is one of the team captains...

Things have changed up north - and we aren't talking about the Wolverines...this year, baby brother has a team that just may win the Big Ten and play in the Rose Bowl...Michigan State is the team to beat in the State of Michigan...

The Spartans are led by senior running back Javon Ringer who is moving his name up the Heisman list...Ringer already as 1,112 yards rushing and 14 TDs...the Spartans rely heavily on the running game to score points...QB Brian Hoyer has thrown only 6 TDs this year...overall, the Spartans average 176 yards/game on the ground and 192 through the air...

The Spartans have committed only 6 turnovers all year while forcing their opponents to 16 turnovers...

What the experts say...
The Gold Sheet - Michigan State 21-20
Point Wise - Ohio State 22-21
Power Sweet - Ohio State 24-14

Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1) - Head Coach Jim Tressel
Here are the Ohio State game notes for the Michigan State game...

Ohio State Game Notes

Here is the transcript from the weekly press conference...

Jim Tressel Press Conference

For more information about the Buckeyes, check out the blog Around the Oval...

Around the Oval

Bob Baptist of the Columbus Dispatch writes how Michigan State has become a mentally tougher team under Dantonio... "But those moments are becoming fewer and fewer as the Michigan State program more and more embodies the tough, no-nonsense ethic of Dantonio, who was hired two years ago to rescue it from the mood swings that marked his predecessor." ...

Bob Baptist

Ken Gordon of the Columbus Dispatch writes how Tressel has found his man in Terrelle Pryor even though the numbers keep dropping... "Pryor has accounted for progressively fewer total yards in each of his starts: 205 against Troy, 167 against Minnesota, 164 at Wisconsin and 124 last week." ...

Ken Gordon

Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes how Ohio State is trying to get the offense rolling again... "Three days after failing to score an offensive touchdown in a 16-3 win over Purdue on Saturday, the Buckeyes hit the practice field Tuesday in a continued search for answers." ...

Doug Lesmerises

Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch writes how offensive coordinator Jim Bollman is dealing with the lack of offense... "Bollman was asked yesterday what he would tell fans who are fretting the malaise will continue. They think it could deep-six what is still a promising season, perhaps even Saturday when the Buckeyes (6-1, 3-0) play at Michigan State (6-1, 3-0)." ...

Tim May

Michigan State Spartans (6-1) - Head Coach Mark Dantonio
Here are the Michigan State game notes for the Ohio State game...

Michigan State Game Notes

Here is the transcript from Mark Dantonio's weekly press conference...

Mark Dantonio

For more information about Michigan State, check out the blog Spartan Tailgate...

Spartan Tailgate

Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal writes how there are 24 players from the state of Ohio on the Michigan State team... "For a team with just as many starters from Ohio as from Michigan, it's fair to wonder which of the next two Saturdays will see the bigger "rivalry game." Obviously, Michigan State's No. 1 nemesis is Michigan, which will host the Spartans on Oct. 25. But Saturday's home game against Ohio State will have an awfully intense feel to it for many Spartans." ...

Joe Rexrode

Marlen Garcia of USA Today writes how MSU running back Javon Ringer is piling up the yards and Ws... "In part, Ringer said shaky academics kept him from getting to OSU. But he didn’t beat himself up over it." ...

Marlen Garcia

Shannon Shelton of the Detroit Free Press writes that this year's game is more than Tressel vs. Dantonio... "Last season, the biggest story line entering Michigan State's game against Ohio State was the teacher vs. student battle between Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and protégé Mark Dantonio, the first-year coach at MSU." ...

Shannon Shelton

In honor of the 10-year anniversary of when Michigan State went into Columbus as 28-point underdogs and upset the #1 ranked Buckeyes, here is a 3:32 clip of that game...

Colt McCoy - Chase Daniel - battle of friends

#12 Missouri vs. #1 Texas
Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 8:00 EST
Darrel K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium
Austin, Texas
Texas -7.5

Summary
After Texas' big win over Oklahoma, QB Colt McCoy was asked about the Longhorns next game with Missouri...McCoy responded that it would probably be the second week Texas would have to play the #1 team in the nation...that all changed 6 hours later when Okie State went to Columbia and stumped the highly favored Tigers...

The Tigers now head into Austin and wonder what could have been...sophomore Jeremy Maclin (photo below) leads the Big XII conference with 1,157 all-purpose yards...

McCoy is now the clear front runner for the Heisman Trophy after last week's performance...McCoy won the Big XII Conference Offensive Player of the Week - the second time this year...Jordan Shipley took home the conference Special Teams Player of the Week too...on defense, the player who showed he is a force at defensive end is Brian Orakpo (photo below)...Orakpo "blew up" numerous plays and caused havoc on the Sooners last week...

Also, ESPN's College Gameday will be live from Austin...Texas leads the all-series 15-5 including winning the last four meetings...over the last eight years, Texas has the winningest football program with a mark of 82-14...

What the experets say...
The Gold Sheet - Texas 30-27
Point Wise - Texas 44-31
Power Sweep - Missouri 38-37

Missouri Tigers (6-1) - Head Coach Gary Pinkel
Here are the Missouri game notes for the Texas game...

Missouri Game Notes

Bernie Miklasz of the the St, Louis Post-Dispatch writes how last week's lost to Okie State has put the pressure back on Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel... "Much of the flak had vanished. Winning does that. But when the frazzled Tigers skidded to an unexpected 28-23 loss at home to Oklahoma State, the upset reheated some of those negative Pinkel sentiments." ...

Bernie Miklasz

Mike DeArmond of the Kansas City Star writes how the Tigers have a lot of players from the State of Texas... "Then there are wide receivers Danario Alexander and Earl Goldsmith and defensive secondary backups Del Howard and Kevin Rutland. Each has a story about how Texas let ’em get away — or even how the Longhorns may not have ever known they played Texas high school football." ...

Mike DeArmond

Dan Angell of the Columbia Missourian writes how Chase Daniel and other native Texans do not have a connection to the state... "He's heard all about the connections between himself and Colt McCoy, a good friend who ended up as the Texas quarterback. But the Texas connection is not a big deal to Daniel anymore." ...

Dan Angell

Texas Longhorns (7-0) - Head Coach Mack Brown
Here are the Texas game notes for the Missouri game...

Texas Game Notes

Alan Trubow of the Austin American-Statesman writes about Longhorn safety Blake Gideon and his impressive play despite having back problems... "There were a few big hits during a non-district football game his sophomore season at Leander. There was a crack. Lots of pain. Blake knew his back was bad, and getting worse, but he sucked it up and kept to himself." ...

Alan Trubow

Tim Griffin of the ESPN Blog Network writes about the impact of Brian Orakpo..."Orakpo has been one of the major reasons why the Texas defense has far surpassed expectations after the first half of the season." ...

Tim Griffin

Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman writes that Missouri may have lost last week, but they are still a force... "Fresh off a Big 12 title game appearance, they're showing up with a solid coach, a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, athletic talent all over the field and a legacy of losing they're trying hard to shed." ...

Kirk Bohls

The Dallas Morning News has an article about how Colt McCoy and Chase Daniel have known each other since their days at high school football camps... "They remain linked by circumstance and friendship after first meeting at high school football camps. McCoy signed with Texas. Daniel, who once imagined playing for the Longhorns, went to Missouri." ...

Dallas Morning News

Fowler says Texas and Alabama better watch out!

ESPN's Chris Fowler warns Texas and Alabama of possible upsets... "In the eight-decade history of the AP poll, three of the top four teams lost during the same weekend only three times. Until this season. Suddenly, it has happened twice in three weeks! Let that sink in for a second. It is astounding. Only two of the top four teams face really tricky games on Saturday: No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Alabama." ...

Chris Fowler

Stiles Points rips "white collar" bloggers in interview on The Zone Blitz

The Zone Blitz was kind enough to interview me about the sports blogging world...as usual, I don't hold back on my thoughts...

The Zone Blitz

Bob Stoops vs. Mark Mangino - The Youngstown, Ohio Connection

#15 Kansas @ #6 Oklahoma
Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 3:30 EST
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Owen Field
Norman, Oklahoma
Oklahoma -15.5

Summary
This is a match-up of Youngstown, Ohio natives...Bear Mangino is a graduate of Youngstown State University while Bob Stoops was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio...Mangino was a former assistant under Stoops at OU from 1999-01...as offensive coordinator, Mangino helped the Sooners win a BCS title as they had a 24-2 mark while he was running the offense...

This will mark the 100th meeting between the two schools...Oklahoma currently has the longest home winning streak in the nation at 20 straight games...the Sooners lead the all-time series 66-27-6...these teams last met in 2005 when Oklahoma won 19-3 with the game played at Kansas City...

With that said, it comes down to what the players do on the field...the Fighting Manginos of Kansas have only 1 loss, a last second field goal by South Florida...leading the team again is fiesty QB Todd Reesing who has thrown 15 TDs to 3 INTS...his favorite target is Kerry Meier who has 53 receptions and three TDs...

Kansas averages 124 yards/game on the ground...the rushing attack is split between Jake Sharp (283 yards) and Angus Quigley (227 yards)...

OU's defense took a shot last week after losing LB Ryan Reynolds...the Sooners also failed to establish a running game as DeMarco Murray struggled...

Kansas Jayhawks (5-1) - Head Coach Mark "Bear" Mangino
Here are the Kansas game notes for the Oklahoma game...

Kansas Game Notes

Here are quotes from Mark Mangino's weekly press conference...

Mark Mangino Press Conference

Dugan Arnett of the Lawrence Journal World writes how Kansas recruits heavy in the state of Oklahoma... "Similar sentiments should be plentiful Saturday, when a large collection of Oklahoma natives return to their home state for the Jayhawks’ biggest game of the season. With the exception of Texas, the state of Oklahoma is where Kansas’ coaches have gone most frequently to sign out-of-state recruits." ...

Dugan Arnett

Tully Corcoran of the Topeka Captial-Journal writes how Bear Mangino is still well liked in the Sooner state... "The funny thing about Mark Mangino in Oklahoma is that he is a minor celebrity there, which is noteworthy for a guy who doesn't exactly seek out the limelight." ...

Tully Corcoran

Oklahoma Sooners (5-1) - Head Coach Bob Stoops
Here are the Oklahoma game notes for the Kansas game...

Oklahoma Game Notes

Here is the transcript from Bob Stoops weekly press conference...

Bob Stoops Press Conference

John Shinn of the Norman Transcript writes how the Sooners have a history of bouncing back after the Texas game... "The Sooners have been remarkably adept at leaving the Texas game — win or lose — at the Cotton Bowl throughout the years. Under Stoops, they’re 9-0 against whatever team follows the Longhorns. In this case, it will be No. 16 Kansas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Owen Field." ...

John Shinn

John Shinn writes about the changes made on kick-off coverage... "Stoops pointed out that OU didn’t give up a single kick return for a touchdown last season even though it led the nation in kickoffs with 104. The coaches are the same, but some players have changed." ...

John Shinn

Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman writes how OU needs to rework its defense... "This week, OU will try and reassemble its defense without Reynolds, who is lost for the season with a third major knee injury in as many years." ...

Jake Trotter

Enjoy this 17 second clip of Bear Mangino throwing out the first pitch at a Kansas City Royals game...

Texas Fight - Lyrics to Texas Longhorns fight song

In honor of Texas being ranked #1, Stiles Points offers you the words to their fight song "Texas Fight"...

There is hope for Michigan's Rich Rodriguez

Here was a recent article by Dan Wetzel on Yahoo.com which gives Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez some hope...

Michigan’s struggles likely won’t last
By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports
Oct 14, 6:25 am EDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The first-year coach of the historic national power had that blindsided look on his face. He was trying, fruitlessly, to explain an inexcusable home loss to a weak team from a lesser conference.

You mean Michigan’s Rich Rodriguez after a gut-punch humiliation at the hands of Toledo?

Oh sure, him too.

“About 4 a.m. [Sunday morning] I kept turning over, couldn’t sleep, and my wife Rita said, ‘You know, Nick lost to Louisiana-Monroe last year, and look how that’s changed,’ ” Rodriguez said Monday.

Nick is Nick Saban, who was in the same position a year ago at Alabama as Rodriguez is this week. Saban’s first season remaking an ancient power had descended into a series of distressing losses, one more frustrating than the next. The UL-Monroe defeat was enough to make at least some once-worshipful fans wonder about their head coach.

Saban was so mentally shot he compared the loss to Pearl Harbor and September 11. It was meant as an analogy – an example of how sometimes change requires a shock to the system. Predictably, it went over poorly. Things spun from bad to worse.

Just 11 months later Alabama is 6-0 and ranked No. 2 in the nation. It received 26 first-place votes this week and, by SEC standards, has a favorable schedule from here on out. Saban’s statue outside the stadium is all but ordered.

It’s about the only solace Rodriguez has these days. It’s comforting to think the depths of despair cannot just be forgotten, but celebrated as some kind of necessary step toward greatness.

UL-Monroe wasn’t a negative for Alabama; it was a necessity. Or so legend may one day say.

Saban’s Crimson Tide are merely the most recent example Rita Rodriguez could offer her husband. If Saban can win the BCS championship this season, he’d be the fourth coach this decade alone to do it in just his second season at the helm of a once-underachieving super power (Bob Stoops at Oklahoma, Jim Tressel at Ohio State and Urban Meyer at Florida).

That’s all nice, but in his present mental state, Rich Rodriguez remains mostly unmoved. He’s at No. 3 Penn State this week and plays host to No. 20 Michigan State after that.

“I told Rita, ‘Yeah, that’s true with Nick, but that doesn’t make me feel any better,’ ” Rodriguez said, smiling. “I felt Nick’s pain, but it’s not helping me right now.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gallows humor is all that’s left for the program with the most wins of all time. The Wolverines are 2-4 and in danger of their first losing season since 1967, their first eight-loss season ever and their first bowl-less postseason in 33 years. Veteran athletic department staffers joke about the groundbreaking idea of being home for the holidays.

Michigan has struggled from the start – a combination of a new system (Rodriguez’s spread offense) and new faces (six of 11 starters on offense are in their first year). They’ve been particularly inept at the basics – turnovers, penalties, defensive coverage, etc.

Even so, Michigan never had lost to a team from the Mid-American Conference. This was a chance at a precious victory. Toledo entered the game 1-4 and had given up an average of more than 40 points a game in the losses.

Michigan managed just 10 points. To add insult to injury, UT’s only touchdown was a 100-yard interception return. Then Michigan missed a final-second game-tying kick. UT 13, UM 10.

The question was whether this was worse than last year’s historic, cataclysmic defeat.

“Some of the players were saying, ‘Appalachian State, at least they won three national championships at their division,’ ” offered defensive end Tim Jamison.

The booing from the stands and frustration on the radio shows were predictable. It is one thing to struggle, but this level of futility? Yes, there were heavy personnel losses so it wasn’t like Lloyd Carr would have won a Rose Bowl had he returned for a 14th season. Still, a loss to Toledo?

All the preseason preaching of patience sounded good. Try practicing it, though.

Factor in Rodriguez’s embarrassingly silly off-season contract squabble with West Virginia and a few step-on-the-toes-of-tradition moves, and Year One has been anything but smooth.

“I think it’s fair for everybody to question (my approach),” Rodriguez said. “They’re going to question everything I do. I think they’ve questioned everything I’ve done since I’ve been here, the last eight, nine months. …

“I couldn’t have foreseen this situation. Everybody says, ‘You have to be patient.’ So we’re being patient, but at the same time we want results, too.”

If history is an indicator, those will come quickly. Rodriguez himself won just three games in his first season at West Virginia, back in 2001. The next year he won nine.

Michigan can do even better. There’s a reason these monster programs can reload quickly. The recruiting might, the in-house talent and the institutional commitment can get programs moving rapidly under the proper stewardship.

Rodriguez still is that kind of coach. He’s an innovative offensive mind, a tireless recruiter and a master motivator. He turned West Virginia into a perennial national contender. At age 45, he was one of the hottest young coaches the last few years; he even turned down the Alabama job that eventually went to Saban.

He’s had so much success of late, he has a difficult time remembering when he didn’t.

“You say, ‘Well, I never want to go through this again,’ ” he said.

It’s unlikely he will. You don’t combine one of the best programs and one of the best coaches and not experience success.

As impossible as it is right now to imagine Michigan could be ranked No. 2 next season (not that we’re predicting it), it was just as impossible to dream it in sullen Tuscaloosa last November.

Saban used 2007 the way Rodriguez appears to be using 2008. The Tide finished 7-6, but Saban set the tone within the program, used the setbacks to motivate offseason workouts and spent the rest of the time relentlessly recruiting his kind of players.

It’s the same formula of other big-name coaches. Stoops and Tressel went 7-5 their first seasons and won it all the next. Pete Carroll was 6-6 in his USC debut and has won at least 11 games every season since.

This may be new to Michigan, but it isn’t new to programs just like it.

“As far as building a program, the steps you have to have to have a top-10 program for the future is done,” Rodriguez assured. “It’s just that it’s not showing on the field right now. Eventually it’ll show up in the games, and everyone will be happy.”

With that he smiled weakly and left to go watch game tape. His wife’s middle-of-the-night pep talk had helped, but just a little. All the positive words about the future, about staying the course, is necessary but not enjoyable. One day, he knows, he’ll look back and draw something positive from these dark days.

Right now it’s just a nightmare that keeps him up at four in the morning.

Rich Rodriguez gets failing grade

Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press is critical of Rich Rodriguez's performance as head coach of Michigan... "Rodriguez has done an awful coaching job this season. Michigan is 2-4 and just lost to Toledo, which should never happen. Toledo isn’t just a Mid-American Conference team; it’s a bad MAC team, a much worse outfit than Appalachian State last year." ...

Michael Rosenberg

Luke Fickell to be next head coach at Youngstown State University?

- Look for current Ohio State assistant coach Luke Fickell to be the next head football coach at Youngstown State University...there is a good chance that YSU will be making a coaching change after head man Jon Heacock has had another disappointing year...

- If Fickell is not the choice, there is no doubt that Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel will have a major voice in who will be the next head coach at YSU...

- Don't feel sorry for Heacock if he gets fired, he will just move down I-71 and get a job with his brother, Jim, at Ohio State...

- I was surprised that Clemson canned Tommy Bowden in the middle of the season...he has underachieved as the head man at Clemson...the Tigers had many quality players who have done well in the NFL...

- The Tampa Bay Rays players may be young, but they sure act like veteran ball players...after hitting homers, the players move around the bases and into the dugout like true professionals...

- The Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants all missed a golden opportunity to take hold of the NFC East...but all three lost...especially the Giants and Redskins losing to inferior teams...

- I have no problem with a little bench clearing trash talking during the playoffs...it adds even more excitement to the games...

- It is hard to believe that John Madden is actually 72-years-old...

- The betting service that I deal with has Barack Obama the heavy favorite...as of this weekend, you had to place $40 on Obama to win $10...while you can place $10 on McCain and win $15 if he should pull the upset...

Longhorns move to #1 in new Top 16+1

The latest Stiles Points Top 16+1 (games through 10/11/08)...the Top 16+1 appeared for the first time last week and already there is another new #1...and just as fast as Vanderbilt broke into the rankings, they were banished after a loss to Mississippi State... (note, the second number in parenthesis is the previous week's ranking)...

1. Texas (6-0) (5) - the Longhorns were impressive, but they cannot celebrate too much as Missouri comes to Austin this Saturday...
2. Penn State (7-0) (4) - JoePa retire?...this may be the best team in the country...Youngstown, Ohio native Daryll Clark - photo
3. Alabama (6-0) (2) - the Penn State and Texas wins caused the Tide to slide 1 spot...
4. Southern Cal (6-1) (8) - it looks like the machine is back in order...
5. Oklahoma (5-1) (1) - Sam Bradford was impressive despite the loss - 5 TDs...this is still a very good team...

6. BYU (5-0) (6) - BYU has been playing good ball all year...
7. Florida (5-1) (11) - that Ole Miss loss is now forgotten...the key to this team is Percy Harvin, not Tebow...
8. Georgia (5-1) (10) - the Dawgs took care of business after their Alabama meltdown...
9. Texas Tech (6-0) (9) - TT had to go OT against Nebraska...they don't rise, but they don't either...
10. Oklahoma State (6-0) (16) - Okie State has a real nice team of talented players...

11. Missouri (5-1) (3) - they lost to a good Okie State team, but still it was a disappointment...
12. LSU (4-1) (6) - 51-21!?!?!...what in the name of Gerry DiNardo happened?...
13. Ohio State (6-1) (12) - the Buckeyes looked awful against a poor Purdue team...
14. Kansas (6-1) (14) - the fighting Manginos can make their mark when they roll into Norman to take on the former #1 team...
15. Utah (7-0) (15) - yawn, wake me when they play BYU...
16. Michigan State (6-1) (NR) - Sparty gets Ohio State on Saturday...this is the game that Mark Dantonio needs to win...he must beat his big brother (Tressel)..
+1 North Carolina (5-1) - Butch Davis has turned the Tar Heels around...he may not be a NFL coach, but he is a darn good college coach...

Heisman Four Horsemen
1. Colt McCoy, qb, Texas - he exemplified everything a Heisman winner should be in his win over Oklahoma...
2. Daryll Clark, qb, Penn State - remember when Penn State was trying to get Terrelle Pryor?...who needs Pryor in Happy Valley!!...
3. Sam Bradford, qb, Oklahoma - 5 TDs agains Texas...he played a solid game...
4. Tim Tebow, qb, Florida - just when you thought he was done, T2 comes back with a good game against a tough LSU defense...

Games of the Week
Stiles Points will be previewing the following three games this week:
Kansas @ Oklahoma - Will Bear Mangino (right) be able to put away a deflated Sooners ball club?...
Ohio State @ Michigan State - Big Brother vs. Little Brother - Tressel vs. Dantonio...
Missouri @ Texas - the way things are going, Texas will lose this game...

Other games to keep an eye on:
Michigan @ Penn State - how will the once proud Wolverines react after a humiliating defeat to Toledo?...remember, Michigan has beaten Penn State the last 9 times they faced off...I smell rout!!!...
Pitt @ Navy - the Panthers are starting to gain some momentum, but they cannot take Navy lightly...this is a kind of game Wannstedt always loses...
LSU @ South Carolina - the Tigers need to get regrouped after the beatdown at The Swamp...you can never sleep on a Spurrier team either...
Wake Forest @ Maryland - I smell upset...

Bevo puts a horn to Oklahoma

Below are some recaps of Saturday's college football games...

Texas 45 Oklahoma 35
Clay Horning - Norman Transcript - part of the loss can be blamed on Bob Stoops...

Clay Horning

Kirk Bohls - Austin American Statesman - this was no upset...

Kirk Bohls

Toledo 13 Michigan 10
Joe Vardon - Toledo Blade - Toledo walks away with $500,000 and the W...

Joe Vardon

Drew Sharp - Detroit Free Press - A loss worse than Appalachian State...

Drew Sharp

Florida 51 LSU 21
Randy Rosetta - Baton Rouge Advocate - A stunning beatdown at The Swamp...

Randy Rosetta

Pat Dooley - Gainesville Sun - Percy Harvin gets going...

Pat Dooley

Ohio State 16 Purdue 3
J. Washburn - Lafayette Journal&Courier - Purdue has a lack of talent...

J. Washburn

Bob Hunter - Columbus Dispatch - Buckeyes need a passing game...

Bob Hunter

Oklahoma State 28 Missouri 23
Scott Wright - The Oklahoman - The defense arrives...

Scott Wright

Bryan Burwell - St. Louis Dispatch - One loss does not mean season is loss...

Bryan Burwell

Penn State 48 Wisconsin 7
Jeff Rice - State College Centre Times - The Nittany Lions stressed defense...

Jeff Rice

Tom Oates - Madison Capital Times - It is over for Wisky...

Tom Oates

Other interesting sports stories
William Rhoden - The New York Times - The meltdown of Raider Nation...

William Rhoden

Barru Svrluga - Washington Post - Jim Zorn keeps the Redskins moving...

Barry Svrluga

TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!

This is becoming a common occurence at Michigan Stadium...the Michigan football program has sunk to an all-time low after losing to a 1-win Toledo team 13-10...over the last two years Michigan has allowed Appalachian State, Oregon, Ohio State, Utah, Illinois, and now FUCKING TOLEDO come into the Big House and walk out winners!!!...

Texas-Oklahoma: the battle between Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford

#5 Texas vs. #1 Oklahoma
Saturday, October 11, 2008 - Noon (EST) ABC Sports
Cotton Bowl - Dallas, Texas
Oklahoma -7.5

Summary
The seats are divided in half at the 50-yard-line...half of the Cotton Bowl goes to Oklahoma fans and thier crimson shirts while the other half goes to Texas fans and their burnt orange shirts...it is one of the great rivalries in sports...this year's game is being played at a $50 million renovated Cotton Bowl...the seating capacity was raised from 76,000 to 92,000 which will probably produce the largest crowd to see this match-up...yep, this time, there is a lot riding on this game...

So far this decade, OU has won six of the eight games including last season's 28-21 game...this will mark the first time that both teams are ranked in the top 10 for the big game since 2004 when #2 Oklahoma shutout #5 Texas 12-0...after this game is settled both teams have tough matches next week as Texas hosts Missouri and Oklahoma hosts Kansas...

As for this game, most of the talk this week has been about the top-ranked Sooners...but quietly, Texas has been a force...the Longhorns are ranked 12th nationally in total offense with 472 yards/game and sixth in scoring offense with 47.2/game...junior QB is having a Heisman-like season as he has tossed 16 TDs and only 3 INTs...McCoy also leads the team in rushing with 317 yards and four TDs...Quan Crosby and Jordan Shipley are his favorite targets as they have combined for 56 catches and 10 TDs...

The Texas defense is a bit unbalanced...they have the third best rush defense in giving up 51.80 yards/game but they are ranked 96 in pass defense by giving up 244 yards/game...despite the weakness in pass defense, Texas is ranked fourth overall in scoring defense by giving up only 11.40 points per game...the Longhorns defense has held its opponents to 14 points or less for the first five games for the first time since 1991...they have not given up a TD in th first quarter this year either...the Horns lead the nation in sacks per game...

The offense that Texas will try to contain will be led by QB Sam Bradford...Bradford has tossed 18 TDs and 3 INTs...unlike McCoy, Bradford does not run...the OU running attack is led by DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown who have combined for over 700 yards and 10 TDs...Bradford has two veterans receivers in Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson...

The Sooner defense is just as stout at Texas...they are third in the nation in sacks per game and are led by Keenan Clayton and Auston English...overall, they are ranked 11th in the nation in defense and 15th in scoring defense...

General stories
Jake Trotter of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes about the rennovated Cotton Bowl... "The Cotton Bowl provides one of the distinct settings in college football, with the stadium surrounded by the Texas state fair and the cheering section divided down the 50-yard line." ...

Jake Trotter

Ivan Maisel of ESPN breaks down the game...

Ivan Maisel

College Football News gives its take on the game...

College Football News

The Houston Chronicle provides a nice series of photos of past Texas-Oklahoma games...

Red River Photos

What the "experts" say...
The Gold Sheet - Oklahoma 35-22
Pointwise - Oklahoma 31-20

Texas Longhorns (5-0) - Head Coach Mack Brown
Here are the Longhorns Game Notes for the Oklahoma game...

Texas Game Notes

For more information about the Longhorns, check out the Burnt Orange National blog...

Burnt Orange Nation

Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman writes about Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and how he was hired for this game... "By now, everyone in college football realizes that the emotional, 37-year-old whiz kid from Georgia has transformed the defense on a Texas team that Howard Schnellenberger labeled softer than Oprah's heart into a band of fire-breathing mercenaries." ...

Kirk Bohls

Ivan Maisel from ESPN writes about the maturation of Colt McCoy... "The Texas quarterback is not concerned about whether his teammates believe in him. They have seen him become not only one of the leading passers in the nation, but also the leading rusher on their team. They have seen the way he took on two Rice defenders at the goal line and knocked them both out of the way to score a touchdown." ...

Ivan Maisel

Kevin Robbins of the Austin American-Statesman writes how this may be the biggest game in the long history between the two schools... "As they have for 102 previous games, one side will wear red Saturday. The other, orange. It won't be just the University of Texas versus the University of Oklahoma. It'll be Texas against Oklahoma. Period. But this year, it's even more." ...

Kevin Robbins

Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News writes how Texas has not been in the spotlight this season.. "It's hard to imagine Texas football flying under the national radar, especially when the Longhorns are 5-0 and ranked fifth in this week's AP and coaches polls." ...

Dick Weiss

Oklahoma Sooners (5-0) - Head Coach Bob Stoops
Here are the Sooners Game Notes for the Texas game...

Oklahoma Game Notes

For more information about the Sooners, check out the Crimson and Cream blog...

Crimson and Cream

Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes how Youngstown, Ohio native Bob Stoops has been a force since being named coach at OU... "After beating Texas six times in nine years, Stoops' winning percentage against the Longhorns is better than Barry Switzer's, better than Bud Wilkinson's and, well, quite a bit better than his immediate predecessors." ...

Tim Cowlishaw

John Shinn of the Norman Transcript writes how the Sooners secondary has blossomed this year... "Oklahoma’s Red Room has about 80 seats, but the middle 16 in the front are where the defensive backs sit to watch film. The starting four sit in the front followed by the second, third and fourth teams. The depth chart is always adhered to." ...

John Shinn

John Shinn of the Norman Transcript writes how the intense rivalry has not bothered the coaches... "Former Texas coach Darrell Royal has never spoken about former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer in high regard and has tried to avoid the subject over the last four decades." ...

John Shinn

LSU-Florida Preview: Will Tebow get KO'ed

#5 LSU @ #11 Florida
Saturday, October 11 - 8:00 (EST) - CBS
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - The Swamp
Gainesville, Florida
Florida -4.5

Summary
Last year's game was a classic...Les Miles had no fear of fourth down as he made grapefruit call after another...Jacob Hester (photo, right) was a beast in that game as LSU won 28-24...

This year's game is just as big...this will be the 10th time ever that the last two national champions will meet the year after they both won it...the last time was in 1990 when Notre Dame beat Miami 29-20 in South Bend...

Another loss by Florida will kill any hope of trying for another national title...LSU still has a strong chance to defend their BCS title as they roll in with a perfect record...this will be the 55th meeting between the schools with the Gators holding a 28-23-3 edge...LSU has won three of the last four meetings...

LSU found a hammer of a running back in Charles Scott who has rushed for 540 yards and eight TDs...the Tigers have also settled on freshman Jarrett Lee to quarterback the team...Lee had an impressive second half at Auburn a few weeks back...he has thrown six TDs and three INTs...his two favorite targets are Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd...the defense is anchored by D-linemen Tyson Jackson and Ricky Jean-Francois... the Tigers have outscored their opponents 37-3 in the first quarter this season...however, in the fouth quarter, the Tigers have been outscored in SEC play 27-23...

Florida is all about Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow...despite the image of this high powered offense, the Gators are ranked 47th nationally in total offense with 390 yards/game...however, when they do get in the redzone, they have scored 17 of their 18 trips...speedster Percy Harvin has not been 100% all year...the Gators are tied for fourth win the best scoring defense (11.4/game)...Florida has socred on 17 of 18 trips inside the redzone...

An interesting sidenote, Florida is 3-11-2 when playing against a defending national title winner...their last win against a champ came in 1999 over Tennessee...

What the "experts" say...
Gold Sheet - Florida 30-16
Pointwise - Florida 22-20

LSU Tigers (4-0) - Head Coach Les Miles
Here is the LSU Game Notes for the Florida game...

LSU Tigers Game Notes

For more information about LSU, check out the And the Valley Shook Blog...

And the Valley Shook

James Varney of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes how the Gators have no seniors on defense - which might favor LSU... "The Florida depth chart shows not one senior among the starting 11 defenders. Could that be an area LSU might exploit?" ...

James Varney

Varney writes how Ricky Jean-Francois has cooled his comments about taking out Tim Tebow even though most other SEC teams want to do the same... "Opponents stenciled a target on Tebow's No. 15 jersey even before last year when he became the first sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy. The big, dual-threat quarterback who almost single-handedly beat LSU last year at Tiger Stadium (LSU won 28-24) has, perhaps even more than most quarterbacks, been a topic of conversation among defenders throughout the Southeastern Conference." ...

James Varney

James Kleinpeter of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes how LSU freshman QB Jarrett is ready to handle the noise of The Swamp... "But it was outside the practice field where Lee may have done his best conditioning. His performance in relief of injured starter Andrew Hatch at Auburn was the best preparation for what Lee will face at The Swamp." ...

James Kleinpeter

Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes how LSU head coach Les Miles does not have a problem with a QB getting hit... "“The idea that he would hit him and hit him hard is something every quarterback in this league — our quarterback — will have to deal with." ...

Randy Rosetta

George Morris of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes how LSU is going to defend the hard running QB of Florida... "But Alem recognizes they’ll have to do it even better this week at Florida, where Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow is the centerpiece of an offense that leads the SEC in scoring (36.0 points per game)." ...

George Morris

Florida Gators (4-1) - Head Coach Urban Meyer
Here are the Florida Game Notes for the LSU game...

Florida Gators Game Notes

For more information about Florida, check out the Alligator Army blog...

Alligator Army

Mick Elliott of the Tampa Tribune writes how Florida may have the home field, but LSU may have the horses... "The undefeated LSU Tigers - 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference - are defending national champions, ranked No. 4 in the nation and, coming off an open date, are at full strength for Saturday night's game against the Florida Gators." ...

Mick Elliott

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes how Gator fans have been spoiled of late... "The reason I bring this up is because of all the conversation and consternation about Florida's offense and quarterback Tim Tebow in the aftermath of Saturday's embarrassing, humiliating 31-point, um, victory over Arkansas." ...

Mike Bianchi

Robbie Andreau of the Gainesville Sun writes how the Gators may have to make a play on special teams if it wants to win over LSU... "Two years ago in The Swamp, the Gators conducted a special-teams clinic that was the difference in UF's 23-10 win on the way to winning the national championship." ...

Robbie Andreau

Andreau writes about the LSU-Florida game, is it a rivalry or just another good game?... "Florida and LSU have a long history, dating all the way back to 1937. The two schools have played every season since 1971 and LSU is UF’s permanent partner from the Western Division. The series has featured many memorable games and moments, but is Florida-LSU a rivalry or just a big game?"...

Robbie Andreau

Antonya English of the St. Petersburg Times writes how the Gators run defense could have a problem... "In his weekly preparation for the Gators' upcoming opponent, coach Urban Meyer always includes playing great defense as an integral part of the plan. In a 38-7 win over Arkansas last weekend, Meyer said it was simply "good, but not great." This week, the Gators will need as close to great as possible." ...

Antonya English

Jim Brown compares Barack Obama to Ernie Davis

In this clip, the legendary Jim Brown talks about Ernie Davis...at around the 1:09 mark, Brown compares Barack Obama to Ernie Davis....

Jim Brown

Chris Fowler is excited about the Texas-Oklahoma game

ESPN's Chris Fowler gives his thoughts about the Texas-Oklahoma and LSU-Florida games... "I never use this space to promote "GameDay," but this game I am pretty excited about. The QB duel is pretty compelling, of course. I just think Sam Bradford has a better offensive line and better running backs to work with, and Colt McCoy will be facing a much better pass defense. Oklahoma looks like a clear favorite." ...

Chris Fowler

Chase Daniel faces another high powered offense as Okie State comes to The Zou

#17 Oklahoma State Cowboys @ #2 Missouri Tigers
Saturday, October 11th - 8:00 EST - ESPN2
Faurot Field - Columbia, Missouri
Missouri -13.5

Summary
This game pits two of the most high powered offenses in the land...Mizzou (569 yards per game) is ranked 3rd nationally while Okie State (530/game) is 6th...the Cowboys have scored 50 points or more 4 consecutive games..both teams also hold onto the ball as Mizzou has turned it over just 5 times this year while Okie State has done it 6 times...

The Cowboys have won only 3 of the last 11 contests with Missouri...this is the first time they meet since 2005 when the Tigers won 38-31...the Cowboys high powered offense starts with QB Zac Robinson who has thrown 10 TD to just 3 INTs...9 of those 10 TDs has gone to his favorite target in Dez Bryant...with such a high powered offense, many may think it is all passing...but that is not the case as OSU averages 215 yards through the air and 315 on the ground...the ground attack is led by Kendall Hunter (5'8" sophomore) who has 738 yards and 8 rushing TDS...the Cowboys rush defense is also underrated as they have allowed only 4 rushing TDs all year but have given up 11TDs through the air...keep an eye on #91, sophomore, DE Ugo Chinasa who has the talent to be a force at the next level...

The Tigers are led by Heisman candidate QB Chase Daniel who has a 25-7 mark as starting QB...as the conductor of the spread offense, Daniel has thrown 15 TDs to only 1 INT...he spreads the wealth around to his plethora of receivers, Chase Coffman, Tommy Saunders, and the ever dangerous Jeremy Maclin, a 6'1" sophomore...the running game is led by Derrick Washington who leads the nation in scoring...like Okie State, the Tigers have a strong run defense, allowing only 1 TD all year...but they are weak at pass defense allowing 10 TDs...

Over the last three games, Missouri punter Jake Harry has punted just twice...since 2003, Mizzou is 28-6 at "The Zou" (aka Faurot Field)...if recent history is any indicator, look for the game to be close as all but one of the 6 previous games have been decided by 7 points or less, and 3 of them have gone to OT...

Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0) - head coach Mike Gundy
Here is the Oklahoma State Game Notes for the Missouri game...

Oklahoma State Game Notes

Ryan Steele of the Stillwater News Press writes about Okie State's big game on Saturday... "Oklahoma State’s defense had one of its best outings of the season Saturday. Now comes the real test." ...

Ryan Steele

Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes about Okie State's unknown stud on defense Ugo Chinasa... "He is also an unknown. That won’t be the case much longer if the Oklahoma State defensive end continues playing like he did Saturday against Texas A&M. Chinasa had the game of his life in less than a quarter." ...

Jenni Carlson

Vahe Gregorian of the St. Louis Dispatch writes about Okie State's flashy wideout Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter... "Primed by that duo, OSU (5-0) is the only team in the Big 12 averaging more than 200 yards a game both on the ground and through the air and equipped to help create another memorable clash between two schools that are among just 15 undefeated teams." ...

Vahe Gregorian

Tim Griffin of ESPN Blog Nation writes about Okie State's under-rated defense... "The Cowboys' improved defensive work has been one of the biggest surprises in OSU's 5-0 start that's its best since 2004. The OSU defense went into a feeding frenzy in its 56-28 victory over Texas A&M, providing five first-half turnovers and three three-and-outs to spark the early knockout." ...

Tim Griffin

Missouri Tigers (5-0) - head coach Gary Pinkel
Here are the Missouri Game Notes for the Oklahoma State game...

Missouri Game Notes

Dan Angell of the Columbia Missourian writes there are few similarities between Okie State and Mizzou... "Maclin's insistence that the two offenses are different is understandable, because Oklahoma State's style of the spread offense is different from Missouri's. While the Tigers are a pass-first team that can also win with the run, the Cowboys are more of a run-first team that can also win with the pass." ...

Dan Angell

Bryan Burwell, columnist for the St. Louis Post Dispatch writes about the high expectations in Columbia... "But it's different now. The undefeated Tigers (5-0) are, depending on your poll preferences, either the No. 2 or No. 3 team in the country. And the subtle difference between last season's sudden rise to prominence and this season's climb to No. 2 is this: Great expectations." ...

Bryan Burwell

Tim Griffin of ESPN Blog Nation writes about Missouri running back Derrick Washington who leads the nation in touchdown... "The bruising 215-pound Washington is a tough between-the-tackles runner as evidenced by his current status as the nation's leading scorer. But he's also a versatile receiver with soft hands and enough speed to streak by most linebackers on pass patterns." ...

Tim Griffin

Dom Rosselli: A coaching legend and a good person

The name Dom Rosselli may not ring a bell to many sports folks, but to those in the Mahoning Valley of Youngstown, Ohio and true sports historians, Rosselli was a coaching legend...he served as head basketball and baseball coach at Youngstown State University and combined to win over 1,000 games...he coached former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Dave Dravecky...

On a personal note, back in 1990, I had the opportunity to interview Rosselli when I was the sports editor of the school newspaper, The Jambar...Rosselli was probably the most pleasant interview I ever conducted...he was not some cranky, old person who was mad at the world...at that time he was 75-years-old and for two hours he told some great stories and fed me pizza...

I can remember him saying that he only did 1 resume in his lifetime, and it was for a job at YSU...he said he was fortunate to have a good job at a place like YSU, so he had no reason to leave...

Rosselli always wanted to help people...just a few years ago our paths crossed again...he was looking to help someone who was less fortunate...the person needed a new toilet and he was wanting to know if there was anyone who could do it for free...he said he would have done it himself if he was just a few years younger...

Rosselli was a good-soul...they don't make them like Dom Rosselli anymore...I can say it was an honor to know him...he was a truly nice man who got up every Friday and made pizzas at St. Anthony's...this year, the pizzas at St. A's will not be the same...

God Bless Dom Rosselli...

Below is the official release from the YSU Athletic Department...

The Youngstown State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former men's basketball and baseball head coach Dom Rosselli, who died at the age of 93 Tuesday morning, Oct. 7, 2008.

The school's winningest basketball and baseball coach, Rosselli guided Youngstown State's basketball and baseball teams for 38 and 31 years, respectively. Rosselli accumulated more than 1,000 career victories for the Red and White. He also served as an assistant football coach for 21 seasons.

“Dom Rosselli was one of the true champions of YSU, not only on the basketball court, the baseball diamond and the football field, but across the university and the Mahoning Valley," YSU President Dr. David Sweet said. "Though he was small in stature, he was a giant in YSU athletics and a role model for us all – students, faculty and staff. His enthusiasm for the university was relentless. His contributions to the university were innumerable. And his memory will live forever. My most heartfelt sympathies go to his family. He will be missed.”

"Coach Rosselli's sense of humor and unmatched love for YSU will be greatly missed," Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo said. "The thoughts of the entire YSU athletics department are with the Rosselli family.

"An amazing number of former student-athletes had stayed in contact with him through the years, which is a testament of the true character of Coach Rosselli."

Born March 19, 1915, in Youngstown, Ohio, Rosselli was a fixture on the basketball bench from 1940 to 1982. He nurtured a program from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to NCAA Division II and then to Division I. He was also instrumental in Youngstown State's rise as an independent to conference play, first in the original Mid-Continent Conference on the Division II level and the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I.

In his 38 years, Rosselli compiled a career record of 589-388 for a .604 winning percentage. He led his teams to eight 20-win seasons, including a 24-3 mark with an .889 winning percentage in 1963-64. Both are still school records for most wins and highest winning percentage in a season.

During the 1956-57 season, Rosselli guided the Penguins to a 23-4 mark and an appearance in the NAIA Quarterfinals as the Penguins lost to Southeastern Oklahoma, 69-65. The following season Youngstown State finished 23-7 and advanced to the third round of the NAIA National Tournament before losing to Western Illinois, 70-67. For the third time in as many seasons, Rosselli and the Penguins made an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament after a 19-9 mark in 1958-59. YSU defeated Baldwin Wallace, 97-77, in the championship game of the NAIA Ohio District and Northern (S.D.) State, 85-76, in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament. In the second round, the Penguins lost to Tennessee A&I State, 89-80.

He coached the Penguins for two seasons before World War II duty as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force took him off the court and overseas.

Upon his return from the war, Rosselli was very involved in YSU athletics. Rosselli resumed full-time duty on the basketball court as soon as he returned.

He was an assistant coach on the football team before the war, and when he came home in 1946, he remained at his assistant’s position until 1963. He created the Penguin baseball program and was the coach from 1948-50 until it was discontinued. In 1958, he resurrected the Penguin baseball team and for the next 28 years was a fixture in the dugout.

In the spring of 1948, Rosselli became the first baseball coach in Youngstown State history and accumulated a 31-year career record of 489-316-1 for a .607 winning percentage. In 1958 and Rosselli led the Penguins to an 11-6 record and the NAIA District 22 championship. YSU repeated as district champions in 1959 with a 10-6 mark. In 1964 and 1966, YSU appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

From 1969 to 1977, Rosselli led the Penguins to nine consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 26-8 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Regionals in 1977. During that nine-year span, the Penguins amassed a record of 199-101 for a winning percentage of .663. In 1979, Rosselli recorded his 10th 20-win season with a 21-5 mark and collected his 11th and final 20-win campaign in 1982 with a 23-14 record.
Rosselli guided former major league pitcher and YSU Hall of Famer Dave Dravecky to a four-year career record of 21-7, including a 7-1 mark in 1977, and a career earned run average of 1.85.

His winning coaching ledger is a distant second to the person known as "Coach", someone who ate and slept Youngstown State athletics and always had time for anyone who requested to meet with him.

A graduate of Rayen High School, Rosselli attended Geneva College and started in three sports. Rosselli led Geneva to a football victory over Youngstown College in 1938, YSU's first season of football. Upon graduation in 1939, Rosselli earned a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and began his well-documented coaching career at Youngstown State. He began as an assistant football coach to the legendary late Dwight “Dike” Beede and assistant basketball coach to Ray Sweeney before taking over the reigns of the cage program in 1940-41.

His many coaching honors include the NCAA’s District IV Coach of the Year, Ohio’s College Coach of the Year, both in 1957 and 1964, and the Italian Coach of the Year.
Rosselli was named to the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame in 1978 and was named to the charter class of the Youngstown State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also named the Penguin of the Year in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, four children and several grandchildren.

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