Tips for Saturday's Games

A look inside the number.....every week I pick up some sports tip sheet....this week it was Point Wise....here are their top plays in college football this week....
Best Play 1 - Arizona State over Colorado by 27 points - jump on the Erickson bandwagon
Best Play 2 - Michigan State over Bowling Green by 31 - BG upset Minnesota last week, but they will not take down another Big 10 team.....

Here are their calls on Saturday’s big games....
- Nebraska over Wake Forest 35-18
- Oklahoma over Miami 31-13
- Ohio State over Akron 38-10
- Alabama over Vanderbilt 27-24 - a close one here!!
- Boston College over N.C. State 27-20
- Michigan over Oregon 38-27
- Georgia over South Carolina 27-25
- Penn State over Notre Dame 34-10
- UCLA over BYU 34-24
- Texas over TCU 26-20
- Auburn over S. Florida 24-22
- LSU over Va. Tech 23-17

Here are some updated articles about two other big games this week....
TCU at Texas
Fort Worth Star sports columnist Gil Lebreton writes that Texas better not underestimate the Horned Frogs of TCU..... “You don't have to remind TCU of the evils of NCAA football profiling. The storyline of this week, however, is going to be whether the proud Texas Longhorns have learned the same.” ....

Gil Lebreton

Austin American-Statesman sports columnist Cedric Golden writes how Longhorns fans better get used to close games this year..... “Can you remember the last time the Longhorns worked an opponent like a part-time job? The last time a team left Royal-Memorial Stadium with its psyche crushed like a stray grape during rush hour on Interstate 35?” ....

Cedric Golden

North Carolina State at Boston College
Raleigh News and Observer reporter Chip Alexander writes how new N.C. State and former Boston College head coach Tom O’Brien has a lot going on this week - especially after a season opening loss...... “O'Brien, ever the old Marine, insists he's not the sentimental type. Yet he realizes this week's game will be different. He spent the past 10 years at Boston College, building a program from the ruins, teaching players to be men, winning games, going to bowls, making so many close friends.” .....

Chip Alexander

Boston Herald reporter Steve Conroy writes about Tom O’Brien’s return to the Northeast.... “Tom O’Brien made it clear that he’s a lot more concerned with his struggling North Carolina State team than what his emotions will be like when he returns to Alumni Stadium on Saturday.” ....

Steve Conroy

Articles on this week's college games

Oregon at Michigan
The Portland Oregonian reporter John Hunt writes that Oregon feels they have a favorable match-up with Michigan, but are concerning how the Wolverines will react from their disastrous loss.... “And over here in Oregon, the Ducks enter Michigan week with a sense that they not only belong in college football's Big House but also that they match up pretty well against the Wolverines.” ....

John Hunt

Detroit Free Press reporter Shannon Shelton writes how Michigan’s historic debacle was the talk of the Big Ten.... “Around the Big Ten, coaches are talking about the lessons their teams can take from the Wolverines' loss to the Division I-AA Mountaineers. They are talking about the importance of preparation, a respect for the talent level of every opponent and recognition of the growing parity in the sport's top two classifications.” ....

Shannon Shelton

Miami (Fla) at Oklahoma
Miami Herald reporter Susan Miller Degnan writes about the good old times between The U and Oklahoma..... “The day was Sept. 27, 1986, and Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer was through with the Miami Hurricanes -- or so he thought.” ....

Susan Miller Degnan

Norman Transcript reporter Clay Horning writes how Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops thinks he has a special group of players..... “There’s just something about this bunch of Sooners. Something about how even the second and third teamers came into a game long since decided the other night and still played with focus, intensity and, virtually, mistake free.” .....

Clay Horning

Notre Dame at Penn State
Notre Dame beat writer Eric Hansen of the South Bend Tribune writes that the Golden Boy - Jimmy Clausen - has the job as starting quarterback..... “Allegedly all the gray areas concerning the quarterback position -- a constant since Brady Quinn exhausted his college eligibility on Jan. 3 -- are gone now.” ....

Eric Hansen

State College Centre Times reporter Jeff Rice writes how the Penn State defense remembers how they were manhandled last year in South Bend.... “It was the only game of 2006, the only game since 2004, really, in which the Penn State defense was the bug, not the windshield.” ....

Jeff Rice

South Carolina at Georgia
Columbia State reporter Joseph Person writes how the Ole Ball Coach is going to make some changes to his starting lineup..... “As he discussed his team’s warts and other unpleasantries, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier several times reminded reporters — and himself — the Gamecocks won their season opener. After all, things could be worse for Spurrier. He could be Lloyd Carr.” .....

Joseph Person

Atlanta Journal Constitution reporter Jeff D’Alessio writes how people love to loathe Steve Spurrier.... “But if you think UGA fans loathe "Darth Visor" any less now that he's running a less-threatening SEC East program, you're nuts. "The Old Ball Coach" is still public enemy No. 1, as our survey of Bulldogs fans showed.” ....

Jeff D’Alessio

Interview with Scott Rabalais of the Baton Rouge Advocate

On Thursday, August 30th, I had the opportunity to interview Scott Rabalais of the Baton Rouge Advocate....Scott is the beat writer for LSU football and was on his way to Starkville, Mississippi to cover the LSU-Mississippi State game.....our interview focused on LSU football, Tigers head coach Les Miles, and the return of Nick Saban to the SEC.....

Q1. A lot of the preview magazines have LSU ranked either second or third in the nation with their strengths being defense and offensive line. However, they did lose these skill position players, JaMarcus Russell, Craig Davis, and Dwayne Bowe. What do you think about LSU and how are they are going to replace those players?
SR: I think the rankings are justified. Everyone has USC number one, but the teams behind them all have some type of questions. LSU just has so much back on defense which is a lot of the reason for the ranking. But they do have some question marks on offense. Everyone wants to see how (Matt) Flynn performs at quarterback and who takes over the running back position. LSU is also benefitting from a "what have you done for me lately." Well, the last thing they did was finish with a six/seven game winning streak and polished off Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

Q2. Matt Flynn (photo) will be the starter at quarterback this year. However, what is the deal with Ryan Perrilloux. He was so highly recruited coming out of high school but he has never become that star like he was supposed to be.
SR: There is a lot there with him. He was questioned about a federal counterfeiting investigation. He was not charged or accused, but his name came up. He was then suspended for using his brother's driver's license to go on a riverboat casino. He is now back on the team and looks to be the number two quarterback. We just have not seen much of what he supposedly can do. The people who saw him play in high school said he is one of those unique talents - running and throwing. He needs to use better judgement because Ryan has put himself into some bad situations. With all that being said, if he keeps his nose clean, he will probably be the starting quarterback next year. He has a little growing up to do between now and then. I don't think anyone's ever questioned his ability, but they have questioned his judgement and leadership ability.

Q3. Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has received so much praise in the preview magazines. Is he the real deal? Can he play at the next level?
SR: He is continuing that streak at LSU where at least one defensive lineman has been named to the All-American team. There is also Tyson Jackson who is a defensive end who may be even better than Dorsey. These two players (Dorsey and Jackson) remind me of the two dominant Alabama lineman, (John) Copeland and (Eric) Curry, back in the early 1990s when they won the national title. It seems like this could be a similar team for LSU in which they get it done on defense but not hurt yourself on offense.

Glenn though is a good kid to talk to. He is very humble. Often times he can't believe that everyone is talking about him for all these awards. He deserves to be an All-American. I think he will have the desire and ability to make it in the NFL even more so than some of the other defensive linemen who have come through LSU. He played through a lot of pain last year with something like a small fracture in his shin. No one really knew about it though because he played through the pain and didn't complain. He has the drive to make it in the NFL.

Q4. I want to talk a bit about head coach Les Miles. There has been talk across the nation that LSU fans are waiting for that big win under Miles. What is the attitude and feeling about Miles?
SR: Well a lot of the attitudes changed on January 3rd when Nick Saban took the Alabama job. Until then, a lot of the LSU fans were still pining for Saban. And some still are. They are hoping that "maybe he will come back." But for the most part, LSU fans now realize that Nick is now the enemy. He is trying to beat LSU and trying to take their recruits. So now the feeling is that "Les is our guy." Despite all the success over the last few years, anything less than a 10 win season is not acceptable. But a lot of people still say that Les has been winning with Nick's players. But they forget that Nick's first SEC championship came with players like Rohan Davey and Josh Reed who were recruits from Gerry DiNardo. Les is starting to get his due, but there are people who feel that if Lloyd Carr leaves Michigan after this season and Les gets the job, the feeling will be "well, thanks Les and good luck, but we can get someone better." But the guy has done well. He is not flashy. Is he as good of a coach as Saban, no, but he has probably a better staff around him and he has recruited well.

Q5. What type of person is Les Miles?
SR: He's very passionate. He's generally laid back and easy going. He does not do a lot of yelling and screaming ala Nick Saban. But he is driven in his own way. He is more humble, more unassuming. He is kind of vague with his quotes. What you see is what you get with Les. He is a blue-collar Midwestern guy. He's an Ohio native and Michigan grad. He's making around $1.8 million this year, which is not bad, but he is not making the $4 million that Saban is making. From a journalist's standpoint, he (Les) is not always forthcoming with information or injury updates. But he is genuine. Saban comes off more slick, polished, and prepared, but not really interested in you. Every year the LSU football coach speaks at the local Rotary Club before the season. Saban is the type of guy who looks over the top of the audience and not make eye contact; Miles is the type who does make eye contact and acknowledge people in the audience. Some may feel that Saban's way is the way a coach should be, but you can't argue with the numbers that Les has put up so far.

Q6. LSU lost their offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher (photo) to Florida State. Do you believe that Fisher will become a head coach one day?
SR: I think that is part of the reason he left LSU. Another reason he left is that Miles and his (Fisher) philosophy never meshed. I think Miles was asked to keep Jimbo around as part of taking the job. Jimbo was well liked by the players and he was a good recruiter. But I think he also left to broaden his resume and possibly take over for Bobby Bowden. I don't know if he has a shot of getting the job at Florida State when Bowden steps down, but it is a possibility.

He (Fisher) is very Bowden-like. He coached under Terry Bowden at Auburn. He's very fast delivery and has that little drawl. He is very engaging and has that personality that people like. But yeh, I could see him being a head coach. He is in his early 40s. Is it going to be Florida State? I don't know. He has turned down a couple of smaller jobs. So he may be waiting for a big job ala Mark Richt at Georgia.

Q7. I have to finally ask you about Nick Saban. What was the feeling down in Baton Rouge after he became the head coach at Alabama?
SR: LSU fans felt betrayed. People understood, they weren't happy, but they understood when left to go coach the Miami Dolphins. Everyone knew that he would probably leave one day for an NFL job. He had to give it a try at that level and he found out that is not what he wanted. LSu fans would not have cared if he took, say the North Carolina job or another job. But Nick just did not come back to college football. He came back to an SEC school in the same division.

They loved him so much at LSU that it is like a jilted lover syndrome. But he went to where the best opportunity that was available and he is getting paid $4 million a year. The LSU fans still respect his coaching ability, but they would like nothing more than to beat Alabama on November 3rd. That will be a must win for Les Miles and LSU. Let me say this, if Les left, would the LSU fans like to see Nick come back - yes. But for now, they hate his guts.

Q8. How do you think Saban will do at Alabama?
SR: I don't think he will be at Alabama that long. I think if another job opens up, say Joe Paterno retires at Penn State, he may go there. I think Nick has one more move in him. Alabama is a school that gets a lot of in-state players and have real good facilities. I think the fans there will drive him crazy. It is even more rabid in Tuscaloosa than it was at LSU. Plus Auburn is not just going to roll over and go away. It's kind of funny that Nick left a similar situation at Michigan State to come to LSU. At Michigan State, he had to battle with Michigan for in-state talent. At LSU, he did not have that in-state rivalry like he does not with Auburn. He can succeed at Alabama. I could see him win an SEC championship or two then be on his way somewhere else. Alabama fans got to get used to the idea that one day he will leave there for another job.

Q9. In a few years from now, Michigan has a two year opening where they do not play Notre Dame. It is being reported that Michigan athletic director Bill Martin wants to schedule a home-and-home with a big named football program, especially from the SEC. Have you heard anything about this?
SR: Reportedly LSU has been talking to Penn State. They have also talked with Notre Dame to play a home-and-home again. I get the impression that Miles would not want to play Michigan if he is still at LSU. LSU is looking to play at least one quality non-conference BCS opponent every year. From an LSU perspective, Michigan is one of the very few programs that LSU has never played in football. They played Penn State once in a bowl game and they had a home-and-home with Ohio State in the late 1980s. I think it would be great to play Michigan.

Once again, I would like to thank Scott for his time.....it is much appreciated.....

Early Lines

Early line for Saturday, September 8 games

Oregon
Michigan -8

South Carolina
Georgia - 5.5

Notre Dame
Penn State - 17

Akron
Ohio State - 29

Virginia Tech
LSU - 14

Miami (Fla)
Oklahoma - 11

Sunday Baker's Dozen - Sunday, September 2, 2007

ESPN's Mark Schlabach was in Boone, North Carolina and wrote about the celebration that took place after Appalachian State beat Michigan..... "Shortly after Appalachian State pulled off perhaps the biggest upset in modern college football history by winning at Michigan on Saturday, the goalpost came crashing down. More than 600 miles away. In Appalachian State's own stadium." .....

Mark Schlabach

Winston-Salem Journal sports reporter Tommy Bowman writes how blocking kicks is an emphasis with Appalachian State.... "A few days into Appalachian State's preseason football camp, Coach Jerry Moore made a point to single out Corey Lynch and a field-goal attempt he blocked in a practice session." .....

Tommy Bowman

Detroit Free Press sports columnist Drew Sharp gets right to the point - a change is needed in Ann Arbor.... "If Lloyd Carr wasn't seriously thinking about retirement following this season, he should start now. There's no justification for a debacle of such historic proportions. This was bad coaching. It was bad preparation. It was bad reaction." .....

Drew Sharp

Detroit Free Press sports columnist Michael Rosenberg writes about the shock of losing to Appalachian State.... "Michigan players, fans and alumni all face the same "dastardly fate," as announcer Bob Ufer used to say. Wherever they go, whatever they do, people will say: You lost to Appalachian State!" ....

Michael Rosenberg

Howie Beardsley of the Grand Rapids Press writes how Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English has problem.... "Throughout Michigan's preseason camp, Wolverine defensive coordinator Ron English confidently talked fans off ledges while telling them his young and inexperienced defense would be just fine. "I don't have any concerns," English said. He sure does now." ...

Howie Beardsley

Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti writes about the Notre Dame's "thring ring circus" at quarterback.... "They didn't hire him, in the cradle of football and Catholicism, to be embarrassed 33-3 by Georgia Tech. They didn't hire him to trot out a three-ring quarterback circus that was so inept, it might require Weis to denounce his relationship with Tom Brady. They didn't hire him to lose the most lopsided season opener in Notre Dame history, dating back to the 19th century, when even Frank E. Hering kept matters close in a 4-0 loss to Chicago Physicians & Surgeons." ....

Baseball Archives

South Bend Tribune sports columnist Jeff Carroll writes that Notre Dame fans must accept this is a rebuilding year for the Irish.... "This is essentially a new team, built around new players, a new defensive system. As much as we've been told this isn't a rebuilding year, Saturday's result was an indication that that is precisely what this is." ....

Jeff Carroll

Los Angeles Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke writes about Southern Cal's deep, deep running game... "The ballyhooed USC running back pool -- deep and roiling and a big reason for the Trojans' No. 1 ranking -- spilled on to a field for the first time Saturday in the Trojans' 38-10 victory over Idaho." ....

Bill Plaschke

Gainesville Sun reporter Robbie Andreu writes how the defending champion Florida Gators rolled to win number 1.... "Ever since his arrival in Gainesville, Urban Meyer has been adamant that there is no Urban Meyer offense. The offense is what it is, he's said, designed to fit the talent of his players and different from year to year, team to team." .....

Robbie Andreu

Columbus Dispatch college football reporter Bob Hunter writes that Ohio State may be in good hands with new quarterback Todd Boeckman.... "It seems ingenious. Barton, the offensive tackle who was making his 30th start, could serve as the voice of reason. He could calm Boeckman down, tell him what to expect, give him a little primer on OSU traditions." ....

Bob Hunter

Charleston Gazette reporter Dave Hickman writes that by the time stud freshman Noel Devine got in the game, West Virginia had the game well in hand.... "By the time Noel Devine made his much-anticipated debut for West Virginia Saturday, the game was well in hand and the crowd had thinned from a high of 60,563 to maybe 40,000." ...

Dave Hickman

Tuscaloosa News sports columnist Cecil Hurt writes about the debut of the Nick Saban era at Alabama... "The University of Alabama, which under normal circumstances is fiercely jealous of any scrap of college football history, was more than willing to step aside and let Michigan live in infamy Saturday." ....

Cecil Hurt

In their football preview, Birmingham News sports reporters debate whether the presence of new Alabama head coach Nick Saban will mean the end to Auburn's great run.....

Birmingham News

Michigan Needs to Make a Change - NOW!

Five losses in six years to Ohio State....four straight bowl losses....the final straw has come....now a loss to a I-AA team.....when is enough, enough?....the Michigan football program is on a downward spiral and will continue to falter unless the University of Michigan administration makes a move right now - fire Lloyd Carr as head coach - effective immediately.....

Let me say this, I take nothing away from Appalachian State....they are a well coached, very good football team....they deserved to win....but the fact is, they are still a I-AA team....and a program of Michigan’s caliber and history should not lose to a I-AA team....but they did....and someone has to take the hit on this....

The Michigan football coaches did a poor job in preparing this team for this game....the team had miscues and played undisciplined throughout the game.....but in all honesty, the Michigan administration will not do one damn thing....they do not have the guts to replace Carr....therefore, Carr should do the right thing and resign....if he truly cares for Michigan football and its fans, he should turn over the reigns to another coach for the remainder of the season....but in all honesty again, that won’t happen.....

Instead Carr will sidestep the hard ball questions that are asked of him by the media....next week the offense will come out with the same old lame playcalling....the defense will talk tough, but will not be able to finish the job....at one point last year, defensive coordinator Ron English looked like the real deal....instead he is just another Jim Hermann who allows his defensive unit to give up the big plays....in the end, nothing will change....maybe, just maybe, at the end of the season, Athletic Director Bill Martin will fire the entire coaching staff and start fresh with new young blood....but this is Michigan we are talking about and they don't do things like that...

Therefore, don’t be surprised if Ohio State comes into Ann Arbor once again and hands Michigan its fourth straight defeat in the series....all I know, a disgrace like this would not happen in Columbus....Congratulations to Appalachian State...

Best Damn Fans in the Land?

Something I found on ESPN...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A former Ohio State University president who cracked down on game-day behavior during her tenure at the school lambasted Buckeyes fans in a recent job interview, saying they looked for any excuse to riot.

"When you win a game, you riot. When you lose a game, you riot. When spring comes, you riot. African-American Heritage Festival weekend, you riot," Karen Holbrook said last week during a videotaped interview for the president's job at Florida Gulf Coast University.

She told officials there that she confronted a culture of rioting when she arrived at Ohio State in 2002 and that she witnessed people doing "disgusting things, unbelievable things" on a videotape she ordered made after the Ohio State-Michigan game that year.

"They think it's fun to flip cars, to really have absolute drunken orgies. ... I don't want to be at a place that has this kind of culture as a norm," she said.

After her comments, released by the Florida university, got back to Ohio and the 52,000-student university, she softened her tone, noting that her negative remarks represented five minutes out of 10 hours of talks with officials of the Florida school, much of which focused on Ohio State's positives.

"People have ignored every other wonderful thing about a great institution that I bragged about, and that is what concerns me," Holbrook said Thursday from her Florida home.

Holbrook said she was barraged with complaints after she led a crackdown on tailgating and game-day behavior after 2002 riots made national news.

"They said, 'You're a goodie two-shoes. You don't understand what it is to be a Buckeye,'" she said. "Maybe that's true, but I didn't think this great university deserved the black eye to its reputation for this kind of behavior."
Holbrook oversaw a crackdown on tailgating and game-day behavior after 2002 riots made national news. She retired in June with a $250,000 exit bonus, then applied for the Florida Gulf Coast job this month. Holbrook later withdrew from consideration for the Florida job.

Quick links

Detroit Free Press reporter Shawn Windsor writes how Michigan tailback Mike Hart deals with the death of his little sister when he was 8-years-old.... “When he bursts through Michigan Stadium's tunnel Saturday to begin his final season as a Wolverine, the memory of that night isn't what will fuel him. The fury that drives Hart when he runs has never been about conjuring up the tragedies of his life.” .....

Shawn Windsor

Detroit Free Press sports columnist Michael Rosenberg writes about the greed of the Big Ten.... “Big Ten bigwigs can talk about evil Comcast taking away your precious games. The truth is that last year you got a lot of those games. The Big Ten wants more control, more exposure and, most of all, a bigger slice of the pie.” ...

Michael Rosenberg

Los Angeles Times reporter Chris Foster writes how the UCLA Bruins will go as far as quarterback Ben Olson takes them..... “Reaching goals the Bruins players covet -- a Pacific 10 Conference title and a berth to the Rose Bowl -- require offensive consistency that eluded UCLA in 2006. That would seem to make Olson's success essential.” .....

Chris Foster

San Francisco Chronicle’s Michelle Smith writes how the Stanford Cardinal have very realistic goals - be competitive..... “Jim Harbaugh has had his share of quotable moments since he took the Stanford job, but he won't be cajoled into predictions about the Cardinal's win-loss potential.” .....

Michelle Smith

Washington Post sports columnist and PTI host, Michael Wilbon, writes how Michael Vick’s apology is a first step, but he still has a long way to go.... “It was good to hear Vick apologize unconditionally, for not just what he did but what he facilitated. It was good to see the same man who has presumed all along he was bulletproof and completely outside the law show what appeared to be actually humility. I didn't think Michael Vick had that kind of performance left in him, to be quite honest.” ....

Michael Wilbon

Updates on this week's college games

Today are feature stories of a few of this week's college games....

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame
Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Mike Knobler writes how Georgia Tech tight end Colin Peek is talking about the Yellow Jackets running the table this season.... “It’s just about can we stay focused and will we stay healthy, and hopefully we can run the table." ....

Mike Knobler

South Bend Tribune’s Eric Hansen writes about Notre Dame’s new versatile wide receiver.... “And he's a good enough center fielder in baseball that the left-hander, drafted in the 42nd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, has an open invite to join the Irish baseball team after the football season is over. That's despite missing most of his senior baseball season with a torn ligament in his thumb.” ....

Eric Hansen

Tennessee at Cal
Nashville Tennessean’s Bryan Mullen writes how Cal quarterback Nate Longshore was rattled last season while playing at Tennessee.... “The junior admitted he was a little startled when he stepped in front of 106,009 orange-clad fans at Neyland Stadium. He never looked comfortable and Tennessee jumped out to a 35-0 lead, eventually notching a 35-18 win.” ...

Bryan Mullen

Knoxville News Sentinel’s sports columnist John Adams writes how Cal has been waiting a year for revenge against the Vols.... “Collectively, the Golden Bears flunked their Neyland Stadium test in the 2006 season opener. And like so many of his teammates, Follett had his own haunting play for a Tennessee souvenir.” ...

John Adams

San Francisco Chronicle’s Rusty Simmons writes how redemption has been the word of the week at Cal practice..... “The overwhelming theme being spewed from Cal camp this week is "redemption," and for two Bears, it isn't merely a company line.” ....

Rusty Simmons

Youngstown State at Ohio State
Columbus Dispatch football reporter Bob Hunter writes how Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel has been answering questions all off-season about playing Youngstown State..... “"I remember when Earle Bruce was sitting right here when he called (Youngstown) on my behalf," Tressel said. "I remember in his calm way he said, 'You can win there!' " ....

Bob Hunter

Youngstown Vindicator football reporter Pete Mollica writes about the family affair between the Heacock brothers... “Heacock, who enters his seventh season as the Penguins' coach with a 43-27 record, spent seven seasons as an assistant coach to Jim Tressel, who is now the coach at Ohio State. And there's Heacock's older brother, Jim, who is in his 12th season as an assistant coach with the Buckeyes.” ....

Pete Mollica

Blogging - missed days

Just a note to my readers that I have not been blogging the last few days because I was at a conference in Columbus on Friday then was sick the last few days....I'll be up and running either later today or tomorrow....

Stiles Points

NFL Tidbits

Here are a few articles about NFL news...

Washington Post reporter Jason La Canfora writes about the impact of rookie safety LaRon Landry..... “Landry's appearance with the starting defense is notable, since Gregg Williams, Washington's assistant head coach-defense, is known for burying younger players on the bench.” ....

Jason La Canfora

Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Mike Mulligan writes how Bears quarterback Rex Grossman has the full support of head coach Lovie Smith.... “Coach Lovie Smith didn't hesitate when asked the one, simple question that has perplexed Bears fans for a couple of seasons regarding the lack of competition for the starting quarterback job: Why is the team so committed to Grossman?” .....

Mike Mulligan

Dallas Morning News reporter Todd Archer writes how Dallas linebacker Bobby Carpenter has been bounced around among the various linebacking positions.... “From outside linebacker to inside linebacker to outside, Bobby Carpenter's first two seasons have been a yo-yo.” ....

Todd Archer

Kansas City Star sports columnist Jason Whitlock writes how he is even more impressed with Larry Johnson and his love of football.... “I would’ve waited. Not Larry. His football jones took precedent over his bank account and his ego.” ....

Jason Whitlock

Denver Post reporter Neil H. Devlin writes what former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway has been up to of late.... “Since the beginning of drills last week, John Elway has been tutoring his son as well as all other Bruins quarterbacks, much to the delight of Cherry Creek head coach Greg Critchett.” ....

Neil H. Devlin

Thoughts on the SEC - Surprise!! Surprise!!

It’s SEC time as Stiles Points puts the spotlight on the best football conference in the country.....

East
1. South Carolina (10-2)- I’m going out on the limb and take a risk here....Steve Spurrier (photo) gets the Gamecocks into the SEC title game....he returns 7 starters on offense and 10 on a defense that gave up only 18.7 PPG.....LB Jasper Brinkley is a stud who anchors the defense....the running game should be just fine with Cory Boyd and Mike Davis returning....the key to this team is at QB.....Blake Mitchell needs to mature and become more consistent....at one point last season he lost his starting spot to Syvelle Newton, only to regain it later in the year....USC has two good young QB’s in Chris Smelley and freshman Stephen Garcia....remember, USC lost many close games last year - by 7 to Auburn; by 7 to Tennessee; by 6 to Arkansas; by 1 at Florida....this year The Ole Ball Coach will win those games...

2. Georgia (9-3) - I make this pick with a lot of hesitation because the Bulldogs return only 4 starters on defense....if the defense does not mature as the season goes along, they could end up at 8-4....Matthew Stafford begins his second year as the quarterback and he needs to elevate his game....last season he threw seven TD’s and 13 INTs.....the Dogs do have the conference’s best kicker in Brandon Coutu....one thing for certain - Georgia will beat Florida this year....

3. Tennessee (9-3) - last season was looking so promising for the Vols until QB Erik Ainge got hurt....Jonathan Hefney will lead the seconardy and is a demon on punt returns....remember the name of freshman CB Eric Berry - he is supposed to be the real deal....the Vols will be alright as long as Ainge stays healthy and David Cutcliffe is calling the plays....

4. Florida (9-3) - many preview magazines have the Gators ranked as high as number 3....I just do not see that happening, especially when a team returns 6 starters on offense and only 2 on defense....that’s right - only 2 starters return from the defense that laid out almighty Ohio State....Derek Harvey is the leader on defense....the offense is led by QB Tim Tebow, WR, Percy Harvin, and OT Phil Trautwein....the Gators hit the motherload during recruiting season last year....but the fact is that these kids will take at least a year to get game ready....watch out next season though!!!!....

5. Kentucky (5-7) - the Cats have the best quarterback in the SEC - Andre Woodson (photo)....the 6'5" senior is projected to be an NFL first round draft pick...he threw 31 TD's last season and only 7 interceptions....his favorite target is Keenan Burton....the defense returns 8 starters....Kentucky finished with an 8-5 mark and a bowl win over Clemson last season....but, that defense gave up 28.4 PPG last season....if they don’t improve on that mark, I could see the Wildcats dropping out of the bowl picture again this season even with Woodson as the QB....

6. Vanderbilt (4-8) - this may be the best 4-8 team in the country....WR Earl Bennett is a legit star receiver and elusive QB Chris Nickson can run and throw....the offense returns 10 starters while the defense brings back 8....the Commodores may be at the bottom of the SEC, but they would beat many mid-level teams in other conferences.....I like this team, but they are stuck in the SEC....

West
1. Alabama (9-3) - the Tide will win the West even though LSU will have a better overall record....I could see Bama starting off 5-2 with losses to Florida State and Arkansas....but in their last five games, they could easily close 4-1....I look for LSU to come into Tuscaloosa with a perfect mark and Alabama to beat them....also, the Tide is due to beat Auburn....Alabama returns 9 players on offense and have a favorable schedule as Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU are all at home....

2. LSU (10-2) - the Tigers are loaded - on defense that is.....defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (photo) is one of the best college players in the country and he will be the catalyst for a lockdown defense that returns 8 starters....joining Dorsey on defense are DL Tyson Jackson and LB Ali Highsmith....the only reason I have a difficult time in picking LSU to win the conference is that they lost their starting QB and two stud wide receivers from an 11-2 team....the Tigers may have the best offensive line in the SEC with Herman Johnson and Will Arnold, but I am hesitant to go with them because of the loss at the skill positions even though Early Doucet returns at wide receiver....the September 8th home game against Va. Tech may be one of the best match-ups all year....

3. Arkansas (9-3) - the preview magazines predict that head coach Houston Nutt may be gone after this season.....one thing for certain, Heisman frontrunner Darren McFadden will be gone after his junior year - according to his mama.....I love this team because of not only McFadden, but also because of running mate Felix Jones....these two are the best tandem backs in the country and they will single handily win at least two games for the Hogs....

4. Auburn (7-5) - the Plainsmen (aka Tigers) return only 5 players on offense....that is why I think this will be a bit of a down year for Tommy Tuberville....Auburn will still have a stellar defense from a team that held opponents to 13.9 PPG last year.....the last time Auburn’s opponents averaged over 20 PPG was back in 2001....Quentin Groves is a stud at DE....look out for fresman OT Lee Ziemba who was highly touted as a high school player....don’t feel bad for the Tigers though, this is only going to be a 1 year drought....they will be back with the elite next season....

5. Mississippi State (4-8) - the Bulldogs return 9 players on offense – an offense that averaged only 18.4 PPG last year....the best player on the team is FS Derek Pegues.....Sylvester Croom is 9-25 in his three years in Starkville....another horrible season will probably mean a change at the helm.....

6. Ole Miss (4-8) - like their cross-state rival, Ole Miss returns 9 starters on offense – from an offense that averaged only 15.7 PPG last year.....the Rebels do have a solid running back in Benjarvus Green-Ellis....OT Michael Oher is another all-conference stud....four years ago, the Rebels were averaging 34 PPG....that number dropped with the graduation of Eli Manning and the firing of David Cutcliffe to a feeble 15.7 last season....


Upset Alert
September 8 - S. Florida @ Auburn - the Bulls are one of the best sleeper teams in the country....when this game was scheduled, no one thought S. Florida would be this good...
October 13 - LSU @ Kentucky - the Wildcats are sandwiched in between Florida and Auburn.....watch this game!!...
October 13 - Georgia @ Vanderbilt - the Commodores beat Georgia last season 24-22...
November 24 - Tennessee @ Kentucky - the last home game for Andre Woodson....


Best Players
South Carolina - Jasper Brinkley, lb; Ryan Succop, p/k; Cory Boyd, rb; Eric Norwood, de
Georgia - Paul Oliver, cb; Brandon Coutu, k; Mohamed Massaquoi, wr
Tennessee - Jonathan Hefney, s; Britton Colquitt, p; Eric Young, ot; Erik Ainge, qb
Florida - Percy Harvin, wr; Tim Tebow, qb; Derrick Harvey, dl; Phil Trautwein, ot
Kentucky - Andre Woodson, qb; Keenan Burton, wr; Wesley Woodyard, lb
Vanderbilt - Earl Bennett, wr; Jonathan Goff, lb
Alabama - Andre Smith, ot; Antoine Caldwell, c; D.J. Hall, wr
LSU - Glenn Dorsey, dt; Early Doucet, wr; Tyson Jackson, dl; Ali Highsmith, lb; Will Arnold, og
Arkansas - Darren McFadden, rb; Felix Jones, rb; Marcus Monk, wr; Jonathan Luigs, c; Robert Felton, og
Auburn - Quentin Groves, dl; King Dunlap, ot; Brandon Cox, qb
Mississippi State - Derek Pegues, s; Titus Brown, dl
Ole Miss - BenJarvus Green-Ellis, rb; Michael Oher, ot


Best coach - Tommy Tuberville, Auburn (photo) - Urban Meyer is the hot name in the conference, but T2 is the most consistent....
Best quarterback - Andre Woodson, Kentucky - it is hard to ignore a 6'5" quarterback who threw 31 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions....
Best offensive player - Darren McFadden, Arkansas - this guy may bring the first Heisman to the Razorback state...
Best defensive player - Glenn Dorsey, LSU - this is a man playing with young men....he will be a top 10, if not higher, draft pick.....


Overview - there will be some changes in the SEC this year.....the Gators lost too many star players from the BCS title team.....but they replaced all those players with a great freshman crop....Florida may run the table next season.....LSU has the best defense and offensive line in the SEC, but they lost too many skill players.....these issues with Florida and LSU will allow teams like South Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas to pounce on the opportunity.....Spurrier has his best team at South Carolina -- they are set on offense and defense - if only QB Blake Mitchell can "manage the game" and not make stupid mistakes....some may laugh at my pick of Alabama to win the West, but Nick Saban has a favorable schedule and a track record of making average college teams better....in the end, look for South Carolina to beat Alabama in the title game...

Thoughts on the PAC-10 - Can USC be stopped?

Today's college football thoughts move west to the PAC-10......

1. Southern Cal (12-0) - as usual, everything begins and ends with the Trojans......whether you love them or hate them, you have to admit they are having a dynasty similar to that of Miami (Fla) in the 1980s and early 90s....USC has a tough road schedule: Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Cal....as they learned last year, they cannot overlook any opponent as both Oregon State and UCLA beat them....offensive tackle Sam Baker may be the best player on the team....the defense is loaded with 10 returning starters led by linebackers Keith Rivers & Brian Cushing...

2. UCLA (10-2) - was the monumental win over USC last year the victory that the UCLA football program needed to get back into the elite?.....well, Westwood returns 10 starters on both offense and defense from last year's 7-6 squad....offensive lineman Shannon Tevaga anchors the line who protect QB Ben Olson and block for 1,000 yard rusher Chris Markey....don't be surprised if the Bruins start of 8-0....

3. Oregon (8-4) - the Ducks always have a good team, but 4 of the last 5 years they have hit stretches in their season where they would lose 2 or 3 games in a row and end up underachieving....Oregon has the best running back in the conference in Jonathan Stewart....the defense returns seven players, but none are highly ranked in the conference...their defense will keep them from having a great season.....

4. Oregon State (8-4) - the Beavers caught the nation's attention by dumping USC last season....offensive lineman Jeremy Perry and defensive lineman Roy Schuening are pre-season All-Americans....both sides of the ball return 8 starters each from a 10-4 team....Sean Canfield will take over at QB, but he has running back Yvenson Bernard back who rushed for 1,364 yards...Sammie Stroughter (photo) was the top receiver in the PAC-10 - not Dwayne Jarret, Steve Smith, or DeSean Jackson last season...in 2005, the Beavers defense gave up 33 PPG, but improved to 22 PPG last season....this is a sleeper team...

5. Cal (7-5) - gone is Marshawn Lynch, but Justin Forsett steps into the running back spot....the Bears return Nate Longshore at QB and Alex Mack on the line.....but the playmaker on offense is DeSean Jackson - a stud with Ginn-like speed who can change the game....what hurts Cal though is that only 5 starters return on a defense that allowed 19.3 PPG.....it will be an up-and-down year for the kids at Berkely....

6. Arizona (7-5) - this is head coach Mike Stoops fourth year in Tuscon and he needs to produce - now!.....the offense will go as far as QB Willie Tuitama will lead them....he was a disappointment last season throwing only seven TD's.....the key to the Wildcats season is their defense which returns 9 starters and gave up 19 PPG last year....Antoine Cason may be the best corner in the conference....linebacker Spence Larsen is a stud....the Cats will pull off an upset on November 3rd when UCLA invades...if Tuitama improves, they may even go 8-4....the defense will carry this team though....

7. Arizona State (7-5) - Dennis Erickson lands in Tempe as he makes he way through all the west coast schools....one thing for certain, the Sun Devils will be a better football team fundamentally....they return nine players on offense including QB Rudy Carpenter and RB Ryan Torain....the porous defense returns five guys from a team that gave up 25 PPG....Arizona State always seems to underachieve....

8. Washington (6-6) - beginning his third season, Ty Willingham may be starting to rebuild the Huskies....last season they finished 5-7 and were driving to beat Southern Cal until the clock ran out....what hurts them is that they lost their top QB and WR from last year...QB Carl Bonnell played some last year, which will be helpful early in the year - especially when Ohio State comes marching into Seattle....they just may surprise a team or two during the year....there has been pre-season talk about pressure on Ty to start winning this year.....the university will make a big mistake if they don't give this guy some time....

9. Washington State (4-8) - the Cougars were 6-6 last season and only lost to USC by 6 points.....its just unfortunate they play in the tough PAC-10....yes Les Miles, the PAC-10 is a tough conference.....it also doesn't help that they open at Wisconsin....

10. Stanford (1-11) - young head coach Jim Harbaugh will learn that the jump from I-AA to I-A is not easy.....not everyone is a Jim Tressel....plus, Harbaugh has little to work with at Stanford....the Cardinal will play more spirited football this year - that is for sure....

Upset Alert
September 15 - USC @ Nebraska - the children of the corn will be loud and hungry....very hungry....
October 20 - Oregon @ Washington - the Ducks have pounded the Huskies 110-41 over the last three seasons.....this game is in Seattle....not so fast Oregon fans - this is not an easy W!!!....
October 20 - USC @ Notre Dame - Southern Cal should roll Notre Dame....but this game is in South Bend and the Irish are long overdue to beat USC....
November 3 - UCLA @ Arizona - it is quite possible that UCLA comes into this game with 0 or 1 loss....this will be a benchmark game for Mike Stoops....

Best Players
Southern Cal - Sam Baker, ot; John David Booty, qb; Fred Davis, te; Lawrence Jackson, de; Keith Rivers, lb; Brian Cushing, lb; Sedrick Ellis, dt; Terrell Thomas, cb
UCLA - Bruce Davis, de; Shannon Tevaga, og; Chris Markey, rb
Oregon - Jonathan Stewart, rb; Dennis Dixon, qb; Jaison Williams, wr; Max Unger, c
Oregon State - Roy Schuening, og; Sammie Stroughter, wr; Yvenson Bernard, rb; Derrick Doggett, lb; Sryan Payton, s; Alex Serna, k
Cal- DeSean Jackson, wr; Nate Longshore, qb; Justin Forsett, rb; Alex Mack, ol
Arizona - Antoine Cason, cb; Louis Holmes, de; Spencer Larsen, lb
Arizona State - Ryan Torain, rb; Brandon Rodd, ot
Washington - Greyson Gunheim, de
Washington State - Alex Brink, qb
Stanford - Alex Fletcher, og

Best coach - Pete Carroll, Southern Cal - next question please....
Best quarterback - John David Booty, Southern Cal - Nate Longshore and Dennis Dixon are good quarterbacks, but Booty is the best in the conference....
Best offensive player - Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State - most people would say DeSean Jackson, but S2 had more receptions and yards receiving....my sleeper pick for this award was almost offensive lineman Sam Baker (photo) from USC....
Best defensive player - USC Defense - take your pick.....let me say this though, the best non-USC defensive player is Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason....

Overview - about 10 years ago the PAC-10 was an embarrassment....but right now, they are one of the elite....Southern Cal is a special program which makes it hard for other quality PAC-10 teams to win the conference....but if you look at last year's USC record, they had three close calls within the conference (along with the two losses): Washington State 28-22; Washington 26-20; Arizona State 28-21....Arizona has to make a move this season and take that next step, if not, Mike Stoops may be gone....Oregon State is a sleeper team who many on the east coast know nothing about...UCLA has a chance to regain some of its lost luster - and I think they will....also, I have to pay homage to the USC Song Girls too...they are incredible, even though the Oregon cheerleaders are highly under-rated....one thing though, you think the USC sports department would get the Song Girls underpants that fit properly.... Fight On!

The Sunday Baker's Dozen - Sunday, August 19, 2007

Sunday Fact - Former NFL greats Jackie Slater and Darrell Green hold the NFL record for most seasons played with one club....both played 20 seasons.....Slater played for the Rams organization and Green played for the Redskins....

Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp writes about the city of Detroit's two young studs: Calvin Johnson and Cameron Maybin..... "There's more excitement about Cameron Maybin's surprisingly early major league debut than there is about Calvin Johnson's NFL regular-season debut next month because the long-term expectations for the Tigers are far, far higher than those for the Lions." ....

Drew Sharp

Washington Post sports columnist and Pardon the Interruption (PTI) co-host Michael Wilbon writes about the dirtiest word in sports.... "Every league has tragic losses of life, but nothing scares a sport's powers that be quite as much as the G-word." ....

Michael Wilbon

San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ray Ratto writes that Oakland Raider head coach Lane Kiffen should hand over the starting quarterback job to Daunte Culpepper..... "The Raiders, on the other hand, discovered that they might as well just hand over the offense to Daunte Culpepper right now, even though he made his magic against the 49ers' second unit." ....

Ray Ratto

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Jessica Guynn writes how the the playground game Four Square is a big hit on the job in the Silicon Valley..... "That's right. The latest oddball pursuit in Silicon Valley - the land of perpetual adolescence - is the classic playground game in which four players occupy squares and hit a rubber ball back and forth with their hands, trying to get each other out and score points." ....

Jessica Guynn

Boston Globe sports reporter Christopher L. Gasper writes how New England Patriot Junior Seau is putting on the shoulder pads once more.... "Time heals all wounds, but at a certain point in a professional football player's career, time becomes a wound itself, the accumulation of bumps and bruises, broken bones, and pulled muscles adding up to a toll that the body can no longer pay." ....

Christopher L. Gasper

Newark Star Ledger sports columnist Jerry Izenberg writes about the late Phil Rizzuto.... "Rizzuto went out to watch Yogi play. Berra recalls that when he met him that day and noted Rizzuto's size, he thought: "If this little guy can play in the major leagues, I guess I can, too." ....

Jerry Izenberg

New York Times sports columnist Murray Chass writes about the correct age of Phil Rizzuto.... "Sorry, Scooter, but I have to do it. I have kept your secret to myself for nearly 30 years, but now that you have sadly left us, I don't think you would mind if I told the tale from the Yankees' spring training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in the late 1970s." ....

Murray Chass

The New York Times' Howard Beck writes how the United States Basketball team will try again to regain world dominance..... "The Dream Team, in its various incarnations, has never lacked talent or star quality, only humility, cohesion and, occasionally, experience. So it seemed appropriate when Jason Kidd, in a July team meeting, referenced his 28-0 record in international play . . . "

Howard Beck

Miami (Fla) head coach Randy Shannon did a Q&A with Miami Herald reporter Susan Miller Degnan.....

Susan Miller Degnan

Miami Herald reporter David Neal writes how new Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron is stressing the fundamentals during training camp..... "Wondering when you will see the multifaceted offense that got Cam Cameron the top job in Davie?" ....

David Neal

Jacksonville Times-Union sports columnist Sam Borden writes about the unique relationship between an offensive coordinator and the quarterback.... "The relationship between NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator is often the pro sports equivalent of an arranged marriage: Two people who didn't necessarily fall in love with each other being becoming wholly committed to each other, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, till a 6-10 season do they part." ....

Sam Borden

Dallas Morning News sports columnist Tim Cowlishaw writes about the new Dallas defense under Wade Phillips.... "When you bring in Wade Phillips to coach your team, your No. 1 priority is to fix a defense. That's the only thing that makes sense." ....

Tim Cowlishaw

Cincinnati Enquirer football writer Mark Curnutte gives a fast wrap of what is going on around the NFL.....

Mark Curnutte

YSU - All Stambaugh Stadium Offensive Unit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thoughts on the ACC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ACC Title Game - Virginia Tech over Florida State

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

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

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

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

Russian couples to be given day off to make babies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big Ten Preview - the pressure is on Michigan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Former Yankee Great Phil Rizzuto Dies

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

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