Ohio State was Gifted College Football Playoff Appearance for Money

While the manner in which Ohio State Buckeyes and their 3^rd string quarterback Cardale Jones dismantled the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game could have technically made the difference in putting OSU over the top and into the College Football Playoff, let’s make no mistake about it: Ohio State was given a spot in the playoff because they are the more reputable program and will draw the most viewers.

I strongly feel that if Ohio State met up against either Texas Christian University or Baylor, they would lose the game, but this apparently doesn’t matter for the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.  Picking either TCU or Baylor would have led to great controversy, given that both teams had just one loss and were playing great football.  For me, TCU should have been given a chance since their only loss was to the top-5 team, Baylor.  In fact, that loss was to a higher ranked team than both Oregon and Alabama, who are both in the playoff.  Then again, if TCU were allowed in we would have to hear the endless whining by Baylor since they beat TCU earlier in the year. But their loss was to a 7-5 West Virginia.  Meanwhile, Ohio State lost to a Virginia Tech team that ended 6-6, without a winning record and barely bowl eligible.

And so while football reasons marginally suggest TCU should be in the playoff, let’s take a look at one of the truly decisive factors: school population size.  Doesn’t the NCAA have a habit of trying to make as much money as possible?  Wouldn’t it likely be more profitable if a larger school with more of a college football history were present in the playoff?  OSU has one of the largest undergraduate student bodies in America with around 44,000 enrolled.  Baylor follows with 13,000.  TCU is behind them with just 8,500.  Wouldn’t it make sense to gift the playoff berth to a school with 3 or 4 times as many alumni as the others?  Also factor in the population of Ohio, the supportive family members of these students, and the many people who support the program without any direct association and it’s obvious that OSU provides the bigger draw.  Interestingly enough, the final rankings follow suit with the schools’ sizes.  Had a larger Big 12 school like Texas or Oklahoma finished with just one loss, you had better believe they would be involved in the playoff!

Ohio State also has a proud history of 14 National Titles.  TCU actually has 2 of their own but none since 1938!  Baylor has never won.  When the playoff boasts a game like Ohio State vs. Alabama for the semifinal, more people will watch than Alabama vs. TCU or Baylor.  Additionally, it keeps the American South to just 2 teams and gives the Midwest part of the country a team to cheer for.  In essence, it looks nicer on the map, and it will allow the NCAA to charge more money for TV advertisements and other methods of income that the institution repeatedly capitalizes on.  Who cares if college football is again embroiled in a national championship controversy; the NCAA will get top dollar for this final four.

But this argument is largely moot because Alabama would have beaten any team they were paired up against.  Sure, Ohio State’s coach Urban Meyer might get his team prepared, but they will definitely be beaten soundly.  And so maybe the whole idea of the playoff is righteous after all.  Arguing over the 4^th best team in the country isn’t quite like fighting over who’s 2^nd.  However it plays out, the best team in the country is likely to be Alabama, Oregon, or Florida State.  Would one of the exciting Texan teams been able to shake up another year of major, traditional (and boring) football programs winning the title?  We’ll never know…

Who Will Earn a Trip To the Final Four?

The 2014 NCAA basketball tournament has proved to be yet another wild ride to cap off the collegiate basketball season.  Just like every other year, there have been enthralling matches, buzzer beater finishes, and dramatic upsets as 64 was whittled down to our current Sweet Sixteen.  But all the fun is going to kick off again this weekend, and by Sunday we will know whose season has culminated in a trip to the fabled lands of the NCAA Final Four!  All the Cinderella teams and upsets aside, now is the time for the big boys to make their mark, and I fully expect several of the top ranked sides to make the trip to Arlington, Texas.  Here is your predicted 2014 Final Four:

Florida Gators – Not only do the Gators have one of the nation’s top defenses and well-rounded scoring options, but they also have the easiest roads to the Final Four.  Both Kansas and Syracuse have been eliminated, leaving their first match against UCLA as the stiffest test ahead.  With Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson playing great, Florida will be challenged, but the combined efforts of Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Michael Frazier II, and Patric Young should be able to see Florida through.  In fact, this team is so strong that they are considered by many to be the favorites to go the distance and cut down the nets!

Arizona Wildcats – Their first game against San Diego State should be a defensive battle, with both teams’ defenses ranked in the top 5 nationally (San Diego State actually is actually 2^nd, though their schedule was far easier…).  However, Arizona has supreme talent and has been the most consistent team in the nation all year.  Nick Johnson and Aaron Gordon have both been very productive and they should progress.  The next matchup against either Baylor or Wisconsin should also figure to be a great contest, but I think this Arizona team call pull it through.  They were awarded the number 1 seed for a reason, and I expect them to battle on to the Final Four!

Louisville Cardinals – I didn’t expect this team to do so well before the tournament started, but their play last weekend has brought back echoes of 2013!  With many of the same stars of last year’s triumph like Luke Hancock and Russ Smith, the school also brought in 3-point specialist Chris Jones.  This team has the best potential to repeat as any I’ve ever seen and will certainly return to the Final Four.  With a young Kentucky and either Michigan or Tennessee standing in their way, I feel that Louisville has all the merits of a nationally contending force once again!

Virginia Cavaliers – Disrespected by all the experts, no one thinks this 1-seed will progress past the Spartans of Michigan State, but I disagree.  Virginia is the ultimate basketball “team”, and while they lack a dominant star NBA prospect, their duo of Malcolm Brogdon and Joe Harris can shoot the 3-ball consistently while their squad can all chip in to help score.  But what makes Virginia so strong is their top-ranked defense that won not only the ACC regular season but the ACC tournament as well.  An NCAA title may be beyond them, but I foresee the Cavaliers putting the MSU bandwagon to bed and progressing past Iowa State or Connecticut and right into the Final Four!

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Can Wichita State “Shock” the World with an NCAA Tournament Championship?

The best college basketball team isn’t supposed to be a squad from the Missouri Valley conference.  Not when there are major college athletic programs that invest millions of dollars in state of the art facilities and recruit all the potential NBA talent from around the country.  Perhaps that’s why the Wichita State Shockers remain ranked just number 2 in the country, despite being the only undefeated regular season team since 1991!  Yes, their schedule was softer than most major conference basketball teams, but wasn’t Wichita State the Cinderella team of the 2013 NCAA tournament, who shed their number 9 seed and beat both top-ranked Gonzaga and 7^th ranked Ohio State to reach the Final Four? It’s not like the Shockers haven’t played (and beaten) anyone.  So could they actually finish the job this year and win a National Title?

Of course they can.  In fact, they should be coming into this tournament as definite favorites and a number 1 seed!  But that seed really means little once the games begin, especially for title contenders.  All that matters in the next game, and winning it.  And as we have seen over the last four months, the Shockers are really good at doing that.

Railing off 34 wins this season, the team is led by the same core group that performed that tremendous March run last year.  Ron Baker, Cleanthony Early, Fred VanVleet, and Tekele Cotton are each producing over 10 points per game, and have the talent and awareness to beat anyone.  Rebounds and assists are spread out amongst the team who click better than most, even those major conference teams laden with NBA prospects.  What is most inspiring, however, is the their ability to generate turnovers and steals on defense, and their ability to turn those plays into points.  With their defensive fortitude, Wichita State can handle anyone.

But it will definitely be interesting to see how they fare in the tournament.  They haven’t played a nationally ranked team all year, and have yet to really be put to the test.  They’ve hardly even played any close games, especially in the last few months of the season!  What will happen when they face a Duke or a Syracuse or a Florida?  Can they handle the pressure of a tight game?  Will they be able to adapt from playing against teams they can breeze past, or will the tough opponents send the Shockers into, dare I say, shock?

Needless to say, the incredible Final Four run of 2013 should be a major point of strength and experience for this team.  They clearly learned that they could handle anyone, and they still have that burning desire to win, as evidenced by their impressive 34-0 record.  Whether or not they complete the miracle and earn a shocking National Title for Wichita State, the team has competed at the top level for the past 2 seasons and is fully deserving of whatever glory comes their way.  While predicting a champion is always a tough and tricky science, especially with 68 teams to choose from, I think that if there’s a strong bet in this event that will surely have the casual fans rooting for them, it’s Wichita State.  Let’s see if these guys can shock the world once again!

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2014 NCAA March Madness News

March Madness Has Arrived

The 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball season has been riveting to say the least. We've seen everything from conference facelifts, to freshman phenoms, and even mid-major dominance. Although the final chapter is still to be written, this season will certainly be one to remember, and perhaps one that marks a turning point in collegiate basketball.

Conference Shake-up

Before the season had yet to even begin, folks were buzzing about the disbandment of the old Big East Conference. Teams like Syracuse, Louisville, and UConn, who had each won a title in the past 10 years, were no longer members of this historically successful conference. While Louisville and UConn remain in a conference limbo of sorts, Syracuse hopped over to the ACC to join the likes of perennially dominant teams, Duke and North Carolina.

Freshman Phenoms

What do Duke, Syracuse, Kansas and Arizona all have in common? In addition to having successful seasons, they are all riding the backs of talented freshman. Duke's Jabari Parker, Cuse's Tyler Ennis, Kansas's Andrew Wiggins, and Arizona's Aaron Gordon are all-but-guaranteed lottery picks this upcoming NBA draft. While the one-and-done crowd is quickly becoming a fixture in NCAA, the most exciting part is watching how these kids handle the spotlight of March Madness.

Mid-Major Perfection

Despite failing to obtain the number 1 ranking for any amount of time this season, Wichita State did not fail when it came to their on-court performance. The team did what no other team in NCAA history has done: go 31-0 in the regular season. While their strength-of-schedule has been debated ad nauseam, the team did make the Final Four last year, so no one should be surprised to see a repeat performance this March. The question is, can a mid-major finally cut down the nets?

Announcements

There is plenty to look forward to this March, for all basketball lovers. And although the tournament is still a few weeks away (the best place to watch is through the ESPN Full Court Package from Direct Television), the NCAA has made a few announcements to give the super-fans something to discuss in the mean time. One is the recent announcement of the Division III tournament's field of 62, which, although the stakes (and arenas) are smaller, the hoops are no less exciting. Another recent announcement is the new NCAA hand-checking rules, which allow more ball-handling freedom for the offensive player. It should be interesting to see how this affects play in an already tense tournament atmosphere.

Regardless of the circumstances of each particular season, college tournament basketball is first-class entertainment filled with genuine sincerity and determination. There's no wonder why the ratings are so high or that March Madness sports memorabilia is always a best-seller (don’t forget to check out all our great selection of autographed balls). With all the recent twists and turns in this NCAA season, the 2014 tournament seems destined to be a classic!

Who Will Win the NCAA Basketball Tournament This Year?

As we head down the home stretch of the NCAA men’s basketball season and into late February, the wonders of March Madness awaits!  Who will be the Cinderella team that stuns the world in the NCAA tournament with a deep run?  Which strong teams right now will stutter down the stretch and fail to make an impact on this season?  And most importantly, who will rise against all the odds and take the NCAA basketball national championship in 2014?  Let’s discuss this last question right now with the 5 favorites at this point of the season:

Syracuse Orangemen – Ranked at the top of the polls for quite some time, the Orange is the only undefeated team from a major conference.  It seems they were well prepared for their first foray into the ACC!  They’ve handled everyone and always come out on top, including heavyweight teams Duke and North Carolina.  While they have 4 very capable scoring threats including Tyler Ennis and C.J. Fair, creating for a very balanced attack, their defense is among the nation’s best.  Until they lose, they will be ranked number 1 and be the favorites heading into March.  I like their chances!

Florida Gators – Although they have lost twice already this season, they have yet to lose in 2014, and both losses were closely contested against nationally ranked teams: Connecticut and Wisconsin.  They also have a balanced attack led by Casey Prather and a strong defense highlighted by Patric Young.  They have been beaten, but they have been dominating the SEC (including Kentucky) and are looking quite capable of going all the way!

Wichita State – Another undefeated program, this team feels unbeatable and are now ranked 3^rd in the nation.  While they’ve beaten a couple of SEC teams in Alabama and Tennessee, their schedule has been extremely soft.  However, one must praise the fact that they are undefeated, no matter who they have or haven’t played.  27-0 is a massive accomplishment and guys like Cleanthony Early and Ron Baker can ball!  But what happens when they play a major contender late in the tournament or even just another ranked team?  I think they will be stopped at some point fairly early in the NCAA tournament.

Arizona Wildcats – One of the season’s early bloomers, Arizona was set to be the dominant team in the nation, led by Nick Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Brandon Ashley.  Defensively, they are also a very stout team.  However, after beginning the season with 21 straight wins they have now gone 2-2, and have lost to California and Arizona State, neither of which is ranked.  While every team experiences some misfortune during a season, these losses have been embarrassing and suggest Arizona isn’t ready to win a championship.  However, if they can right the ship and get going again, the Wildcats surely are a contender!

Duke Blue Devils – Though they have 5 losses on the season, the Blue Devils are always a force in the NCAA tournament.  It is also worth mentioning that several of their losses have come at the hands of fellow contenders Arizona, Kansas, and Syracuse.  Behind the soon-to-be-NBA star Jabari Parker, the team’s hopes rest on him and his team’s ability to hit 3-pointers.  While such potent scoring can give the team a major lift, what will happen when those long shots don’t fall?  While I do not foresee this Duke team winning the title, Parker is the type of player that can take over the tournament and lead his team to glory all by himself.

So who of these 5 contenders do I predict will win the 2014 NCAA basketball tournament?  Until they are beaten, I have to go with Syracuse!  Let’s go Orange!

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Can Auburn Complete the Miracle Season with a BCS National Title Win over Florida State?

For the Auburn Tigers, this football season has been the most remarkable accomplishment of all time.  After going 3-9 last year, the team brought in a new coach and a new quarterback and had minimal hopes for success.  Until about halfway through the season, Auburn wasn’t even ranked, and they really only came into the BCS National Title conversation two weeks ago with their sensational victory over Alabama.

Meanwhile, their opponent in the title game, Florida State, came into the year with high hopes and a decent ranking.  Although the departing quarterback E.J. Manuel had left a large hole in the most important position on offense, the Seminoles featured a strong defense and great talent at the skill positions.  Incoming Freshman Jameis Winston showed great potential but would be a large question mark heading into the year.  He came through all right, throwing for nearly 4,000 years and 38 touchdowns.  He has also shown great maturity for a youngster, throwing just 10 interceptions, and he is now a finalist for the Heisman trophy.  The team also harbors the number 2 scoring offense in the nation.  Defensively, they have been a fortress, and are the top ranked team in points scored against them.  How can this Auburn team possibly contend?

The most important thing for Auburn is their ability to control games through their top-ranked rushing attack.  They have 3 capable running backs including Heisman hopeful Tre Mason (1621 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns), Corey Grant (650 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns), and Cameron Artis-Payne (609 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns).

But what makes the team the most threatening is their multi-talented quarterback Nick Marshall.  The Junior experienced a rough start to his collegiate career, being dismissed by Georgia and having to earn his way back to Division I football through a year at Garden City Community College.  But he has succeeded and is a key member of this Auburn team.  He routinely runs the option to great success, and even has put up serious numbers on the ground himself (1023 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) amidst his respectable throwing numbers (1759 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions).  Additionally, with the team’s tendency to run the hurry-up offense, their rushing attack capitalizes on exploiting mismatches and wearing out the opponents’ defenses.  Another great factor about Auburn’s fast tempo rushing assault is that they can continue to run even when behind in a game.  They did this to marvelous success against Alabama in the Iron Bowl when they were multiple scores behind.  Gus Malzahn has clearly worked magic with the Auburn Tigers, taking them from a winless record in the SEC in 2012 to the BCS National Championship game this year!

Now facing one of the top national defenses, the Tigers will be surely tested.  But they will also be the strongest matchup that Florida State has faced all year.  While FSU’s average score this year has favored them 50-10 over opponents, those teams of the ACC aren’t quite the most challenging teams around.  Only Clemson and Miami really stood a chance, and one could argue that they were severely over-ranked when those matches occurred.  And so while FSU went undefeated and is statistically favored in this game, Auburn should be pretty evenly matched.  And as evidenced by their ridiculous finishes to recent games, the Tigers seem to have luck on their side.  They even benefitted from Ohio State’s recent loss just to earn a spot in this game.  If there’s a team of destiny, this is it.  Remember, an SEC team has won the title 7 years running.  The real question should be: does Florida State have any chance at winning a title with a Freshman quarterback who is about to play his first game against a serious SEC contender?

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Auburn Host Alabama in an Iron Bowl for the Ages

College football fans gearing up for Saturday have every reason to be excited.  While nearly all the colleges engage in their major rivalry games, one match will certainly be the most watched game in the country: Alabama Crimson Tide versus Auburn Tigers.  Never have the stakes been this high for both teams in the Iron Bowl, and never has the Crimson Tide had to deal with such a high profile opponent in this rivalry during their recent spell of dominance.

Ever since Cam Newton led Auburn to a BCS National Championship in 2010 and departed, Alabama has pounded the Tigers, winning both the 2011 and 2012 affairs by large margins.  Those Auburn teams were not very competitive, but this year it has all changed.  While Alabama is ranked number 1 and undefeated, Auburn is 10-1 and ranked number 4 in the nation.

This game has massive title implications.  The winner will head to the SEC Championship and potentially the BCS National Title game.  The loser will still reach a major bowl game, but will surely be disappointed in seeing their championship hopes denied by their fiercest rival.  This is truly a match for the ages!

So how will it play out?  The stats and history all point to a victory for Alabama.  They have earned the past 2 National Titles and have been ranked number 1 all season long.  This program has gotten ridiculously good in the past 3 years.  Their defense is the best in the country, allowing just 90 rushing yards per contest.  Led by senior linebacker and tackling machine C.J. Mosley, and the exciting freshman defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, the Crimson Tide run defense is exceptional and has enabled their success.

Meanwhile, Auburn finds most of its offensive success through rushing the ball.  Something has got to give!  Ranked second in the nation with over 300 ground yards per game, the Tigers’ rushing attack is a 4-headed monster, led by exciting junior tailback Tre Mason.  Additionally, versatile quarterback Nick Marshall likes to run and has 9 rushing touchdowns on the year, while Cameron Artis-Payne also gets in on the action with over 6 yards per carry on his touches.  And then there is Corey Grant, a former Alabama player who crossed a serious line in joining the Tigers.  A dynamic playmaking threat with the ball who is an excellent return man, Grant can be the X-factor in this game.

So what should happen with this key matchup?  No one knows for sure, but if Alabama can halt this rushing attack they will win easily.  Should Auburn run for several hundred yards, they will have every chance to snatch the victory in a tight game.

In the air, Alabama’s senior quarterback A.J. McCarron is a Heisman frontrunner who has made countless throws and smart decisions this year, limiting himself to just 5 interceptions.  However, Auburn’s defense features two safeties known for interceptions in Ryan Smith and Robinson Therezie.  With the deep ball likely to be a dangerous proposition, McCarron will be looking to his own ground game for support and tossing shorter throws.  Crimson Tide tailbacks T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake will be keys to the game.  Against a rather average Auburn rush defense, they will certainly be able to gain yards.  The big question is whether or not Auburn can counter that with a successful ground game of their own.

Now, in reality this is a game that looks to heavily favor Alabama.  Most the stats sway in their favor, they are seeking a 3^rd straight BCS National Championship, and they are the most feared team in college football with a menacing defense.  But in some weird way, I see this as exactly the game they may lose.  College football games (especially rivalry games) are always tensely fought.  Upsets happen a lot.  And as we saw two weeks ago with the ridiculous last minute touchdown pass of destiny over Georgia, Auburn has good fortune on their side this season.  And after suffering two brutal defeats at the hands of Alabama the last two years, the Tigers will surely be up for a fight in front of their home fans.  Against the odds, I think Auburn will manage to gain some yardage on the ground and might just even escape with a last second field goal to win: 20-17.

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Is College Football Set For 1 Last BCS Championship Controversy?

 With the NCAA college football season heading down its final stretch, the time has come for preparations for the BCS National Championship match.  2013 is the final year in which there will be a single game that determines the winner, as in 2014 a 4-game playoff will be adopted by the NCAA.  But as it stands, this year could end up being quite controversial, as 5 major national contenders are undefeated and could potentially finish the year as so, leaving one final major controversy in the old BCS system that has plagued the game for so many years.

Right now the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida State Seminoles, Ohio State Buckeyes, Baylor Bears, and the Oregon Ducks have yet to lose a game.  They each have a legitimate case for being the nation’s best team, and yet each is still facing major challenges up ahead.  By the end of the season, which of these teams will still be hanging strong and ready to win a BCS title?  Or will they all lose, opening the floodgates for numerous other team’s faint hopes?  Or will we be facing a final controversy with 3 or 4 teams equally qualified for that title match?

Fortunately, there are countless big games ahead for all these teams, meaning someone will surely slip up.  Baylor has had the softest schedule so far this year and haven’t played a top 25 opponent all season, but are facing a make-or-break section of their schedule ahead.  They face 10^th ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday, and then have games against the Texas Tech Raiders and Oklahoma State Cowboys (both ranked).  Texas also looms large at the end of their season.  I foresee at least one loss for the team that currently has the nation’s best offense.

Another team with a tough road ahead is Alabama, who faces LSU and Auburn in addition to another SEC force should they make the SEC Championship.  If anyone is prepared for such a challenge Alabama surely is, as Nick Saban is vying for his 3^rd straight national title with quarterback AJ McCarron.

Oregon has been a usual national contender in recent years.  With a formidable rushing attack and a strong defense, they have every chance to be in the title game.  Up ahead though will be a major task against Stanford that could decide their fate this weekend, though the rest of their schedule is favorable.

Ohio State has probably the easiest run-in, with their massive rivalry against Michigan looking to be the toughest test.  Ohio State went undefeated last year but was ineligible for the postseason.  Head coach Urban Meyer looks to have righted the ship and could well see this team through to the big match.  However, the soft Big Ten has presented favorable matchups for the Buckeyes and it would be curious to see how they would fare against an Alabama or Oregon.

Lastly, there is Florida State, with freshman quarterback Jameis Winston. The team looks a major force and to me to be the best team in the nation.  They have already passed major tests against Clemson and Miami, though they may have to play Miami once more in the ACC title game and still must play rivals Florida.  Nevertheless, their dominance in those games suggests they can handle another test.

So how will it all play out?  The beauty of college football is that we really don’t know.  Games can always go either way, and chances are some of these losses may even occur against teams not deemed that big of a threat.  However, my money is on a Florida State – Alabama title game, with Alabama’s experience pulling them through.  However, I also have a hunch that the old BCS format will go out with a bang, and that either Ohio State or Oregon could get frustrated and left out.  Either way, it will surely be an interesting final month of college football to determine who plays in that glorious BCS Championship game!

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Will Anyone Be Able to Dethrone the Alabama Crimson Tide this Year?

Although there are still quite a few undefeated schools at this midpoint in the college football season, there is one university that stands head and shoulders above all the others: Alabama.  The Alabama Crimson Tide has won the last two BCS National Championships and looks just as capable of winning it again this year.  While some people predicted that the team would suffer after losing 9 key players to the NFL Draft, including the majority of their offensive line, the team just keeps rolling along with big victories.

Although Alabama plays in the dreaded SEC, their schedule is looking quite soft.  If they can win a major matchup against LSU in a couple weeks, and win the SEC Championship in December, Alabama will likely be headed to another BCS National title game.  And who would possibly be talented enough to stop this team from a third straight title?

Oregon looks capable offensively, but everyone knows what typically happens when they go up against a legitimate SEC defense.  Clemson is a strong team, but we’ve all witnessed their slip-ups against minor colleges.  Ohio State may return to the title game as well, though I still don’t see them as really being able to beat the Crimson Tide.  Nick Saban has instituted a program that is unstoppable.

Losing leading running back Eddie Lacy was supposed to cause a disruption in the team’s offense.  Enter TJ Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, and Jalston Fowler.  The defensive backfield was supposed to become problematic following Dee Milliner’s departure to the NFL.  Well, now safety Vinnie Sunseri sparks fear into opposing quarterbacks, having returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns, including a game-clincher from Johnny Manziel.

The team simply reloads every year, and their coaches get every recruit trained to the fullest of their capabilities, making Alabama the most fearsome and talented college football team in America.  And after so much success, teams now legitimately fear this team, which further adds to their strength.  They play with confidence and dominance, and haven’t been challenged since their thriller against Texas A&M.

Looking ahead, their schedule really is quite soft.  Perhaps the game at Auburn to close out the season could be a potential slip-up, but I would be greatly surprised.

Another factor going in the team’s favor is the leadership under senior quarterback AJ McCarron.  While some critics point to the fact that the talent around him boosts his stats, McCarron has done everything that has been asked of him and makes very few mistakes.  He can make all the necessary throws and is surely going to be given an opportunity in the NFL.

Therefore, I really don’t think anyone is capable of dethroning Alabama this year.  But I could be wrong.  College football is all about strange upsets, and the team might even fall to Arkansas this week.  But this is where Saban’s coaching comes in to play.  Alabama players always come into games focused and ready to win, no matter who is the opponent.  They never seem to slip up against the teams they should beat, and their success stems from this intensity.  Something tells me Alabama might just be celebrating another National Championship at the end of this season yet again.

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Latest Johnny Manziel Scandal Could Rattle NCAA Core Principles

The story was too good to be true. Johnny Manziel erupted onto the college football scene as a freshman starting quarterback, shattering records along the way to a Heisman trophy award, the first ever for a freshman player. He passed or ran for 47 touchdowns on the year, completed a marvelous upset over #1 ranked Alabama, and led Texas A&M to a Cotton Bowl Victory, losing just 2 games to Florida and LSU in the entire season.

 

But his time off the field has shown a different story. He was arrested last summer for getting into a fight. This offseason, he was apparently too hung over to help coach at the Manning Passing Academy. He then got himself kicked out of a party. He has expressed a lack of happiness of playing college football. But most recently, he has come under NCAA investigation for profiting from selling his autograph.

 

The last problem is his biggest. The NCAA has been suspending athletes for years for profiting from their fame, and Johnny Manziel is now running the risk of a major suspension.

 

The trouble for the NCAA is that Manziel has quickly become college football’s star player, by a large margin. He was the story of the season last year, inflicting the lone defeat upon the National Champions, Alabama. The freshman quarterback has brought excitement to the league, and was poised for several more years of great play and high ratings. Now it’s all up in the air.

The NCAA finds itself in a predicament. They must punish the player merely because they’ve become so ruthless in their suspensions in years past. But Manziel is a premier quarterback, a star player. If Manziel is suspended for the season, college football will take a step back and ratings will decline.

 

We all saw how a similar situation played out with Cam Newton, who led the Auburn Tigers to a National Title after allegations surfaced that he had demanded pay from his college team. The NCAA was able to weasel their way out of that scandal by pinning all the blame on Newton’s father.

But with Manziel we have photographic proof of him signing autographs. Multiple sources say that he accepted a reported $7,500 for those signatures. Manziel’s father has already distanced himself from the player, stating his general concern over his son’s behavior. There’s nobody at fault but Johnny Manziel and he must be punished, or else the NCAA will have to entirely change their position in regards to players making money.

 

And what does this all mean for Johnny Manziel and his potential NFL future? Surely, a lengthy suspension would be an alarming result for such a talented player. He may sit the year and enter the NFL draft, but how many teams will take a chance on a player with so much baggage who clearly sees himself above the rules? He may have all the natural talent in the world, but becoming a successful NFL quarterback requires a larger sense of maturity.

 

Regardless, his talent is such that some team will take a chance on him. Will he develop into a successful professional quarterback? Only time will tell. For now, let us all sit back and enjoy the media blasting of both Manziel and the NCAA, who will both be scrambling to portray themselves in the best manner.

 

Let us know what you think about Manziel's issues off the field and if it should matter. Then come visit us at www.AAASportsMemorabilia.com to find your next collectible. Our autographed memorabilia is guaranteed for life to be authentic and we are able to provide this guarantee as all of our autographed memorabilia comes from such companies as Mounted Memories, Upper Deck, Real Deal, and many other reputable companies.

2013 NCAA Final Four Prediction: Who Wants it Most?

At this stage of the NCAA tournament, every team is riding the emotional high that only a serious Final Four tournament run can produce. Having already won four straight games against quality opponents, the combined teams of Louisville Cardinals, Syracuse Orangemen, Michigan Wolverines, and Wichita State Shockers must truly believe that they have a golden chance at tournament glory. But belief isn’t everything, and only one team can actually win it all. So which of these teams has that all-empowering “it” factor this year? My money is on the Orange of Syracuse.

All the experts are picking Louisville, the only remaining number 1 seed, and some of the more risk-loving fellows have chosen Michigan and their high-flying offense led by sensational point guard, Trey Burke. But for me there is something special about Syracuse and their zone defense that held Marquette to just 39 points in the Elite 8 round. Coach Jim Boeheim finally has this Syracuse team playing defense to its full potential and the results in the NCAA tournament have been impressive.

 

Opposing teams simply cannot find a way through the zone marking, and the guards have been stout in defending the 3-point shots, limiting opponents’ offensive production in the tournament.

 

Guard Michael Carter-Williams has been sensational in the NCAA tournament, and scored 24 points against the Indian Hoosiers, another number 1 seed. Also, forward C.J. Fair has been a solid performer and has averaged over 14 points per game. One of Syracuse’s strong points is that they have four players averaging over 10 points per game, making them a threatening side all over the court. With their stingy defense, they will stay close in the Final Four games, and this will give them every opportunity to win.

 

Standing in their way is mighty Michigan though. The Wolverines have a very dangerous offense, and it will be curious to see how they match up against the zone defense of Syracuse. Although they are just a 4 seed in this tournament, Michigan was undefeated and ranked number 1 in the nation back in January. The team probably has the best player in Trey Burke, who distributes well and scores lots of points. The defensive play of Syracuse’s guards in defending him will be an intriguing matchup in their semifinal fixture.

 

Chances are that the final match will feature Louisville, as they are too talented to be upended by Wichita State. Louisville is reeling from the heartbreaking injury to Kevin Ware, whose leg was snapped in the Elite 8 game against Duke. However, Ware was mostly a role player, and so although Louisville is rallying around this injury they still have most of their talent on the court, which makes them a quite dangerous side indeed.

 

Guards Peyton Siva and Russ Smith have been excellent recently and are talented at generating turnovers by the opposition while finding points as well. Although Louisville is not that great of a 3-point shooting team, their defensive work is the best in the country, and they will give the other team headaches all night long.

 

For Syracuse, which also prides itself on strong defense, this matchup could be tense and low scoring in the final. Although fans would probably like to see more points scored, the match will likely come down to the wire and maybe even a last second shot. I simply feel that Syracuse will become the heroes and will win another NCAA tournament, their first since Carmelo Anthony helped the Orange cut the nets in 2003.

 

Whoever comes out on top, the 2013 Final Four will surely be exciting. No matter which team you root for, AAA Sports Memorabilia has a large collegiate memorabilia collection. Once the top team is determined, we will be adding Final Four championship collectibles for that team. All of our collectibles are officially licensed and all of our autographed memorabilia is guaranteed for life to be authentic.

Washington Pulls Off Third, Huge Last-Second Upset of a Top-Ranked Team in Double Overtime

There is nothing, repeat nothing, that succeeds like
success.

For the Washington Huskies, their last victory was their
third trip to the top of the mountain in the past two
years, and the view was indeed sweet.

Last season, it their third game under new coach Steve
Sarkisian and his coaching staff of hard-working, excited
motivators, the Huskies upset then 3rd-ranked Southern
California 16-13 at home on a 22-yard field goal by Erik
Folk with 3 seconds remaining.

That incredible finish from a team that had gone winless
(0-12) the prior year, really set the tone for what is
happening this season.

After being slammed 56-21 at home this year by the
6th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Huskies packed their
bags and headed to LA to confront the 18th-ranked SouthernCal Trojans.

Once again, Washington pulled off a 32-31 upset with
another 32-yard field goal by Erik Folk as time expired,
proving that there is a world of difference between wanting
to win, preparing to win, and having a NEED to win.

Arizona State rolled into Husky Stadium the following week,
and once again the youth, inexperience and lack of focus by
the players caught up to them as the Sun Devils won, 24-14.

But Washington refused to buckle twice in a row. A really
physical, nasty Oregon State Beaver team hit Husky Stadium
and was greeted with a firestorm as the Huskies jumped out
to a 21-zip lead. The Beavers refused to blink, and the
game ended at 21-up after a scoreless 4th quarter.

Both teams scored a touchdown in the 1st overtime, and the
Huskies scored first again in the 2nd overtime on a 21-yard
pass from Jake Locker to Jermaine Kearse. Jacquizz Rodgers
then scored on a 2-yard run and Oregon coach Mike Riley
decided to go for a 2-point conversion and the victory
rather than deal with a 3rd overtime period.

Not to be outdone, the Huskies needed a play and got one
from linebacker Cort Dennison, who disrupted the conversion
pass to Joe Halahuni as the ball went through his hands and
fell to the ground, signaling another impressive,
last-second, 35-34 victory.

It is important to note that Dennison did not try to do too
much defensively. He did exactly what he was supposed to
do, pick up the receiver in that formation as the play
developed, and he was successful in disrupting the
potential winning touchdown catch.

There were enough heroes to fill a playbook, but two really
stood out - Senior quarterback Jake Locker threw a
career-high 5 touchdown passes, and junior wide receiver
Jermaine Kearse caught a career-high 4 touchdown passes.

These three stunning victories have given the Huskies a
trifecta or "hat trick" of upsets worth remembering, and
have brought the Washington Huskies back into the game on a
national level - it is hard to ignore teams that
consistently play better than their experience and mistakes
might justify.

Sark, as Steve Sarkisian has become known around the
Montlake Campus, said it best: "Winning is hard . . .
preparing to win is hard . . . you earn victory . . . it
doesn't come easy." In the Husky locker room, a sign on the
wall boils it down - Expect to Win.

The University of Washington football program under head
coach Steve Sarkisian, defensive coordinator Nick Holt,
offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and the rest of the
Husky coaching staff is just getting started.

One can only guess where the Huskies will be two years from
now. Wherever the Huskies are, it is almost a given that it
will not be dull for long.


----------------------------------------------------
Ed Bagley's Articles is Writer, Author and Editor Ed
Bagley's personal web site with hundreds of original
articles on 46 different subjects. Ed Bagley's Articles is
a treasure trove of feel good stories, satire, insight, and
frank commentary on our life and times in America. Find Ed
Bagley's Articles at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

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Top 25 Poll - Week 7 - We Have a New No. 1 - Auburn

The AP Top 25 and Coaches Top 25 College Football Polls are
nationally recognized, but after 50+ years of watching
and/or covering college football games, and being a former
sports editor for a daily newspaper, here is another view
of the rankings:

1) Auburn (7-0) - Overwhelmed 12th-ranked Arkansas 65-43.
Still unbeaten and has two wins against current AP Top 25
teams - South Carolina and Arkansas. Hosts 6th-ranked LSU
next. Must win to stay on top. Strength of schedule is
better than Oregon.

2) Oregon Ducks (6-0) - Idle this week. Has beaten exactly one
Top 25 team - Stanford. Hosts up and down UCLA Bruins next. Better
win big.

3) Oklahoma (6-0) - Still unbeaten and has two wins
against current Top 25 teams - Florida State Seminoles and Texas. Has
played the 15th toughest schedule in the country, and the
toughest schedule among the 10 unbeaten teams. Next up for
the Sooners: Must travel to unbeaten Missouri.

4) Michigan State Spartans (7-0) - Still unbeaten with one Top 25
win - Wisconsin. Must travel to Northwestern next, and must
win big.

5) Boise State Broncos (6-0) - Still unbeaten with one Top 25 win
- Virginia Tech. Hosts mediocre Louisiana Tech next. Does
have numbers, as in 3rd nationally in scoring offense, 4th
in total offense, 3rd in scoring defense and 1st in total
defense, but does play a lot of really weak sisters.

6) Wisconsin (6-1) - Lost to Michigan State but just upset
No. 1 Ohio State, kicking the Buckeyes senseless with
smash-mouth football. When the AP and Coaches Polls both
had Ohio State No. 1 last week, I had them at No. 5, and
said they had beaten no one. The first decent team they
play beats them easily. Ohio State will be No. 5 in my poll
this week only in their dreams. Wisconsin travels to Iowa
next. This should be a good match-up as both teams like to
run into each other.

7) TCU (7-0) - Has not beaten a Top 25 team but, like
Boise State, has some numbers against weak competition --
like 7th nationally in scoring offense, 15th in total
offense, 1st in scoring defense and 2nd in total defense.
Hosts Air Force next, had better win.

8) LSU Tigers (7-0) - Has not beaten a current Top 25 team, has
some very unimpressive victories, and just had a lousy
showing in beating AA McNeese State. Only here because they
have played the 2nd toughest schedule among the 10 unbeaten
teams remaining. Must travel to Auburn next, and the LSU
Tigers had better beat the Auburn Tigers or they will not
be 8th in my poll next week. One loss will give me a real
excuse to downgrade them.

9) Utah (6-0) - Has not beaten a current Top 25 team, and
has played the weakest schedule among the unbeaten teams.
Hosts lousy Colorado State Rams team next, had better win, and
win big.

10) Oklahoma State (6-0) - Has not beaten a current Top 25
team, and has played the second weakest schedule among the
unbeaten teams. Hosts Nebraska next, has chance to show its
stuff. Better beat the Cornhuskers to remain here.

11) Missouri (6-0) - Has not beaten a current Top 25 team.
Hosts Oklahoma next and must beat the Sooners to remain
here.

12) Arizona (5-1) - Has beaten one Top 25 team - Iowa.
That's more than Stanford can say. Just had lame win over
Washington State and hosts the Washington Huskies next. Had
better beat the Huskies to remain here.

13) Iowa (5-1) - Has not beaten a current Top 25 team.
Hosts Wisconsin next. Should Iowa Hawkeyes win, they will move
up and Wisconsin will move down.

14) Nebraska (5-1) - Has not beaten a current Top 25 team.
Why is that so hard to believe? Hype only goes so far. Just
lost to the Texas Longhorns, who might have finally found
themselves. If the Cornhuskers thought Texas was just a
barrel of laughs, they get to travel to Oklahoma State
next. Nebraska had better beat the Cowboys or they will
really drop in my poll.

15) Alabama (6-1) - Just came off a really lame 23-10
victory over Mississippi. It's a good thing for the CrimsonTide that the wheels did not come off the wagon, like they did for Florida. Travel to Tennessee next, had better beat
the Vols or they will not be here next week.

16) Ohio State (6-1) - I said I threw them a bone last
week in putting them at No. 5 in my poll. Now you know why.
The Ohio State Buckeyes met their first real opponent all year and got
a good butt kicking from Wisconsin. I am throwing the
Buckeyes another bone this week because they host a really
weak Purdue team and might take their record to 7-1.

17) Stanford (5-1) - Idle this week. Travel to Washington
next, and absolutely must win or drop in this poll.

18) Florida State (6-1) - Just racked up weak win over
Boston College. Travel to North Carolina State next. The
Wolfpack just lost to East Carolina, so they don't have
much going on. The Siminoles need to win big against NC
State.

19) Texas (4-2) - First two-loss team in my poll. Just
might be getting it together after big road victory against
Nebraska. It was so much fun watching Bo Pelini torque his
jaws. Longhorns face Iowa State next, and must crush the
Cyclones to win more support.

20) South Carolina (4-2) - Gamecocks lost to Auburn by 8
and Kentucky by 3. Has Top 25 win over Alabama. Played 18th
toughest schedule in the country. Travels to Vanderbilt
next and must absolutely win.

21) Southern California (5-2) - Trojans lost to Washington
by 1 and Stanford by 2. Has now beaten Hawaii, Virginia,
Minnesota, Washington State and California. Idle this
coming week and then hosts Oregon in big time showdown.

22) Arkansas (4-2) - Just lost to Auburn 65-43 and lost to
Alabama by 4. At least the Arkansas Razorbacks are playing some
tougher competition. Hosts Mississippi next, and must win.

23) Kansas State (5-1) - Lost to Nebraska, but has played a
better schedule than a lot of teams and just whipped rival
Kansas 59-7 in an away game.

24) West Virginia (5-1) - Lost on the road to LSU by 6.
Faces really easy Syracuse team next. Has played an
incredibly weak schedule of nobodies.

25) Hawaii (5-2) - Lost to Southern California and
Colorado, but has also beaten Army, AA Charleston Southern,
Louisiana Tech, Fresno State and now Nevada while playing
the 19th toughest schedule in the country. Not too shabby.
Probably just as good if not better than Virginia Tech,
Mississippi State or Miami-Fl. The Warriors travel to a
very weak Utah State team next and must dominate the Aggies
to remain here.

At least 2 of college football's 10 remaining, unbeaten
major teams will lose this weekend as 4 of them clash with
perfect records. To remain No. 5 Auburn must beat LSU this
weekend in the marquee game.


----------------------------------------------------
Ed Bagley's Articles is Writer, Author and Editor Ed
Bagley's personal web site with hundreds of original
articles on 46 different subjects. Ed Bagley's Articles is
a treasure trove of feel good stories, satire, insight, and
frank commentary on our life and times in America. Find Ed
Bagley's Articles at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

AAA Sports Memorabilia has great selection of autographed collegiate memorabilia. We have been helping sports collectors since 2006 to start or expand their collections. Whether you are looking for an officially licensed collectible for your favorite team, or an autographed item of your favorite star, we have what you are looking for. Our autographed memorabilia includes certificates of authenticity and lifetime guarantees.

2008 Independence Bowl - Louisiana Tech Tops Northern Illinois, Notches 7th Comeback Win of Season

You can excuse the good people of Ruston, Louisiana if they
feel that any game played by their Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
is not over until the Bulldogs come from behind to win.
That would be because the Bulldogs logged their 7th
come-from-behind victory of the season in the Independence
Bowl Saturday (12-28-08), beating Northern Illinois 17-10.

The win was sweet for Derek Dooley as it represented his
first bowl victory as a head coach. Dooley is none other
than a former protege of Alabama head coach
Nick Saban and son of the legendary Georgia coach and
athletic director Vince Dooley. Young Dooley used his
special teams, defense and a running game to turn back
Northern Illinois.

Senior defensive back Weldon Brown proved to be the
Bulldogs big stopper. Brown stopped one Husky scoring
threat with a shoestring tackle to set up a 4th down, then
batted down the ensuing pass.  He also recovered a fumbled
punt to set up a field goal attempt, and ended one of two
late Husky drives with an interception when the game was on
the line. Brown finished with 14 tackles and the Most
Valuable Defensive Player award.

On special teams, sophomore wide receiver Phil Livas took a
kickoff return to the house for a 97-yard score, and junior
running back Dan Porter rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown.

The postseason win was Louisiana Tech's first in 31 years;
their last win also came in the Independence Bowl in 1977.
The victory left the Bulldogs with their first 8-win season
in 9 years. They finished the year at 8-5 while Northern
Illinois slid to 6-7.

Louisiana Tech was not even expected to be in a bowl game
but was selected when neither the Southeastern Conference
(SEC) nor Big 12 could produce a participant.

Derek Dooley inherited a team that went 3-10. He improved
the Bulldogs to 5-7 last year and now has them at 8-5 and a
bowl victory in his second full season. Dooley's Bulldogs
upset Mississippi State to kick off this season and then
won 4 of their last 5 games to get to the Independence Bowl
and generate more glory for the Bulldog faithful.

Louisiana Tech and Derek Dooley are on the way up. We know
this because the Bulldogs scored 8 non-offensive touchdowns
this season to tie for the most in major college football.
When you score on defense or special teams, everyone gets
excited.

In addition to Livas' 97-yard TD return in the Independence
Bowl, he returned 2 punts for touchdowns during the regular
season. The last player to return a kickoff for a touchdown
in the Independence Bowl was a guy named Deuce McAllister
who did it for Mississippi 10 years ago.



----------------------------------------------------
"2008 Hawaii Bowl - Charlie Weis Era at Notre Dame Finally
Arrives, Irish Speed Past Hawaii, 49-21"
"So Who Are the Current Worst Players in Division 1-A
Football in the Nation?"
"Famous Quotes by Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne and Lou
Holtz During Football's Annual Bowl Season"
Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

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2008 Cotton Bowl - Explosive Ole Miss Pulls Upset, Topples #8 Texas Tech, 47-34

In his 10th year of coaching at Arkansas last season,
Houston Nutt went 8-4 and beat No. 1-ranked LSU 50-48 in
overtime in his final game. It was not good enough, so he
resigned amid controversy over his performance and was
hired by Ole Miss to coach Mississippi.

Arkansas went 5-7 this year and was not even bowl eligible.
Houston Nutt inherited a Mississippi team that was 3-8 last
season, was winless in the SEC and had not been to a bowl
game since 2003 when Eli Manning was quarterback. This year
Ole Miss was 9-4 after polishing off the mighty Texas Tech Red Raiders 47-34 in the 2008 Cotton Bowl.

To say that Arkansas' loss became Mississippi's gain is
nothing short of a massive understatement. Ole Miss
students, fans and backers are giddy with excitement and
the promise of new glory for their beloved Ole Miss, and
well they should be.

No. 20-ranked Mississippi came into the Cotton Bowl at 8-4
after starting the season at 3-4 and smarting from
consecutive losses to South Carolina and Alabama after
pulling off a huge 31-30 upset on the road against then No.
4-ranked Florida. Ole Miss would win its next 5 games, and
Florida would ultimately win the national title by beating
Oklahoma 24-14 in the BCS National Championship Game.

No. 8-ranked Texas Tech came into the Cotton Bowl at 11-1
with a 39-33 last-second signature victory over Texas. The
Red Raiders explosive offense would end the year ranked No.
1 in the country in passing offense with 413+ yards per
game, ranked No. 4 nationally in total offense with 531+
yards per game, and ranked No. 3 in scoring offense with
43+ points per game.

Against this backdrop, Houston Nutt's Ole Miss players did
him and themselves proud. For openers, they were the only
team to beat the eventual national champion Florida Gators.

Mississippi spotted Texas Tech a 14-point lead on a couple
of turnovers and then sophomore quarterback Jevan Snead led
Ole Miss to touchdowns on their next 3 possessions, an
8-yard pass to junior tight end Gerald Harris, a 41-yard
pass to senior wide receiver Mike Wallace and another
21-yard pass to Harris.

A 27-yard field goal by junior kicker Joshua Shene put the
Rebels up 24-21 at the half. Ole Miss would outscore the
Red Raiders touted offense 23-13 in the last half to make
the 47-34 score stick.

A nifty 65-yard interception return for a touchdown by
junior cornerback Marshay Green lifted Ole Miss to a new
level. Green would also race another 63 yards on a punt
return for an apparent TD that was called back by an
official who ruled him out-of-bounds on the "nine and
two-thirds yard line". Have you ever heard of anything so
dippy?

No matter. Snead would complete 18-of-29 for 292 yards and
3 touchdowns. Freshman running back Brandon Bolden would
pick up 101 yards on 11 carries (9.1 yard average), and
little 5-foot-8, 165-pound junior wide receiver Dexter
McCluster would pick up another 97 yards on 14 carries (6.9
yard average). McCluster also caught 6 passes for 83 yards.

Take note that Mississippi's 4 losses this year totaled a
combined 19 points, which makes it even more serious when
Texas Tech losing coach Mike Leach said "They're an
incredibly good football team." Glad you noticed, Mike.

This contest made history in at least three ways. It was
the last Cotton Bowl that will be played in the Cotton Bowl
Stadium, ending a 73-year run. Next year the Cotton Bowl
will move to the new $1.1 billion stadium being built for
the NFL Dallas Cowboys. Second, the final 47-34 score was
the most points (81) to ever be scored in a Cotton Bowl
game. Third, the 88,175 fans on hand represented the
biggest crowd ever.

Trust me when I say that you have not heard the last of
first-year coach Houston Nutt and his Ole Miss players.
Sound the horn because the Rebels are coming.


----------------------------------------------------
"2008 Hawaii Bowl - Charlie Weis Era at Notre Dame Finally
Arrives, Irish Speed Past Hawaii, 49-21"
"So Who Are the Current Worst Players in Division 1-A
Football in the Nation?"
"Famous Quotes by Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne and Lou
Holtz During Football's Annual Bowl Season"
Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

AAA Sports Memorabilia