There haven't been the upsets or shockers like a seven days ago, but still, it's been a pretty quality week of football.
And Rivalry Day is here.
One feeling has stuck all week regarding The COFH Bowl - Clean Old Fashioned Hate - in Atlanta:
That after a sluggish first quarter, Georgia starts to roll. And should that happen, it'll get a little testy.
The mouthings of Lough.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Closure impossible in Sandusky scandal, Paterno affair
I listened, talked to a variety of people - some smart, some close-minded, some ignorant of the facts, some lucid - and cringed while watching some TV.
And it was numbing.
I grew up about two hilly hours from Penn State, didn't grow up a Penn State fan.
Between adulthood and the job, I never really warmed to Joe Paterno. I found him fairly arrogant and smug and snotty, and part of this "bigger than the university" arrogance that we got from Bowden, and to an extent, Bear. This garbage about letting a coach - a coach - retire on his own terms is a billboard for ignorance and idiocy.
And it is of decades of manipulation, and yet the latest example of how remarkably misguided the priorities of a large chunk of this country are.
And it was numbing.
I grew up about two hilly hours from Penn State, didn't grow up a Penn State fan.
Between adulthood and the job, I never really warmed to Joe Paterno. I found him fairly arrogant and smug and snotty, and part of this "bigger than the university" arrogance that we got from Bowden, and to an extent, Bear. This garbage about letting a coach - a coach - retire on his own terms is a billboard for ignorance and idiocy.
And it is of decades of manipulation, and yet the latest example of how remarkably misguided the priorities of a large chunk of this country are.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Pity the poor Georgia fans
It's a shame.
Georgia is 5-2, a record that's really not bad.
It's better than Texas, whose implosion in 2010 was worse than Georgia's.
It's better than defending national champ Auburn. It's equal to Texas A&M, that jewel that's really going to raise the SEC's stature, and to West Virginia, which put only 13 fewer yards on LSU than Oregon and Florida combined (548-533).
And it's better than Florida.
But God, it clearly sucks to be a Georgia fan.
Georgia is 5-2, a record that's really not bad.
It's better than Texas, whose implosion in 2010 was worse than Georgia's.
It's better than defending national champ Auburn. It's equal to Texas A&M, that jewel that's really going to raise the SEC's stature, and to West Virginia, which put only 13 fewer yards on LSU than Oregon and Florida combined (548-533).
And it's better than Florida.
But God, it clearly sucks to be a Georgia fan.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Who's next, Tulsa?
The idiocy continues.
Missouri to the SEC is a worse move for the conference than Texas A&M.
"Hey, it brings the mid-Kansas market to the SEC."
Silly.
Missouri does fit better geographically. It's closest SEC program is only 5-1/2 hours away in Fayetteville.
At this idiotic rate, the geographic center of the SEC is going to be Tunica.
Missouri to the SEC is a worse move for the conference than Texas A&M.
"Hey, it brings the mid-Kansas market to the SEC."
Silly.
Missouri does fit better geographically. It's closest SEC program is only 5-1/2 hours away in Fayetteville.
At this idiotic rate, the geographic center of the SEC is going to be Tunica.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Who kidnapped the Falcons?
Atlanta is known for traffic and smog, and apparently both are doing something to the Falcons.
They went from sexy - albeit in part because of too much makeup - to homely, and it's hard to figure out, on the surface, why.
Atlanta upgraded the passing game with Julio Jones, but downgraded the offense by letting lineman Harvey Dahl go.
They went from sexy - albeit in part because of too much makeup - to homely, and it's hard to figure out, on the surface, why.
Atlanta upgraded the passing game with Julio Jones, but downgraded the offense by letting lineman Harvey Dahl go.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Make this check payable to Albert Pujols
Dear St. Louis Cards management,
I've been to your city twice, once as an adult. First time I've stayed in a really classy hotel, and oh my God, the bed was unbelievable.
Peter Angelos having crashed the Orioles into a river a few decades ago - that, and distance from Baltimore as an adult, and the job - have soured me a bit on baseball. As have the too-long season, Tim McCarver, and a few other things.
But we all know how great a baseball town St. Louis is. Growing up as an Oriole fan, I know what it's like to cheer for players with integrity, players who stayed with one team forever or for nearly all of their career: Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken, Boog Powell, Paul Blair, Ken Singleton, Jim Palmer, etc.
I'm not one for blank checks, by any stretch, especially since so many go to the blank-headed players. I hate that Albert, by all accounts a hugely classy guy, is playing a numbers game. Er, that Albert's agent is.
I've been to your city twice, once as an adult. First time I've stayed in a really classy hotel, and oh my God, the bed was unbelievable.
Peter Angelos having crashed the Orioles into a river a few decades ago - that, and distance from Baltimore as an adult, and the job - have soured me a bit on baseball. As have the too-long season, Tim McCarver, and a few other things.
But we all know how great a baseball town St. Louis is. Growing up as an Oriole fan, I know what it's like to cheer for players with integrity, players who stayed with one team forever or for nearly all of their career: Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken, Boog Powell, Paul Blair, Ken Singleton, Jim Palmer, etc.
I'm not one for blank checks, by any stretch, especially since so many go to the blank-headed players. I hate that Albert, by all accounts a hugely classy guy, is playing a numbers game. Er, that Albert's agent is.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Splat: yes, that would be the sound of a baseball season ending
I doubt many people saw the warning Wednesday night from the state's Department of Health.
Those watching the Braves-Phillies game were advised not to eat or drink during the game for fear of choking, and that they should see a medical professional if or when their throats tightened during game.
There was also a notice sent out to state law enforcement officials to patrol bridges with a little more frequency.
Those watching the Braves-Phillies game were advised not to eat or drink during the game for fear of choking, and that they should see a medical professional if or when their throats tightened during game.
There was also a notice sent out to state law enforcement officials to patrol bridges with a little more frequency.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Favre's back, sort of and only temporarily; whew
Well, here's Brett Favre again, fixing to be in front of us on the tube.
God bless us all, it's not about a comeback. Proving that TV networks will sign anybody, Favre is becoming an announcer.
At this point, it might only be for one game, Southern Miss vs. Rice, and it's on Comcast Sports Southeast.
God bless us all, it's not about a comeback. Proving that TV networks will sign anybody, Favre is becoming an announcer.
At this point, it might only be for one game, Southern Miss vs. Rice, and it's on Comcast Sports Southeast.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Dear College FB dimwits, here's your plan
OK, a draft of your plan.
(Update: This was created during the summer, at the early stages of A&M-to-SEC talk. It hasn't been tweaked since then, including the absurd additions by the ACC of Pitt and Syracuse. Didn't get around to fuller summaries and analyses per conference - I put 'Inc.' for those - but it's something to play with. Until my tweaked common sense version in a day or two. And it was originally seven - as noted - but it now six.
(We're getting to the point of where really 10-team conferences are best, and why can't they have a conference championship game with five-team divisions? Who said? And next: we need a college football mediator/czar to get all these greedy ----- together and keep the networks out. TV will get enough control eventually, but let's keep the control within the university system.)
I remember years and years ago coming up with new conference alignments on my own, may still have that sheet somewhere. But it was probably 15-20 years ago, which counts as forever in college sports. Shoot, look at the last 15 months.
Sat down and did it again, flipping and flopping and trying to keep all sorts of things in mind. One question: what about realigning by sport, football and otherwise? There are some options there.
Nevertheless, three days after trying to cram in seven 12-team conferences, the new plan is a mix of 12- and 14-team groups.
Updates: Originally had Navy and Army in Northeast, but that won't work.
Originally had a Southeast 1 conference with Duke, ECU, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, UNC, NC State, Tennessee, Vandy and Wake Forest. This was an ACC-heavy mix with schools that probably fit well together overall. Note that East Carolina has been a darkhorse candidate to join the Big East, and already outdraws three of these teams on a regular basis and is close in others.
It's clearly not a strong football conference, but would be mighty good in most everything else. And it needed at least one more team.
So the solution is to eliminate Army and Navy from the conversation and form 14-team conferences rather than 12.
Originally had Southern Miss in Southeast 2. It replaces Tulane in mid-south.
Moves Vandy to the Midwest. Drops Central Florida from SE. ECU has to move north if it wants to play
So, peruse the chart.
There you go, seven BCS conferences with some options for a few of them.
The West is basically the Pac-10, the Northeast is a mix of Big East, Big Ten and ACC, the two southeast conferences are mostly SEC and ACC with two more Florida schools.
And we add a fair chunk of previously non-BCS schools, like Boise State, Utah and TCU, among others.
In the mix are some non-BCS schools that aren't on the upper non-BCS level with BSU, Utah and TCU.
The geography isn't perfect, and some state schools are split up - like they are now - and others aren't. In some cases, certain schools fit in better with the majority of schools in that conference.
Note that there are oodles of non-BCS teams that currently outdraw BCS schools, in some cases by a chunk. Consider that East Carolina outdraws a chunk of ACC schools and some SEC, and has been competitive with those schools as much as the ACC and SEC conference teams.
(But we need some common bleepin sense. And I've learned now to convert Word to jpg to put on here. Next version will look better).
(Update: This was created during the summer, at the early stages of A&M-to-SEC talk. It hasn't been tweaked since then, including the absurd additions by the ACC of Pitt and Syracuse. Didn't get around to fuller summaries and analyses per conference - I put 'Inc.' for those - but it's something to play with. Until my tweaked common sense version in a day or two. And it was originally seven - as noted - but it now six.
(We're getting to the point of where really 10-team conferences are best, and why can't they have a conference championship game with five-team divisions? Who said? And next: we need a college football mediator/czar to get all these greedy ----- together and keep the networks out. TV will get enough control eventually, but let's keep the control within the university system.)
I remember years and years ago coming up with new conference alignments on my own, may still have that sheet somewhere. But it was probably 15-20 years ago, which counts as forever in college sports. Shoot, look at the last 15 months.
Sat down and did it again, flipping and flopping and trying to keep all sorts of things in mind. One question: what about realigning by sport, football and otherwise? There are some options there.
Nevertheless, three days after trying to cram in seven 12-team conferences, the new plan is a mix of 12- and 14-team groups.
Updates: Originally had Navy and Army in Northeast, but that won't work.
Originally had a Southeast 1 conference with Duke, ECU, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, UNC, NC State, Tennessee, Vandy and Wake Forest. This was an ACC-heavy mix with schools that probably fit well together overall. Note that East Carolina has been a darkhorse candidate to join the Big East, and already outdraws three of these teams on a regular basis and is close in others.
It's clearly not a strong football conference, but would be mighty good in most everything else. And it needed at least one more team.
So the solution is to eliminate Army and Navy from the conversation and form 14-team conferences rather than 12.
Originally had Southern Miss in Southeast 2. It replaces Tulane in mid-south.
Moves Vandy to the Midwest. Drops Central Florida from SE. ECU has to move north if it wants to play
So, peruse the chart.
There you go, seven BCS conferences with some options for a few of them.
The West is basically the Pac-10, the Northeast is a mix of Big East, Big Ten and ACC, the two southeast conferences are mostly SEC and ACC with two more Florida schools.
And we add a fair chunk of previously non-BCS schools, like Boise State, Utah and TCU, among others.
In the mix are some non-BCS schools that aren't on the upper non-BCS level with BSU, Utah and TCU.
The geography isn't perfect, and some state schools are split up - like they are now - and others aren't. In some cases, certain schools fit in better with the majority of schools in that conference.
Note that there are oodles of non-BCS teams that currently outdraw BCS schools, in some cases by a chunk. Consider that East Carolina outdraws a chunk of ACC schools and some SEC, and has been competitive with those schools as much as the ACC and SEC conference teams.
(But we need some common bleepin sense. And I've learned now to convert Word to jpg to put on here. Next version will look better).
Saturday, September 17, 2011
This week can't match last week, right?
Let's just go straight to football, and hold college football alignment, Georgia analysis, some rules and other stuff for later.
And there will be a mini-review of Georgia-USCE as well. But kickoff is 40 minutes old. I'm late.
And there will be a mini-review of Georgia-USCE as well. But kickoff is 40 minutes old. I'm late.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
We gather together to give thanks
Dear Lord,
It was invented back in the 1800s, somewhere in the Northeast, I think.
It started taking form and inspiring attention back in the 1920s and 30s, and picked up steam in the 70s.
But on behalf of a large number of the species, regardless of dates and history, thank you for college football. And yes, those who agree with me should drop a little bit extra in the collection plate.
It was invented back in the 1800s, somewhere in the Northeast, I think.
It started taking form and inspiring attention back in the 1920s and 30s, and picked up steam in the 70s.
But on behalf of a large number of the species, regardless of dates and history, thank you for college football. And yes, those who agree with me should drop a little bit extra in the collection plate.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Gooo Baylor, stayyy A&M
Good job, Baylor.
The school isn't just caving in to Texas A&M's "Waaahhhh, Texas gets more attention than us so we're gonna leave" move to the SEC.
For one, as noted previously, the school released a communiqué pointing out the tradition of football in the state, and how A&M's scamper is a negative all the way around for everybody involved.
The school isn't just caving in to Texas A&M's "Waaahhhh, Texas gets more attention than us so we're gonna leave" move to the SEC.
For one, as noted previously, the school released a communiqué pointing out the tradition of football in the state, and how A&M's scamper is a negative all the way around for everybody involved.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Everybody waited months for that?
For those who needed a 30-point win to avoid raging pessimism the rest of the year, who have now completely written off 2011, and those already checking coaching resumes, move along, nothing to read here.
For those who do occasionally grip reality, even if by mistake, here we go.
For those who do occasionally grip reality, even if by mistake, here we go.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
It's here, let the guessing begin (like with Georgia-Boise State)
(Computer problems delayed posting)
A few months ago, there was bellyaching and whining and pondering the next coach.
Now I got a gomer selling me on Georgia 31-17 over Boise State, and the wagon’s filling up a bit.
That's why I prefer blathering in writing. Memories are shakier than the stock market.
Nevertheless, it's quite possible. I've been picking UGA for a week or so, and haven't talked myself out of it.
Why?
A few months ago, there was bellyaching and whining and pondering the next coach.
Now I got a gomer selling me on Georgia 31-17 over Boise State, and the wagon’s filling up a bit.
That's why I prefer blathering in writing. Memories are shakier than the stock market.
Nevertheless, it's quite possible. I've been picking UGA for a week or so, and haven't talked myself out of it.
Why?
Friday, August 26, 2011
It's like Lyle Lovett marrying Julia Roberts ... they whaaaa?
It's been talked about, seems an increasing certainty, and I still can't figure out why.
Texas A&M to the SEC. Didn't get it when the topic first arose, don't get it now. And am hoping the Big 12 can convince A&M to stay despite Texas' overwhelming greed and ESPN's overwhelming greed and shortsightedness.
Note this. Not every person is all about money. Not every person makes decisions based solely on money. It just seems that way.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Why put off today what you forgot to do three weeks ago? Or something
The meeting of Middle Georgia Procrastinators will come to order.
And dammit, we've been putting this off for like a month, people.
Ahem.
Can't remember why the delay. Can't remember what else I'd meant to throw out there. Perhaps I've been dizzied by the new iPhone, which is nice but hasn't really worked 100 percent yet and will likely be traded in when allowed for a non-Apple product.
Apple engineer 1: "Ya know, this task can be accomplished in 10 seconds and with three keystrokes."
Apple engineer 2: "Dude, we're Apple. Make that three minutes, one aspiring and 15 keystrokes."
And dammit, we've been putting this off for like a month, people.
Ahem.
Can't remember why the delay. Can't remember what else I'd meant to throw out there. Perhaps I've been dizzied by the new iPhone, which is nice but hasn't really worked 100 percent yet and will likely be traded in when allowed for a non-Apple product.
Apple engineer 1: "Ya know, this task can be accomplished in 10 seconds and with three keystrokes."
Apple engineer 2: "Dude, we're Apple. Make that three minutes, one aspiring and 15 keystrokes."
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Football playoff would be nothing like NCAA tournament
(I'll be back in a regular posting groove in no time. Though, tomorrow is a lottery day)
So, we saw the four best college basketball teams in the country play a couple weekends ago.
Right? Isn't that right, college football playoff boosters who yap that football could draw the same attention as the NCAA tournament?
Man, how wrong people can be when logic escapes them. And logic escaped most years ago.
“If college football had a playoff, it would be this fun.”
People must quit playing football minus helmets.
So, we saw the four best college basketball teams in the country play a couple weekends ago.
Right? Isn't that right, college football playoff boosters who yap that football could draw the same attention as the NCAA tournament?
Man, how wrong people can be when logic escapes them. And logic escaped most years ago.
“If college football had a playoff, it would be this fun.”
People must quit playing football minus helmets.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
I have returned, now let's watch the tournament
Goodness, it's been almost two months since our last meeting.
The Falcons lost to the Packers. The Packers beat the Steelers. Baseball practice - the most overcovered event of all-time, along with golf - has started.
Cam Newton went pro. Auburn still has possession of the national championship trophy. College football teams signed high school kids that nobody knows about, but losers throughout the land got excited about.
And now, with a contented sigh, we have the NCAA Tournament.
The Falcons lost to the Packers. The Packers beat the Steelers. Baseball practice - the most overcovered event of all-time, along with golf - has started.
Cam Newton went pro. Auburn still has possession of the national championship trophy. College football teams signed high school kids that nobody knows about, but losers throughout the land got excited about.
And now, with a contented sigh, we have the NCAA Tournament.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
On bowls, playoffs, ESPN/Texas and hoops
Among other "years" that it's been, this has been the year of college football whining, with bowls being the latest topic.
OK, folks, yet again, college football's bowl games set an attendance record. And we're not talking about the BCS games.
OK, folks, yet again, college football's bowl games set an attendance record. And we're not talking about the BCS games.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Don't be surprised in NFL playoffs
People never learn. Clearly. Just talk to most of 'em, and learning is just not there.
A few weeks ago, Falcons folks went loopy because ESPN's Trent Dilfer said the Saints could win in Atlanta.
Now, why that was a shocking statement is befuddling. It wasn't shocking, it was objective and based on Dilfer's experience and of probably some film work.
One needn't have NFL experience and access to video to know it was true and possible, one need only have a clue, some three-digit IQ moments and some common sense.
New Orleans was the defending Super Bowl champ. Atlanta didn't make the playoffs last season. The Saints had earlier struggles but seemed to be righting the ship. The Falcons had a great record, but were anything but dominant or exceptionally convincing.
A few weeks ago, Falcons folks went loopy because ESPN's Trent Dilfer said the Saints could win in Atlanta.
Now, why that was a shocking statement is befuddling. It wasn't shocking, it was objective and based on Dilfer's experience and of probably some film work.
One needn't have NFL experience and access to video to know it was true and possible, one need only have a clue, some three-digit IQ moments and some common sense.
New Orleans was the defending Super Bowl champ. Atlanta didn't make the playoffs last season. The Saints had earlier struggles but seemed to be righting the ship. The Falcons had a great record, but were anything but dominant or exceptionally convincing.
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