Allegiance to Whom

College Football:

Bowl games start Thursday, so get your team shirt ready...I will leave it to Brent to give his picks for this years Bowl season - he's the expert on matchups.

Now...the coaching carousel is always a heavily debatable topic this time of the year and the 2007 season wasn't different and if anything..more intriguing. First...the media have been bashing Petrino for leaving the Atlanta Falcons to go to Arkansas. I believe most don't agree with the way it was handled, but wasn't it Alabama's coach Saban that taught us that loyalty and commitment mean nothing, so to me it's no surprise. Petrino bit off way more than he could chew in going to the NFL - where ego's rule - he's a college coach and that's were he belongs. Also, it's funny how a month ago the Falcon players wanted Petrino to leave, and when he did..they still complain. Now with that said...the way he handled it was wrong, but when has tact and honestly been a trademark of sports?? It's a shame...those trademarks have been forgotten. Oh yea, Michigan finally landed a Coach...sucks for WVU.

MLB & Steroids:

This story has dried up. Seriously, how naive do you have to be to believe that some of those guys were not juiced up. This situation is easy to fix - put stiff rules in affect...test the crap out of them...if they fail...suspend them for the season with no pay (I know easier said than done with the players union). As far as the players that did them in the past...what can you do? Unless you have the needle that went into their ass, then their Innocent until proven guilty, and if you were tattled on by your former trainer...then just apologize. If there's nothing we have learned in this society, it's that people forgive...or forget...either way..honestly is the best policy.

Kasey Kahne:

Kasey Kahne is being sued by a security guard, who alleges that Kahne roughed him up (pushed him down) raised his blood pressure and has caused him mental anguish...after the guard would not let Kanhe and his brother into the drivers lot after final practice at Homestead...apparently, Kahne's brother did not have his credential on him. Now..can we say "frivolous"....I sure can..., it's good to know my tax money is going to good use. Seriously...they really need to watch out who they give a flash light, pepper spray and a plastic badge too, because security guards can be d-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s (I know from personal experience)..sometimes you just need to shake your head yes and let them think there real cops for a bit.

There are two suspicious facts in this case: 1) Is it that hard to figure out he can go into the drivers lot...considering...he was wearing a drivers suit?? (da da daaaaa) 2) Kasey's..ohh about 5'7..to put it mildly...he's not a fighter from the UFC. 3) Finally, can we say easy & quick 401K for security guards.

USM Has a New Head Man

USM introduced Larry Fedora today as their new football Head Coach. In front of a large crowd, Fedora promised to bring an attacking style of offense and defense to Hattiesburg. 

With 17 years of coaching experience, Fedora has most recently served as Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State University for three seasons, brining the Cowboy offense up from one of the worst offenses in the NCAA (ranked in the 100's) up to ninth nationally in total offense this past season. Prior to being at OSU, he served for one season as Offensive Coordinator at the University of Florida under former Coach Ron Zook. 

To me, it looks like USM got a great young head coaching prospect. As with all Coordinators-turned-Head Coaches, there may be a slight learning curve, but Fedora does have some good experience on his resume. 

I've always thought that the three major universities in MS need to find a way to out-scheme a majority of the teams they play due to the difference in talent level and depth against some of the top tier schools, especially some of the SEC schools. I think USM has a found a coach that will bring an exciting brand of offense to Hattiesburg, one that should definitely be able to keep up with the top teams in CUSA right now - UCF and Tulsa to name a few. 

I say good job to the USM administration for taking the time to interview multiple candidates and not make a rushed decision. I had a chance to sit down and talk with Richard Gianini two summers ago when I interviewed for a position in the USM athletic department and although I didn't take the position offered to me, I was very impressed with Gianini and his other administrative staff. 

I know some of the fan base at USM was (and still may be) upset at the ouster of Bower after 17 years, but I think Fedora will rally the fan base in a short time and create some excitement in Hattiesburg. 

Feel free to comment. I'd especially like to hear from the USM fans/alumni out there. 

Bowl Mania

Man, what a crazy season of College Football. Now the Bowls are set and it's time to debate whether each team went to the right one. Before I get to "if LSU deserved to go" bit..I want to say...What the hell was West Virginia thinking????!! With that performance against Pitt they don't even deserve a BCS bowl. Trade them for Missouri...at least they put up a fight. I mean, a team that averages over 40 points a game, scores 9 against a horrible Pitt team. WVU didn't want it.

Ok, now to the National Title game. I think everyone will have an opinion on which team deserves it, but I'm going to chime in with my opinion. First of all, I really believe Kansas got ripped off more than anyone. The only difference between Kansas & Oklahoma is that the Sooner's have the history of being a good football team...that's it. With that said..it should have been 11-1 Kansas v. 11-1 Ohio St. With Kansas being disqualified for being Kansas I feel as if they got it close to right. Ohio St. was Johnny on the spot, and automatically moved up with Missouri and WVU losing, but the controversy was with who should play them...should it have been LSU, USC, Georgia, Oklahoma or VA Tech. In my opinion, out of those LSU was the right selection. Why, my reason's are below:

1) It took 6 overtimes to beat them in both of their loses.
2) They have been beat up all year and still competitive.
3) They won the SEC, Georgia did not - if Georgia had then they would be a no brainier.
4) The kicked VA Tech in the junk earlier this season.

Personally, I thought they would let USC slip in there to play for it, and I would rather see Georgia than LSU..but..that's not the case...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2836420

Now, by my calculation everyone's team made a Bowl game this year except Miami and Ole Miss..and for them I give these words of encouragement:

To Miami...you will get to play in a new stadium next year - no more stinky Orange Bowl & your team did not get in any brawls (or least none that I know of).

To Ole Miss...yes, you suck..but now your players can understand what the hell your coach is saying..meaning....I see improvement in the future.

Head's are Rolling

It's the end of the regular season and teams are starting to make changes for next season - meaning many coaches will be looking for a new address. Among those coaches from Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Michigan and yes, Southern Miss.

I knew Coach O was on the cutting block - the guy is a hell of a recruiter but cannot coach a bit - after not winning a SEC game for the first time in school history he deserves it. Same can be said for the coach at Nebraska - brought in to revive the Huskers, he managed to make them look worse. On to Southern Miss, the rule of mediocrity is over. It's just exciting to think about doing better than 7-5 and a birth in the New Orleans Bowl or the Birmingham Bowl (papajohns). Look I give credit to Bower for being a great guy and keeping the program out of the tank, but unfortunately he doesn't have the ability to move the program to the next level - after 17 years it's time to try something new (maybe bring Nix back??).

While some coaches are getting kicked out, others are getting congratulated. Croom at State should win Coach of the year in the SEC - he has gotten rid of Sherrill's Thugs and finally has a coachable team. Also, I think it's fair to say that Vol's coach Fulmer was saved by leading his team back to SEC title.

There are still a few "?" as the season ends: 1) Will Saban turn around the Tide next season (they looked weak this year) and will be shut his mouth and just coach? 2) Will FL. State force Bowden to retire (because it's obvious he is not coaching but just a face on their sideline)? 3) Will Les Miles move to Michigan and if so, who will go to LSU (maybe Spurrier)? 4) Can Ole Mis dig themselves out of the cellar of the SEC? 5) Will Southern Miss go up or down the year after Bower?

Other than that: this weekend will determine the Bowl match-ups...interesting. I'm going with West Virginia v. Ohio St. - but I'd rather see Missouri v. West Virginia or in a fantasy world, Hawaii v. Kansas.

So far I know Southern is going to B-Ham to play a team from the Big East - good chance it will be Rutgers. Now, where will State, Alabama, GA Tech, TN (etc) go?

FOOD AND FOOTBALL

While you're sitting around the house stuffing your face with turkey and dressing there will be HUGE games going on. Very seldom in the SEC does the last weekend have so much riding on it. Usually we know a couple weeks ahead of time who will be in the championship game and we have a pretty good idea of where our team is headed during bowl season. (Even if it's gonna be sitting on the couch) I would like to mention that flying under the radar this weekend is Vandy. If they defeat Wake Forest, they will give the SEC 11 bowl eligible teams. Wouldn't expect anything less after a year this wild.

Florida, South Carolina and Georgia are done with SEC play and will wrap up their seasons playing their in-state rivals, Florida State, Clemson and Georgia Tech. Florida and Georgia are playing well and should come away with wins. Will be interesting to see if Clemson has hung it up after handing over the ACC division title last weekend.

Ole Miss will play the only bowl they are eligible for this week. Despite all the pitiful coaching done last week, I would imagine Brent Schaeffer will take most of the snaps. In my opinion that gives them the best opportunity to win.

I'm also curious to see how Arkansas plays with Houston Nutt's job winding down in Fayetteville. Will they lay it all out there? or will they lay down? I think Felix Jones' health will play a huge factor in keeping all 11 defenders from keying on McFadden. Not to mention Jones is an outstanding kick returner.

Iron bowl thoughts...Couldn't have been more proud of La Monroe last weekend! Auburn has won 5 in a row. Alabama gets its players back from suspension. OL Caldwell will probably be welcomed back by the assignments of blocking Q. Groves. What I'm lookin for is Alabama trying to thrown deep a lot against an Auburn secondary that has given up a good number of plays down the field this season.

Tennessee at Kentucky, Ok Tennessee wins and they go play LSU. Tennessee loses and UGA wins the SEC East. That's a simple explanation for a game with big implications.

Picks, Picks, Picks...
Vandy 24 Wake Forest 19
Florida 31 Florida State 20
Georgia 35 Georgia Tech 10
Clemson 28 South Carolina 27
Auburn 20 Alabama 13
Arkansas 31 LSU 28
Kentucky 41 Tennessee 35
Ole Miss 24 MS State 17

The Season That Is

Ok, we're half way through the 2007 season, and I'm going to give my grade to each team - I mean, each of you teams, including my Golden Buzzards. Who should I do first?

Ole Miss (3-7)

Poor Ole Miss. They keep coming close to getting that first SEC win, but it keeps eluding them - it's that or they get stomped in the ground, and it doesn't look any better for them as they play LSU next weekend. Their hope is to end the Bowl chances of State at season's end and hope they find a coach during the off season. Grade: F-

Alabama (6-3)

I have to say I have been impressed with the way the Tide have played this season. They are scrappy and could have easily won two out of the three games they lost. Grade: B+

Southern Miss (5-4)

What could have been for the Eagles - a chance to yet again set themselves apart from the rift raft of C-USA and they blow it. Never mind they've been through each QB six times - losing to Rice is embarrassing. If anything, maybe Bower has learned that the screen pass does not work on each set of downs. New Orleans Bowl here they come. Grade: D+

Tennessee (6-3)

The question for TN has been - which team will show up this week? They play great one week and lay an egg the next. They have the talent, but forget to show up with the heart. They play there sister this weekend, Arkansas has had the same issue. Still, I expect one to get blown out.
Grade: B-

Mississippi St. (5-4)

They're one game away from the Liberty Bowl - now they have to survive and not have a let down against the Reb's. I have to say - I have been somewhat impressed with the fire that MS State has played with this year - it seems as if they're tired of being called nobody's and are scrapping for a Bowl appearance. Grade: B+

Miami (5-4)

Both the wins and losses have been ugly for the Hurricanes. I think they will limp into a Bowl game due to their athletic ability. Not saying they haven't had a few good wins - Texas A&M coming to mind - then losing to North Carolina ruins that. Grade: C

Florida (6-3)

That record is not bad considering the level of teams they play, plus how young they are - I mean, no one expected them to repeat. Look for good things next year - well, if they don't kill Tebow before then. Grade B+

Georgia Tech (5-4)

They are unpredictable as well. The one thing you can predict about GT is that they keep the ACC grade point average up. Grade: C+

LSU (8-1)

The Tigers are tough and have came through with some big wins, but they're not that darn good. I predict they will lose again before the 2007 season is out, maybe in the SEC Championship game. Grade: A-

FOOTBALL EVERY NIGHT!

I'm not sure if it's good for the players and coaches, but as football fans you have to be excited about this week. Every night when you get home from work there will be college football on TV. C-USA gets going tonight with Marshall vs Memphis. Wednesday Rice @ Southern Miss. Thursday is the best of the mid-week games. Kentucky @ South Carolina. Friday could turn out to be interesting with Utah @ Louisville.

The SEC has another exciting week coming up as Kentucky (5-0) gets to show if they are really a contender for the Eastern title this year. Georgia @ Tennessee. Each team has 1 loss in conference already making this game a must have for both. The youth of Florida showed up last week against a good Auburn defense. Florida gets another huge challenge this weekend at LSU. Vanderbilt @ Auburn is the early game Saturday. Auburn had a big "oops" against MS State early in the day. Vandy could stick around for a little while in this one.

My Picks

South Carolina 45 Kentucky 42

Auburn 27 Vanderbilt 13

Georgia 35 Tennessee 27

LSU 24 Florida 17

Ole Miss 28 La Tech 10

Houston 27 Alabama 20

MS State 31 UAB 17

Arkansas 55 UTC 13