Podcast: Episode 60

We've been away from the podcasting airwaves for two weeks and it shows as Phil and Tom drone on for more than 40 minutes about college football. OK, we think it's pretty interesting as we dissect USC's issues with the NCAA and what might happen to the Trojans (does anyone else think the NCAA brass wouldn't mind sticking it to USC just for hiring Lane Kiffin?).

We also turn our attention to the escalating ticket prices at some of the nation's top programs, including Ohio State, which plans to raise single-game tickets to $70 in 2010. Since it's February and we can, we also make our way-too-early prediction on who'll play in the BCS Championship next season. We also can't avoid talking about the ban on eye-black messages (thanks Tim Tebow and Terrelle Pryor) as well as what might happen with Big Ten and Pac-10 expansion. Enjoy another show from Phil and Tom.

Podcast: Episode 56

Less than 24 hours after watching Colt McCoy go down early and Alabama claim its 13th, seventh, fifth—I don't know who to believe—national championship, Phil and Tom are breaking down what was the perfect ending to a boring college football season.

We also take a closer look at the other BCS bowl games and discuss whether any conference can lay claim to superiority following the postseason (we like what the Big Ten accomplished on the big stage, and can't overlook the Tide and Florida).

We also look into the future a bit and discuss Terrelle Pryor, Boise State, South Florida without Jim Leavitt and the SEC. Enjoy as we are taking a week off from podcasting and probably won't return until Jan. 20.

'Eye keeps replaying Rose Bowl

Anyone trying to find the 'Eye today should stop trying now. He certainly DVR'd the Rose Bowl and is on his fifth re-watch of the game just to make sure Ohio State really won. Enjoy it Phil.

Bowl Preview: Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Rose Bowl presented by Citi
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
Ohio State vs. Oregon
Date: Jan. 1
Time: 4:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Line: Oregon -4

About Ohio State (10-2): The Buckeyes discovered a running game in the second half of the year. Good thing, because the passing game has been missing all year. QB Terrelle Pryor didn't take the giant leap forward people were expecting. Instead it's been very small steps. Jim Tressel remains his ever-boring, ever-conservative self.

Intangibles:
1997 Rose Bowl: +3
Rest of David Boston's career: -2
"Rivalry" uniforms: -5

About Oregon (10-2): The Ducks' offense has been on fire the second half of the season, lighting it up with their wacky spread and wackier uniform combinations. What's this week? Retro - a salute to October 2007? Anyway, Chip Kelly's done a nice job since LeGarrette Blount coldcocked a Boise player.

Intangibles:
Phil Knight: +$120 million
Phil Knight's soul: -3
Chip Kelly in visor: -4

Impact player: Oregon RB LaMichael James. OSU needs to slow this little shit down to have a shot.

Little known fact: The Rose Bowl used to be very important back when Nixon was President and wide collars were in.

Watchability (1-5): 4.9

The Pick: Ohio State 31, Oregon 27

Podcast: Episode 44

Apparently we can stop the college football season and just let Florida and Alabama play for the national championship. At least that seems to be the consensus around the nation. However, the podcast bozos from An 'Eye and 'Eer just don't see it that way. In fact, we believe Florida and Alabama are outstanding football teams, but maybe a bit overrated considering how weak the SEC is this year. So let's allow the games to be played and see where things fall.

Episode 44 also delves into the good and bad of instant replay, as well as a preview to some of this weekend's big games (USC-Notre Dame, Cincinnati-South Florida and the Red River Rivalry). Surprisingly it is the second week in a row that we talk about Bobby Bowden and what lies ahead. Somehow we also found a way to include Al Groh, Terrelle Pryor, and Marshall into the show. Happy listening.

Podcast: Episode 40

This week it is the ’Eer and his WVU Mountaineers who have the big game as they travel into SEC country to take on Auburn. He is optimistic the Mounties can continue their recent dominance of SEC foes.

On the flip side, ’Eye is going to stay home and watch the Buckeyes travel to Cleveland and take on Toledo. He needs the break after the tough loss to USC last week. However, he does an excellent job of breaking down OSU's offensive woes, what the future is for Terrelle Pryor and what is lacking in Jim Tressel’s playbook.

We also look at the potential whipping that Lane Kiffin may take at the hands of Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators. Folks, strap ’em on, this should be another great week of College Football.

Buckeyes getting pumped up

For our Buckeye fans here is the latest inspirational video to give each of you hope Ohio State will actually win a big game this season. Enjoy.

Buckeye hype

Nice video. No doubt it has the Buckeye faithful fired up for the home opener against Navy.

However, I doubt Jim Tressel's days of producing inspirational videos aren't over. Also, Redemption 2? Is that all Ohio State is up to? Seems to me the Buckeyes should be up to about Redemption V. Loss to Florida. Loss to LSU. Loss to USC. Loss to Texas.

We'll keep a lookout for future renditions.

(Hat Tip: Eleven Warriors)

Podcast: Episode 35

As much as we would like to be talking about anything else, we couldn't avoid talking about Tim Tebow. From his preseason All-SEC snub by Steve Spurrier to the microscope he'll be under all season, we give you our take on Superman. Phil and Tom don't bore you to death with Tebow. We also discuss the future of the ACC, the SEC's television deal with ESPN, and the pressure that faces the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Terrelle Pryor.

Sporting News takes a crack at best players

When you are trying to write about college football in June you find reporters and bloggers coming up with a lot of lists.

Best/worst coaches

Best/worst stadiums

Best/worst concessions

The Sporting News recently posted its Top 25 players for the 2009 season. No major surprises, but interesting to note that there is just one Buckeye (Terrelle Pryor) and no Mountaineers (what, no Noel Devine?).

There is only one other Big Ten player on the list (No. 25 Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois), and just one Big East player (No. 6 George Selvie, DE, South Florida).

Topping the list is University of Florida Superman Tim Tebow, the first of three Gators and eight SEC players to crack the Top 25. The Big 12 has seven representatives, led by Oklahoma QB and last year's Heisman winner Sam Bradford. The Pac-10 has four players, followed by one each from the ACC, Mountain West and Notre Dame.

Bowl Preview: Fiesta Bowl

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Ohio State vs. Texas
Date: Jan. 5
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: FOX
Line: Texas -8.5

About Ohio State: If this were 1992, the Buckeyes would be renowned for their innovative offensive and defensive schemes. As it is, they look like they should be playing with leather helmets and drop kicks. Coach Jim Tressel is still convinced the punt and not turning the ball over are the two most important things in football. Scoring points is somewhere in the teens.

Intangibles:
Kirk Herbstreit: -4
Woody Hayes: +2
Average age of coaching staff; 84: -2
Last two national title games: -5

About Texas: The Longhorns were one dropped interception from playing in the national title game (assuming a Big 12 championship win over Missouri. A fair assumption.) As it is, tough crap. Next time don't drop the interception. Colt McCoy and 10 other guys play on offense. Brian Orakpo and 10 other guys play on defense. Mack Brown is still the coach, although he's slowly morphing into the Bobby Bowden "I sit on a golf cart and say funny things" role.

Intangibles:
Bevo: +3
Austin: +2
Rest of Texas: -4
Matthew McConaghey: -2

Impact Player: OSU guard Steve Rehring loves Christmas break. Steve loves eating. Steve doesn't like working out so much. Steve is big. Steve is slow. Steve is slower after Christmas break.

Bowl slogan: "The Fiesta Bowl proudly welcomes...what?! Ohio State AGAIN? Criminy. Why not just buy a timeshare."

Little known fact: Hey Texas players, how about wearing some freaking underwear with those white pants? I'm tired of having to check out your junk every time you make a tackle.

Watchability (1-5): 4

The Pick: Texas 30, Ohio State 24

Buckeye Legend is Born

Not that Ohio State fans (as well as Jim Tressel) had not already declared Terrelle Pryor a savior, but his performance against Wisconsin last night is the stuff of legends. He will win a Heisman Trophy before he departs. It may have been nothing more than an 11-yard TD run, but Pryor led the Buckeyes on this late scoring drive for a huge win. What a performance by a true freshman in hostile Camp Randall.

Episode 6

Saturday early game notes

As I was at the Ohio State game, I missed some of the early games, but here's some thoughts:

- Why is Urban Meyer playing Tim Tebow up by 24 points with 3 minutes left in the Tennessee game? This is utter stupidity and arrogance. They're lucky UT had packed up its bags midway through the second quarter or somebody is going to take a cheap shot at Tebow. And while I don't think Tebow deserves it, I'm starting to wonder if UF does.

- Javon Ringer had another huge day for Michigan State with 201 yards in the win over Notre Dame. Which is great until you realize it was on 39 carries. Well, sure, that's not that bad except it comes after last week's 43 FREAKING CARRIES. Mark D'Antonio is going to Mike Hart this kid into the ground. Ringer is nails, but that's a lot of carries for anybody much less a small back.

- Terrelle Pryor is now the unquestioned starter for Ohio State and looked pretty decent against a Troy team that's better than people think. the Buckeyes still have problems, though, starting with a shocking lack of playing speed. They just don't seem excited about playing football.

- Will Pitt's last-minute win over Iowa spark the Panthers to become the team people thought they would be this year?

- Boise State has a freshman quarterback who threw for nearly 400 yards AT Oregon. Watch out for the Broncos who play nobody until they face Fresno State at the end of the year.

All Trojans, All Buckeyes, All The Bleeping Time

No surprise that Beanie Wells will be back for Saturday's game with USC. How healthy Wells is remains to be seen, although if you look at the accompanying picture, then you have to question how "hurt" Beanie was in the first place.

Meanwhile, USC might be without starting wide receiver Vidal Hazelton, who's nursing a sprained ankle.

Of course, this being USC, they will pull one of their 87 5-star, Super Duper, Top 10, Four Clovers, Top 150 wideouts off the practice squad and not miss a beat.

CBS Sportsline's Dennis Dodd, an always angry man, says Ohio State will pull out a secret weapon Saturday night in LA in the form of freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

An interesting sentiment, but it completely disregards Jim Tressel's obsession with his seniors. Todd Boeckman is a senior, by the way. Pryor will likely play more than he has, but I sincerely doubt he'll be starting by the second quarter and he'll be running with the ball.
People can claim Tressel is "saving" Pryor for this game but the facts remain: he's a freshman QB with throwing mechanic issues who has never thrown the ball further than eight yards down the field in two games.
Terrelle - meet the QB draw, the speed option and the read option.
And run like hell.

Kind of like this: