After back-to-back, jam-packed podcasts we have to admit that this one is a little lighter. Maybe it's March Madness or the lack of real football or a couple months. Oh well. Here's what we have this week.
When you consider the NCAA is looking to ruin the basketball tournament and expand to 96 teams because of greed, how much do you think it will screw up a football tournament if we let them have it? That's right, plenty. Money always wins.
We also take an early look at the coaches on the hot seat and who has the best chance of saving their job and who should be sending out resumes. Coaches aren't the only ones on the hot seat. How would you like to be replacing Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford? Think there's a little pressure on John Brantley, Garrett Gilbert and Landry Jones? We also try to explain what Oregon's Mike Bellotti is doing by going to ESPN. Enjoy another show.
Brut Sun Bowl Sun Bowl, El Paso, Tx. Stanford vs. Oklahoma Date: Dec 31 Time: 2 p.m. TV: CBS (NOT ESPN, HOLY CRAP) Line: Oklahoma -9.5
About Stanford (8-4): The Cardinal haven't seen this kind of postseason glory since Ty Willingham was at the helm. But now, it's former (ugh.) Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh whose overbearing arrogance is a perfect fit for a school filled with students and faculty who are overbearingly arrogant. And they've got this Toby Gerhart kid who's like Tommy Vardell but with talent.
Intangibles: Tiger Woods: -4 Michelle Wie: -1 The Buddy Tevens Era: -6 About Oklahoma (7-5): Taking the positive on this sucky season for the Sooners, at least Bob Stoops can't lose a big bowl game! Am I right, Sooners? So Sam Bradford got hurt and Oklahoma fell apart like a house of cards in front of Beano Cook. It was like Gary Gibbs was back in charge of the Sooners. Crap were they bad.
Intangibles: Sooner schooner: +2 Anything else in Oklahoma: -3 The Boz: -2 Jamelle Holieway; +2 Impact player: Gerhart. This dude just ran over Pac 10 defenses like they weren't there - and for the most part, they weren't. OU has some serious studs up front.
Bowl Slogan: "Mmmm. You smell like Brut." Little known fact: I like El Paso salsa. Bet you didn't know.
Watchability (1-5): 4.3 The pick: Stanford 31, Oklahoma 30
There's no rhyme or reason to posting this now. But the 'Eye and 'Eer we're chatting about big moments from this season and decided to share them with you.
So here are our Top 10 moments so far in 2009.
10. Tim Tebow scores his 50th career rushing touchdown. There is no way to compare Tebow with Herschel Walker, who held the record at 49. The former Georgia Bulldog did it in three years, while Tebow scored a lot of short TDs as an H-Back playing QB. But it's still a milestone that can't be overlooked.
9. Moment of silence before WVU-UConn game. In a real show of class, West Virginia's fans helped pay tribute to Connecticut defensive back Jasper Howard, who was murdered a week earlier. It was an emotional day for the Huskies, but both teams and fans displayed an amazing amount of class.
8. Central Michigan upsets Michigan State on last-second FG. In the second week of the season, the Chippewas hung tough with the Spartans. Senior QB Dan LeFevour threw for 328 yards and led two late scoring drives for the 29-27 win.
7. FSU-Miami goes down to final play. This once proud rivalry has been pretty boring in recent years, but not in 2009. The defenses didn't show up and QBs Christian Ponder and Jacory Harris put on a clinic. The Seminoles appeared to be going in for the game-winner, but Ponder's pass on the final play of the game bounced off the face mask of WR Jarmon Fortson. The rivalry is back.
6. SEC officiating. So where do I start with this one? The Florida-Arkansas game has way too many bad calls, missed calls, etc. There was the bogus excessive celebration flag against Georgia's A.J. Green for excessive celebration against LSU. Now Urban Meyer has been fined $30,000 by the SEC for criticizing the officiating in the Florida-Georgia game. It hasn't been a banner year for the SEC.
5. Iowa scores as time expires to beat Michigan State. The Hawkeyes seem to do this every week, but this finish was wild and kept Kirk Ferentz' team undefeated. Iowa may not be the most talented team, but it sure is lucky this season.
4.Terrence Cody blocks FG to hold off Tennessee. The Volunteers outplayed Bama and should have left Tuscaloosa with the upset and Lane Kiffin's first signature win. But the oversized Cody busted through, gut and all, and helped the Tide remain in the national title hunt. Of course, there were some who felt he should have been flagged for removing his helmet. Way to go SEC officials.
3. Tim Tebow suffers concussion. As Tebow's head slammed into the knee of one of his lineman Urban Meyer crapped himself and Gator Nation wept in unison. The Gators had a big lead already against Kentucky, so the outcome was never in question, but Tebow has not played well since. Of course, he'll probably win the Heisman again because there's no legitimate candidate and because of this.
2. Oregon's LeGarrette Blount punches Boise's Byron Hout. The Ducks opened the 2009 season with an abysmal performance, only to top it off with one of the more embarrassing post-game performances. Hout mouthed off to Blount, who went all gangsta on him. Blount also wanted to go into the stands an take on 35,000 Broncos fans. This was not the way the NCAA wanted to open the season, especially with all of the hype surrounding sportsmanship week or whatever the hell they called it.
1. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford bangs up his shoulder in season-opening loss to BYU. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was lost in the first half and the Sooners never recovered. This injury put a crimp in OU's season, as he was back for the Red River Shootout but hurt the shoulder again. He has since had surgery and plans to bolt for the NFL next year.
Phil and Tom can't remember the last time we reached this late in the college football season without a clear-cut No. 1 team. Florida, Alabama and Texas can all make an argument for the position, but can you really count out Iowa, Cincinnati and TCU? We don't think so.
Speaking of the BCS, why are the analysts blathering on about who is where in October? It doesn't matter right now. Let the games be played and we'll see where everyone falls. Your podcast co-hosts also analyze the decisions by two high-profile quarterbacks this week (Sam Bradford and Tony Pike), as well as consider the possibility that Oregon could play in the BCS title game ahead of a 13-0 Boise State. Crazy!
The headline reads: "Bradford out for Sooners' game at Miami."
It may sound crazy, but it's actually the best news for Sooner fans. Heresy, right? Not at all. Bob Stoops may choke in big games, but he's smart enough to know eighth-ranked Oklahoma's best chance to beat the No. 17 Hurricanes Saturday night is for Landry Jones to remain the QB and not force reigning Heisman winner Sam Bradford back into the lineup.
"Our team has a lot of confidence in Landry's ability and we're looking forward to going into the game with him at quarterback," Stoops said in a statement. "Our approach will be the same that it has been in the last two games."
Both of those wins. This decision may impact the 'Eer's pick in this game. Check back Friday for that.
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.
Archie Griffin and his back-to-back Heisman Trophys are sacred to Ohio State fans. When Tim Tebow won last season many of those fans feared Superman's potential to win in 2008.
Thank you Sam Bradford. Sort of. Now Bradford is the man challenging Griffin's place in history. And let's not forget that Tebow could win it again.
2:26 Fourth: That was quick. OU couldn't muster a first down. Heisman jinx continues as Bradford looked pretty average tonight. And the Tebow worship begins, although i think Percy Harvin was the best player in this game.
3:00 Fourth: By the way, Oklahoma, watch out for the shovel pass off the option action. criminy. how can that play work every time? and there's the jump pass. 24-14 Gators iwth the lead.
9:59 Fourth: OU driving again, but Gator DB makes a terrific play and snags an interception. If Florida can score a TD here, it could be awfully tough for OU to pull this one out.
11:00 Fourth - Gators have to settle for a field goal after Harvin goes out with a dinged ankle and Tebow throws two passes out of bounds. Thought this one was going to be over early tonight, but I have a feeling this last 10 minutes is going to drag on for awhile.
Momentum's name is Percy Harvin as he rips off 52 yards. Amazing how they can get the kid the ball in space. While 75 percent of this game has been penalty-laced crap, we could at least get a good finish.
And the Sooners tie it up, 14-14 as Bradford hits the TE on a nice play. Good drive by OU, taking advantages of some mismatches and some good throws from Bradford.
Start of the fourth: 14-7 Florida. Well, it finally got interesting. For awhile there I switched to PBS to watch History Detectives. But Tebow got everybody going by yelling a lot, which makes him the world's greatest leader. Anyway, nice drive and Gators go on top. OU has stopped being able to run the ball and keep getting stuffed on short yardage. And now the Gators block a field goal, but OU holds and gets the ball back.
Third qtr: This thing's kind of a snoozer. Tebow just missed Harvin on a go.
half: 7-7. OU with a big turnover right before halftime costs them three points. Interesting half. Lots of yards, but not a lot of points and three turnovers.
6:00 2nd: Big sequence as Tebow throws a pick. OU runs the ball to the 1, but a big stop from the Gators. of course, Fox wasn't sure what down it was. ugh. shouldn't these guys be better at this by now?
11:49 Now that's a response. Sooners tie it up on a beautiful drive that looked like it was being played in fast forward. A little surprised to see OU line up and run the ball so easily.
Start of the second qtr: Gators score on a nice throw by Tebow and a nice catch and dive into the EZ. 'Homa looks frustrated to me already. Maybe the pace will pick up a little at least.
1:43 Did Thom Brenaman just say Tim Tebow is "the unquestioned greatest leader in college football today." ??? Is it possible for anyone to describe this kid without going completely over the top.
Penalties kill a promising drive for the Sooners. Is OU trying to wheel route the Gators into submission?
9:20 First quarter - Tebow throws a pick because he waits too long to make the throw on the sideline. Jesus weeps.
First quarter - Both Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow have thrown incompletions. ESPN has new poll up: Who is more overrated? Just interviewed Skip Bayless who says the Heisman committee should by hung by their balls for not naming Colt McCoy Heisman winner. Outside the Lines announces new special: "Is Everyone Not what We Make them out to Be?"
With the BCS title game just hours away, I still don't know whether to cheer for Florida or Oklahoma. Neither team is very appealing to me.
Bob Stoops is a horrible big-game coach, so maybe I'd like to see him change his fortunes (not really). Urban Meyer is pretty arrogant for someone who gets to coach and recruit one of nation's hotbeds for college players. It's easy to be cocky when you get to pick and choose the best players in the country and not work that hard.
Sam Bradford is just plain. He simple looking and his game is one dimensional. Sit in the pocket, hope for no pressure and pick apart a defense. Get pressure on him and he looks like Marcus Outzen. Tim Tebow .... OK, I know all of the great things about Tebow. He loves his family. He loves his country. He loves God. He's the perfect man. I'm just tired of Tebow.
Oklahoma has a huge offensive line and they mowed down opponents all season. Florida has crazy speed and no one can keep up with them.
So on and so.
I just don't know who to root for. So I'm open to pitches from our fans. Tell me who I should pull for tonight.
BCS National Championship Game Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. Florida vs. Oklahoma Date: Jan. 8 Time: 8 p.m. TV: FOX Line: Florida -3
About Florida: After watching Gary Danielson do the SEC title game, here's what I know about the Gators: Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow, Tebow, Tim, Tim Tebow, some other guys, Tim Tebow, Holy Crap Tebow, Can you believe that, Tebow? Tebow. I assume there are other guys, but I can't make any guarantees.
Intangibles: Gainesville: -2 Florida co-eds: +4 Steve Spurrier: -1 Galen Hall: -2 Ron Zook: -4
About Oklahoma: The Sooners average 147 points a game this year and Sam Bradford won the Heisman Trophy thanks to playing against the Big 12. On defense, the Sooners line up 11 guys and do their best to get in the way.
Intangibles: Stoops' stupid visor: -4 Last four BCS games: -3 Billy Sims: +3 Billy Sims at Heisman ceremony: -3
Impact Player: Florida returner Brandon James is the fastest midget alive. Except for LSU's Trindon Holiday. Makes him hard to see on kick returns.
Bowl slogan: "This is for the national title. We've got a trophy and everything. That makes it real."
Little known fact: Football games usually take between two and a half and three hours. This one will take nearly four.
ESPN blogger Chris Low provided some very interesting information on Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, Texas' Colt McCoy and Florida's Tim Tebow yesterday evening. He compared the defenses that each Heisman finalist faced in 2008 and the results are not shocking. Tebow has face six defenses in the Top 25, while Bradford has face one and McCoy none.
Tebow No. 3 Alabama No. 4 Tennessee No. 11 South Carolina No. 13 Florida State No. 15 Ole Miss No. 25 Miami No. 28 Georgia No. 29 Vanderbilt No. 36 LSU No. 37 Kentucky No. 59 Hawaii No. 73 Arkansas
I'm not saying Low's analysis proves Tebow should win, but the argument of comparing statistics should take this evidence into account. However, Tebow may lose the Heisman this year for the same flawed reason he claimed it last year.
Three consecutive winning weeks has lifted me back over .500 (barely). There are some great games this week, so now let's see if I can make it four winners in a row.
Oklahoma (-16.5) over Missouri I don't know how many times I've watched this game and it had national title implications. It almost always seems like the team that needs to win doesn't. So why pick Oklahoma? The Sooners offense has just been scary good the past five weeks, and Missouri is the third most disappointing team this fall (behind Georgia and WVU). Plus, even an injured Sam Bradford is better than most. Pick: Oklahoma 44, Missouri 21 USC (-33) over UCLA I don't see any way that the Bruins can actually win this game, but this one still scares me. I could see UCLA keeping it closer than expected because Pete Carroll may want to take it easy on the cross-town rival. Don't embarrass them too much this season and build up too much ill will. Also, it appears Mark Sanchez is having more trouble with his knee than anyone is letting on. However, I can't pick against the Trojans. Pick: USC 48, UCLA 14
Boston College (even) over Virginia Tech I've felt all season that Virginia Tech was too young and inexperienced to be in this game. Thanks to the parity in the ACC the Hokies will meet BC for the second consecutive year. The Eagles have also played better than expected and they'd like to avenge last year's loss that cost them a BCS bowl. This is by far the worst conference championship game of the weekend. Pick: Boston College 18, Virginia Tech 17
Cincinnati (-7) over Hawaii Like the three games before this one, something just isn't right about picking this game. The Bearcats should be an easy favorite. But Brian Kelly's team doesn't have much to play for. With the Big East title and BCS bowl game in the bag, this is a long trip for Cincinnati and it will be its 13th game of the season. Hawaii is always tough at home. Pick: Cincinnati 37, Hawaii 27
Upset of the Week Pittsburgh (+2.5) over Connecticut As much as I would personally like to see UConn get the win in Storrs, Pitt will give the Huskies a hefty dose of Lesean McCoy and pull out a close game on the road. The win will also secure the No. 2 spot in the Big East and probably a spot in the Sun Bowl against Oklahoma State. Pick: Pittsburgh 28, Connecticut 20 Bonus PickNavy (-11) over Army If you listened to the podcast this week you know how much I look forwad to this game each year. This game is just dripping in tradition, and as Phil mentioned, there's a whole lot of running and very little passing in this one. Navy has won the past six contests and eight of the last nine. Army's lone win during that stretch was 26-17 in 2002. There's a good chance Navy will make it nine out 10 (and cover the 11 points). Pick: Navy 30, Army 9 Last Week: 4-1 Season: 28-27
I wish everyone would stop trying to sell the University of Florida's greatness. They lost a home game to a middle of the pack SEC team. The other one loss teams lost an away game or on a neutral field.
I am going to sound like Lee Corso, please forgive me Joe Brodsky, but here it goes. I think Florida will beat Alabama in the SEC championship game but it is going to be closer than the experts think. I personally think if UF gets into a close, low scoring game, Alabama will win. All the conferences need to play a conference championship game. This would cut out a lot of the play-off talk.
How many people think Michigan has a chance against Ohio State? I do. Slim but a chance.
My nominees for the Heisman Trophy are #1 QB Colt McCoy, Texas; #2 QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma; #3 WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech; #4 QB Graham Harrell, Texas Tech. Of course if Florida makes it to the BCS Championship game then Tim Tebow will win it. He will win it in the closest vote of all time.
A few friends of mine have told me the bowl committees are trying to find schools that have some history with each other. A lot of them are looking at the distance the fans will have to travel. With the economy the way it is the sponsors are trying to make it as easy for the fans as they can.
Who is going to be the All-American QB this year?
The games I want to see this week are: Texas Tech/Oklahoma, Michigan State/Penn State, Ohio State/Michigan, BYU/Utah, Ball State/Central Michigan, Florida State/Maryland and Miami/Georgia Tech.
My picks are Oklahoma in a blowout. Michigan State in a close one. Ohio State in a closer one. Utah in a walk. Central Michigan in a wild but close one. FSU in an easy one. UM in another nailbiter.
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