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Yep!
Yep and Yep!
Yep!
Yep...Boondocker...as in, you live out in the Boondocks! Dump the Taco Bell and you'll be bonafide countryfide! LOL
I just heard that the deal is off the table as the Blazers cancelled Sabonis's contract to allow him to retire. I still think they could make a deal work that involved Sheed & Bonzi for Kmart & Mutumbo. That would make a formidable front line when you put Patterson in there. Use Mutumbo like the Spurs used DRob. Mutumbo can still give a team 20-25 mins. per game for another couple of years. And Kmart is one of the quickest power forwards in the league. You'd have a lot of speed and size up front making it tough for teams to score inside and making it hard for teams to stop you on offense.
Colt
Naw, we had one of them world famous Tejas storms down here. You know, the kind that picks our cities up and lays them back down somewhere else in the state. No big deal. LOL
Colt
Yep!
Hey Capi'tan...where's your floatilla? I see the little red x, so does that mean OneBgg and I can use your posts for target practice?
Colt
Yep!
Yep!
Yep!
LOL, Phil. Just make sure you ......
keep alert to her hitting you in the snout with her right elbow. And by all means don't jump atop her, that's when she gets kinda hon'ry!
Colt
Me too, Justin. When my time is up, all I ask is take me @ the speed of light. I've had enough scrapes in my life that I'm beginning to think neither The Good Lord nor the devil wants me. Seems they think it's funny to just leave me hanging. <g>
Colt
Candidates to replace Johnson at WR short on experience, long on speed
Gordon Brunskill, gbrunski@centredaily.com
UNIVERSITY PARK - Even though he is no longer on the team, toiling instead under the hot desert sun, Bryant Johnson is still motivating his teammates.
Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th pick of the first round, which not only opened up a starting spot on the Penn State offense but also provided some incentive for someone else to want to be drafted.
"That was a big motivator, running and stuff and lifting weights. I said I want to be in his spot," said redshirt sophomore Kinta Palmer, who appears to be the front-runner for the position. "I want to break all his records that he accomplished at Penn State."
The opposite end of the line of scrimmage is all but locked up with Tony Johnson, who was second in yards (549) and third in receptions (34) last season.
But the rest of the receiving corps has precious little experience with a combined 13 career catches for 167 yards among them. All but two catches and 38 yards belong to Gerald Smith.
"We don't know what we have just yet," said Fran Ganter, the assistant head coach in charge of offense. "These kids have gotten stronger. They know what they're doing now so when they walk on the field they're playing with more confidence and when you're confident you're tougher."
Bryant Johnson left with spots in the top five in all of the major single-season and career receiving categories at Penn State, including second in career yardage. He also left behind a legacy in practices.
"The thing that was more beneficial was the kind of player and work ethic that he had when he was here," receivers coach Kenny Carter said. "That's going to have more of a lasting impression than whatever happened with him as far as the draft."
While the 5-foot-11 Smith may have had more work last season, it is Palmer and redshirt sophomore Ernie Terrell who have the opportunity to stand out the most this season. Both are big -- Terrell is 6-foot-3 and 197 pounds and Palmer is 6-4 and 188 pounds -- and speedy. Both ran track in high school and Terrell also is a member of the Penn State track and field squad.
"I think we'll be OK," head coach Joe Paterno said of the position. "We've got some size and we obviously have a lot of speed."
Terrell set the school record in the 60-meter dash during the indoor season over the winter and finished second in the 400 at the Big Ten outdoor championships -- despite missing part of the season for spring football practices. He also was a member of the 1,600 relay team which qualified for the NCAA Regionals.
"I'm a football player that also runs track," Terrell said with a broad grin. "It helps my technique and starting speed. And since I run the 400 I'm able to go for four quarters and overtime if we need it."
Terrell also caught three passes for 56 yards during April's Blue-White Game.
And with the offense also trying to replace a 2,000-yard rusher in Larry Johnson and Ganter's ability to be creative with the offense, the passing game may carry a heavy load this season.
"We don't have a set running back right now and it will take a couple games to get that," Terrell said. "The receivers will have to step up." Terrell and Palmer certainly smell the opportunity.
"My whole attitude changed when Bryant left," Palmer said. "I have more focus this year. I have to play a bigger role this year than I'm used to."
Will do, Ksquared. Have a great day and tell your boss that in sympathy for NY and other places that lost power, you should get the day off.
Colt
FieldTurf receives praise from Michigan football coach
By Michael Nisson
Michigan Daily
(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Fans who visited Michigan Stadium this weekend for Photo Day noticed something that has been absent from the Big House for a long time -- a green football field.
Along with the unveiling of this year's squad came the first public showing of the newly installed FieldTurf, the artificial surface that Michigan will play on this season. Made up of crushed tires and sand and covered with synthetic grass, FieldTurf is quickly becoming one of the newest fads to hit football stadiums across the country. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr gave it his stamp of approval in his address to the media on Saturday.
"We did have an opportunity to practice on the field, [and] I think it's going to be a great surface," Carr said. "I think it's going to be tremendous for guys who play in the stadium."
After Michigan's 27-24 overtime win against Penn State last season, in which the grass was coming up in large clumps, Carr commented that he thought it was time for a switch in playing surface. At the end of the season it was determined that the natural grass surface that had been in Michigan Stadium for over 10 years was less than satisfactory for game situations. The Wolverines decided on the FieldTurf surface because the team already had experience playing on it in Oosterbaan Field House, Michigan's indoor practice facility.
"We're used to it from the standpoint that we have an indoor building," Carr said. "The one noticeable difference is the heat that's probably 10 to 15 degrees hotter out there than it would be if it were grass."
FIGHTING FOR POSITION
Although many players seem to be locks to start at their respective positions, Carr remained adamant that nothing is for sure.
"This is my take on competition -- earn it," Carr said. "When you earn something, that doesn't mean the competition is over, because somebody else wants that job. So I think that if you can develop that mentality, as a coach, as a player, in anything you do, you have to fight that sense of entitlement that, 'Once I earn it, I own it'. That's not true."
The competition will be heated at several positions this year as Michigan has some holes to patch. Among those positions is the Wolverines' placekicking unit, which struggled for much of last year before junior Adam Finley stepped in and made seven of 10 field goals during the latter part of the season.
Finley's hold on the job is by no means a strong one. Incoming freshman Garret Rivas, a Tampa, Fla. native, was ranked by many recruiting services as one of the top kickers in the nation last year.
"Rivas has created quite a stir in our training camp the first four days because he's one of those kids who has a great leg," Carr said. "When the ball comes off his foot, the ball explodes."
The departure of seniors Bennie Joppru [at tight end] and B.J. Askew [at fullback] -- who were drafted by the Houston Texans and the New York Jets, respectively, in the NFL draft -- creates two big pairs of shoes to fill. Besides being two of John Navarre's main targets, both players displayed stellar blocking ability.
The competition seems to be a two-man race between fifth-year senior Andy Mignery and sophomore Tim Massaquoi at tight end. In addition, sophomores Tyler Ecker and Kevin Murphy could also vie for time as backups.
"Our tight end position, we don't have much experience there, but we do have very good talent there," Carr said.
At fullback, Michigan was hoping to have Sean Sanderson assume the role, but Carr suspended Sanderson for off-the-field problems. That leaves a tight battle between Kevin Dudley, Brian Thompson and incoming freshman Jim Presley, who has been having knee trouble.
"[Presley] is behind a little bit," Carr said. "He's been able to practice. The knee doesn't seem to bother him, and I think he's going to get better every single day. Kevin Dudley's an underrated football player. He's a blue-collar football player, a guy who is willing to go in there and do the tough dirty jobs. Brian Thompson, I think has tremendous upside. He's 230 pounds now, he can run, he's very athletic -- an outstanding pass catcher."
Big 12 Conference football capsules
August 13, 2003
By Bob Birge
SportsTicker Staff Writer
North Division
COLORADO ========
2002 record: 9-5 (Lost to Wisconsin in Alamo Bowl)
Coach: Gary Barnett
OUTLOOK: Last season Colorado became only the second Big 12 team to repeat as division champions, but with question marks at quarterback and on the offensive line, the Buffaloes may be hard-pressed to match last season's win total. Colorado loses Chris Brown and Bobby Purify from a deep backfield and will be starting a freshman, James Cox, at quarterback. The Buffaloes return just nine starters, the lowest total in the Big 12, including only three on offense. Colorado is deepest on the defensive line, returning senior ends Marques Harris and Gabe Nyenhuis.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: After blocking eight punts in the previous three seasons, the Buffaloes did not have any last year. ... Colorado is a Big 12-best 14-2 the last two seasons despite losing its conference opener each year.
SCHEDULE: Before conference play, Colorado faces a rugged non-conference slate against Colorado State (in Denver), UCLA and Washington State. The Buffaloes do get Oklahoma and Nebraska at home, but have to visit Kansas State.
IOWA STATE ==========
2002 record: 7-7 (Lost to Boise State in Humanitarian Bowl)
Coach: Dan McCarney
OUTLOOK: The Cyclones will be trying to rebound from a disastrous finish after losing their final five games last year. Iowa State has to replace QB Seneca Wallace, who faltered badly down the stretch, but its defense continues to improve. The Cyclones return seven starters on defense, including DE Tyson Smith, who had 104 tackles and six sacks, and will be looking to cut down on the 28.3 points per game they allowed a year ago. Junior Chris Love and freshman Austin Flynn are battling for the starting quarterback job. Senior TB Michael Wagner, who ran for 100 yards against Nebraska and Texas Tech, will be the top threat in the backfield.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Iowa State is 13-11 in Big 12 Conference play the last three seasons but its overall record has dropped from 9-3 to 7-5 to 7-7. ... Last season marked the first time in McCarney's eight years as coach that the Cyclones did not have a 1,000-yard rusher.
SCHEDULE: Last year, Iowa State faced a killer schedule down the stretch, having to play Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State and Colorado on the road. The Cyclones avoid such a finish this year but still face Oklahoma and Texas from the Big 12 South.
KANSAS ======
2002 record: 2-10
Coach: Mark Mangino
OUTLOOK: Mangino begins his second season in Lawrence hoping to improve an offense that averaged just 20.7 points last season. QB Bill Whittemore, last season's Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, could give the Jayhawks a boost if he stays healthy. He missed the final four games last year but still passed for 1,666 yards and rushed for 749. Sophomore FB Clark Green, who ran for 813 yards as a freshman last year, impressed during spring practice. Whittemore should get more help this year as five of the top seven wide receivers return. S Zach Dyer recorded 48 tackles in five games last season after losing his quarterback job.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: The Jayhawks went 0-8 in Big 12 play last season, their first winless conference record since 1987. They were outscored, 164-27, in their final three games. ... Kansas spent $8 million on a strength and conditioning facility that opens this year.
SCHEDULE: The schedule should afford Kansas an opportunity to win at least once in conference as the Jayhawks get Baylor, Missouri and Iowa State at home. They also host Northwestern, UNLV and Jacksonville State in non-conference play.
KANSAS STATE ============
2002 record: 11-2 (Beat Arizona State in Holiday Bowl)
Coach: Bill Snyder
OUTLOOK: The Wildcats return seven starters on offense, including QB Ell Roberson and RB Darren Sproles, and could be nearly as potent as last year's team that averaged nearly 45 points per game. The combination of Roberson and the diminutive Sproles gives Kansas State arguably the top one-two punch in the Big 12. All the 5-7, 170-pound Sproles did last season was rush for a school-record 1,465 yards. Roberson added 1,032 yards, setting a school mark for quarterbacks. As usual, Kansas State is expected to boast one of the top linebacking units in the country, including JUCO transfer Marvin Simmons. Josh Buhl, who benches presses 400 pounds and has 4.5 speed, is back after leading the Wildcats in tackles with 135 last season.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Kansas State's home record of 73-9-1 since 1990 is the fifth-best in the NCAA. The Wildcats have won at least 11 games in four of the last five seasons. ... Kansas State's "Lynch Mob" defense allowed just 11.8 points per game last year.
SCHEDULE: While having to face Texas and Nebraska on the road, the non-conference slate is suspect. After opening with California at Arrowhead Stadium on August 23, the Wildcats play four straight home games against Troy State, McNeese State, Massachusetts and Marshall.
MISSOURI ========
2002 record: 5-7
Coach: Gary Pinkel
OUTLOOK: Missouri again will be led by exciting QB Brad Smith, who last season became just the second player in NCAA history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same year. The Tigers again should be potent on offense, returning nine starters, including WRs Thomson Omboga and Darius Outlaw. TB Zack Abron rushed for 758 yards last season and may be able to make a bid for 1,000 this year. However, Missouri still needs to improve its defense as the Tigers were outgained by an average of 127 yards per game last season, the second-worst total in the Big 12. Missouri ranked 107th in defense, giving up 450 yards per game.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Missouri lost three games to ranked opponents last season by less than a touchdown.... The Tigers outscored their opponents in the second half last season by a 208-177 margin - a major improvement from the previous season, when they were outscored, 102-47, in the fourth quarter.
SCHEDULE: Missouri opens Big 12 play at Kansas, but its three other conference road games are difficult - Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas State. The Tigers kick off the campaign against Illinois in St. Louis.
NEBRASKA ========
2002 record: 7-7 (Lost to Mississippi in Independence Bowl)
Coach: Frank Solich
OUTLOOK: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Nebraska enters the season unranked and some are calling the opener against Oklahoma State the most important in school history. However, QB Jammal Lord has a year under his belt as Eric Crouch's replacement and the Cornhuskers could be back in contention for a Big 12 crown this year. Nebraska allowed 23.9 points per game last year, the most since 1957, and the job of improving that falls to new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, a former assistant for the Green Bay Packers. Lord rushed for 1,412 yards last season, the third-highest total for a quarterback in Division I-A history.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Nebraska has dropped seven straight games to ranked opponents and five of its last nine losses were by at least 22 points. ... The Cornhuskers averaged just 27.4 points last season, its lowest total since 1977, and finished with a losing record in conference play (3-5) for the first time since 1968.
SCHEDULE: The Big 12 North title could be on the line when the Cornhuskers visit Texas on November 1. The Longhorns ended Nebraska's 26-game winning streak last season. The Cornhuskers open conference much earlier than usual when they host Oklahoma State on August 30. They do not play another conference game until October 11.
South Division
BAYLOR ======
2002 record: 3-9
Coach: Guy Morriss
OUTLOOK: After leading Kentucky to a 7-5 record last season, Morriss left the bluegrass to return to his native Texas to take on what may be the biggest challenge in Division I-A. Baylor has been the worst team in the Big 12 the last four seasons, although it did snap a 29-game conference losing streak last year. Two immediate concerns for Morriss are improving a running game that averaged less than three yards per carry last year and a defense that gave up 496 points. The Bears hope to get better production from QB Aaron Karas (1,792 passing yards last season) and WR Robert Quiroga (556 receiving yards).
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: During the past four seasons, Baylor has been outscored by an average of 32.5 points per game in Big 12 play. Since 1999, the Bears have allowed more than 50 points in a Big 12 game three times and more than 60 points four times. They also opened last season with a 70-22 loss at California.
SCHEDULE: The non-conference schedule is manageable, giving Baylor a chance to get the Morriss regime off to a good start. Before conference play opens in October the Bears face UAB, North Texas, SMU and Sam Houston State.
OKLAHOMA ========
2002 record: 12-2 (Beat Washington State in Rose Bowl) Coach: Bob Stoops
OUTLOOK: While the offense may not be potent, the Sooners are loaded on defense, which is the main reason they were picked No. 1 in the preseason coaches' poll. Amazingly, Oklahoma returns nine defensive starters, including its linebacking trio of Teddy Lehman, Lance Mitchell and Pasha Jackson. The Sooners do have to replace CB Andre Woolfolk, the first-round draft choice of the Tennessee Titans, but return seven of their top eight in the secondary. The Sooners also have to replace RB Quentin Griffin, who rushed for 1,884 yards last year, but QB Jason White is back after suffering a season-ending ACL tear. White again will be asked simply not to lose games, but Oklahoma needs to avoid letdowns as it dropped two conference games each of the last two seasons.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Stoops has guided Oklahoma to double-figure wins in three straight seasons, a feat the Sooners last accomplished from 1978-80. ... Oklahoma was remarkably balanced last season, passing for 2,828 yards and rushing for 2,668.
OKLAHOMA STATE ==============
2002 record: 8-5 (Beat Southern Miss in Houston Bowl)
Coach: Les Miles
OUTLOOK: While a BCS bowl may be a bit too much to expect, the Cowboys appear to be a program on the rise. They have an explosive receiving corps, led by Rashaun Woods, who set a school record with 1,278 receiving yards last year. The tandem of QB Josh Fields and Woods is the best in the Big 12 and this season opponents may be seeing double as Woods' brother, D'Juan, joins the mix as a freshman. TB Tatum Bell also returns after rushing for 1,096 yards a year ago. The Cowboys have shown they are capable of springing the upset, having beaten Oklahoma in each of the last two years.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: The Cowboys beat Oklahoma and Nebraska in the same season last year for the first time in school history. They earned their first win over Nebraska since 1961. In the game against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State outgained the defensive-minded Sooners, 506-333.
SCHEDULE: The Cowboys will get a big test early, opening conference play at Nebraska on August 30. They also have to visit Oklahoma on November 1. The Cowboys never have won three in a row against the Sooners, although they did go 3-0-3 from 1929-1934.
TEXAS =====
2002 record: 11-2 (Beat LSU in Cotton Bowl)
Coach: Mack Brown
OUTLOOK: The Longhorns lost QB Chris Simms and pass-rushing specialist Cory Redding, but shed no tears for Brown, even if he has not been able to win the big one at Texas. While QB Chance Mock takes over for Simms having thrown only nine passes, the Longhorns should be as potent as ever. They are loaded at wide receiver, led by Roy Williams, the third-leading receiver in school history who passed up the NFL draft last year. Also back is dangerous RB Cedric Benson, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. The Longhorns may have some concerns on the offensive and defensive lines, but LB Derrick Johnson and CB Nathan Vasher are All-America candidates.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Brown is just 1-10 against top-five teams, but is the only active coach with seven straight nine-win seasons, including five in a row at Texas, a school record. He has guided his teams to 11 straight bowl games, the second-longest active streak in the country.
SCHEDULE: As usual, the Big 12 South title could come down to Texas' game against Oklahoma on October 11. Brown has lost three in a row to the Sooners. The Longhorns renew their regular-season rivalry with Arkansas as the former Southwestern Conference rivals clash in Austin on September 11. Texas also gets Kansas State and Nebraska at home.
TEXAS A&M =========
2002 record: 6-6
Coach: Dennis Franchione
OUTLOOK: A new era begins in College Station as former Alabama coach Dennis Franchione takes over following the firing of long-time coach R.C. Slocum. Franchione tweaked the Aggies' famed "Wrecking Crew' defense, installing the 4-3 alignment that he prefers. Senior Jared Morris will be employed at middle linebacker, a position not seen at Texas A&M since the early 1980s. Franchione needs to find a quarterback and sophomore Reggie McNeal may be ready to win the job on a full-time basis after coming off the bench to throw four TDs last year in A&M's stunning upset of Oklahoma.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Slocum's record last year was his worst in 14 seasons at Texas A&M, but it did extend the Aggies' string of non-losing seasons to 20. ... Texas A&M will be the most expensive team to watch in the Big 12 this season after increasing its season-ticket package by $110. The Texas game with cost $75.
SCHEDULE: After opening with Arkansas State and Utah at home, the Aggies will be out for revenge when the visit Virginia Tech in a Thursday night game. Last season, Virginia Tech become the first con-conference team to win at Kyle Field since Alabama in 1988. The Hokies shut down the Aggies, 13-3.
TEXAS TECH ==========
2002 record: 9-5 (Beat Clemson in Tangerine Bowl)
Coach: Mike Leach
OUTLOOK: QB Kliff Kingsbury departed as the NCAA career leader in pass completions, throwing for more than 5,000 yards last season. But he is not the only one gone as Leach lost four members of his coaching staff. The Red Raiders appear to be in a rebuilding mode as they try to do the impossible - replace Kingsbury. The unenviable task goes to B.J. Simmons, a two-year backup. Simmons' main weapon likely will be RB Wes Walker, who had 757 receiving yards last season out of the backfield. Texas Tech returns nine offensive starters, but needs to put more emphasis on its defense as it likely will not be able to win the shootouts without Kingsbury. But they return just five starters on defense.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Texas Tech allowed 31.4 points per game last season, its worst total since 1990. However, the Red Raiders earned their first bowl victory since 1995. Texas Tech joins Nebraska and Kansas State as the Big 12 teams to be bowl eligible every year since the formation of the league in 1996.
SCHEDULE: After opening with SMU and New Mexico, the Red Raiders face a pair of challenging road games heading into the start of conference play - North Carolina State and Mississippi. They also have road games at Oklahoma State and Texas.
College Football 2003: Let the Games Begin
August 13, 2003
By Doug Mittler
SportsTicker College Football Editor
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) - The college football season cannot begin fast enough.
More than seven months have passed since that January night in the Arizona desert when Ohio State stunned Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the national title and the time in between has seemed like an eternity. It has been filled with scandal, verbal battles and outright greed.
Two elite programs dismissed their coaches for transgressions that had nothing to do with football. A prestigious conference, looking to make its mark in football, enticed several members from another league to jump ship, leaving that league to fight for its survival.
Players from one school were disciplined for selling their championship rings on Ebay while the national champions scrambled to quell speculation of academic impropriety.
"Some people say controversy can stir up interest," said West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, trying to put the problems in the best possible light. "At least it showed there is a passion for college football."
Rodriguez has a point. The only reason the public puts up with the mess is because college football remains a sport worth watching. Total attendance at Division IA games last season was 34.4 million, an all-time high. College football continues to have the most meaningful regular season in sports, one where national championships can be lost in September as well as January.
The Bowl Championship Series is not perfect, but it is better than the structured bowl system of a decade ago. Ohio State could not have played Miami in a title game in years past because it would have been tied to the Rose Bowl.
Sometimes the system works out just fine, like last year when the two remaining undefeated teams staged one of the epic games in football history.
Fast forward a few months and it is time for another campaign to play its course. The season begins in earnest on August 30 with a full slate of games, including Washington at Ohio State, two schools that endured a turbulent summer.
Washington begins life without coach Rick Neuheisel, who was fired for participating in an illegal NCAA basketball tournament pool. In Columbus, Ohio State hoped to bask in the glory of its first national title since 1968, but instead launched an investigation into the academic endeavors of its athletes after a newspaper story claimed star running back Maurice Clarett may have received some improper help in passing exams.
Other off-the-field issues prompted Ohio State to keep Clarett out of the team picture and at least the first week of practice.
Neuheisel claimed that he did nothing wrong, and his predicament seems far more dignified than that of Mike Price, who was fired as coach at Alabama without coaching a game. His date with destiny ended up being a visit to a strip club rather than an Iron Bowl battle with Auburn.
College football's biggest blemish was not Price but the decision of the Atlantic Coast Conference to stage a commando raid of the Big East. The decision to expand is a legitimate one, but the process was played out clumsily. The ACC first invited Boston College and Syracuse to join Miami, then left two schools at the altar and invited only Virginia Tech to join the Hurricanes next season.
"It took some turns that we did not anticipate," ACC commissioner John Swofford said. "While money was a factor, this was not all about the money."
Sure. And Alex Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers because he likes barbecue.
Miami and Virginia Tech will play one final season in the Big East, which has had a team play for the national title three times in the last four years. The Big East could add to that total this year thanks to Miami, which is stocked with talent and will hand the quarterback duties to Brock Berlin, a transfer who played for Steve Spurrier at Florida.
The Hurricanes' biggest threat in the Big East could come from Pittsburgh, which has emerged as a legitimate power under coach Walt Harris with one of the game's most exciting players in receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
The last team to repeat as national champion was Nebraska in 1995 and Ohio State will try to accomplish that feat with a team that returns almost all of its offensive starters, including quarterback Craig Krenzel.
Oklahoma again enters a season with national title expectations and could be headed to a clash in the Big 12 title game with Kansas State, which features quarterback Ell Roberson.
The Pac-10 Conference snapped a 20-year Heisman Trophy drought last season with Carson Palmer of USC, but has not won a national title since Washington in 1991. If coach Pete Carroll can find a replacement for Palmer, USC could be in the hunt this season.
One of the intriguing games on Labor Day weekend has USC visiting Auburn, which finally may be back in the SEC title mix under coach Tommy Tuberville. Georgia will give Auburn a run for its money, even if some Bulldog players hawked their SEC title rings on the internet.
Notable coaching changes in 2003 will have Mike Shula trying to clean up the mess in Alabama while Keith Gilbertson does the same in Washington. Dennis Franchione left Alabama to go to Texas A&M and Mike Riley is back for another stint at Oregon State.
Clarett put himself into the Heisman Trophy race as a freshman and can be a front-runner this season if he stays healthy and ends any doubts as to his eligibility. The field could include another Big Ten running back, Wisconsin's Anthony Davis, as well as quarterbacks Cody Pickett of Washington and Eli Manning of Mississippi.
That should prove to be interesting. e/
Good morning, NLionGuy...Joe just may as he nears the end of a fantastic career. Some of these Freshmen these days are at Senior Level in ability.
Colt
College Football 2003: Top 10 Games to Watch
August 13, 2003
By Doug Mittler
SportsTicker College Football Editor
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY (TICKER) -- A look at the 10 must-see games of the regular season:
1) AUGUST 30 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT AUBURN - A pair of rising programs with national title aspirations meet on Labor Day weekend. The quarterback who emerges as the replacement for Carson Palmer will face an Auburn defense that is among the best in the country.
2) SEPTEMBER 13 - NC STATE AT OHIO STATE - Chuck Amato gets to gauge the progress of his NC State program. An early-season meeting of Heisman Trophy candidates Maurice Clarett of Ohio State and Philip Rivers of NC State.
3) SEPTEMBER 13 - NOTRE DAME AT MICHIGAN - A 25-23 win over Michigan last year showed that Tyrone Willingham meant business at Notre Dame. The Wolverines seek revenge.
4) SEPTEMBER 20 - FLORIDA AT TENNESSEE - Ron Zook was just 8-5 in his first season at Florida, but the Gators spanked the Volunteers in Knoxville.
5) OCTOBER 4 - KANSAS STATE AT TEXAS - Kansas State, a legitimate national title candidate, faces its first real test of the season.
6) OCTOBER 11 - OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS AT DALLAS - Longhorn fans can't blame Chris Simms if they lose to the Sooners again.
7) NOVEMBER 1 - MIAMI AT VIRGINIA TECH - The lame ducks of the Big East meet in Blacksburg, where the Hokies nearly ended the Hurricanes' national title hopes a few years ago.
8) NOVEMBER 15 - AUBURN AT GEORGIA - Could be the first of two meetings, with the second coming in the SEC championship game.
9) NOVEMBER 22 - OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN - The 100th meeting in one of the best rivalries in football. Ohio State Jim Tressell has won his first two meetings with Michigan.
10) NOVEMBER 29 - MIAMI AT PITTSBURGH - Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese would like nothing better than for Pittsburgh to continue its rise to prominence with a win over Miami.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL '03 PREVIEW PACKAGE
August 12, 2003
Digest of stories in the College Football Preview Package, for the weekend of Aug. 16-17. Questions should be directed to Enterprise Editor Brian Friedman (212) 621-1641. For repeats, call the service desk: (212) 621-1595. For questions about photos call: (212) 621-1918.
The preseason AP Top 25 Poll will move on Saturday, Aug. 16, for Sunday, Aug. 17.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL '03:
Focus returns to field after eventful offseason
UNDATED -- College football was living high in January: A thrilling championship game with no controversy about its participants capped a season full of excitement. Then came the offseason. Two prominent coaches lost their jobs -- one for gambling and one for allegedly partying with strippers. Ohio State's title was called into doubt with questions about star Maurice Clarett's eligibility. And the ACC lured Miami and Virginia Tech away from the Big East, altering the landscape of college football.
Finally, it's time for the games to begin.
BC-FBC--College FB Overview.
By Football Writer Josh Dubow.
-- WITH:
-- BC-FBC--Scouting the Nation. By Josh Dubow.
-- BC-FBC--Top 25 Capsules. 2 Takes.
Ohio State's Clarett always on the run
AKRON, Ohio -- As usual, Maurice Clarett was the center of attention. Front row at center court, he had the best seat in the house to watch LeBron James. Back in January, three weeks after leading Ohio State to a national championship and six months before his academics and NCAA eligibility were under investigation, Clarett came to see James, his close friend, play one his final high school games. Clarett's appearance caused a stir in the tiny gym, where James is usually king. At halftime, Clarett was introduced by the PA announcer, who dedicated a song to him, pleading for him to stay at Ohio State. Not everyone in Ohio is singing the same tune these days. Because while there's no denying Clarett is a major star, he has also become a major distraction.
BC-FBC--Clarett's Run.
By Tom Withers.
Alabama tries to erase memories of difficult year
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Prominently displayed in the Bryant Museum on the Alabamas campus is a mural honoring the men who followed the Bear as Crimson Tide football coach. There's a tribute to a champion like Gene Stallings, an outsider like Bill Curry and even a failure like Mike DuBose. But for now, there's no mention of the two coaches who made this past year so difficult for what once was one of college football's premier program. As easy as it may be for a museum to avoid the history of Dennis Franchione, who defected for Texas A&M last December, and Mike Price, who was fired in a scandal in May, the memories are impossible to erase for Alabama fans.
BC-FBC--Bama's Blues.
By Football Writer Josh Dubow.
Old Warriors: Bowden, Paterno keep hanging on
UNDATED -- They are in the twilight of their careers, yet desperately trying to stay connected to the changing world of the kids they coach. On the recruiting trail, their rivals assail them for their age and the well-known fact that they won't be coaching too much longer.
Yet Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno keep plugging away -- two of the best coaches in history, neither with anything left to prove, both hanging in there while they struggle to find anything that would satisfy them more than being on the football field.
BC-FBC--Old Coaches.
By Eddie Pells.
Sadness, anger for Big East teams left behind
PITTSBURGH -- They feel much like a jilted lover, their feelings alternating between sadness, anger and regret. Making the breakup even harder is the fact they must see each other for another year, a much-too-visible reminder that the good times are all but over. They're the teams that were left behind -- the football-playing Big East Conference schools that are picking up the pieces of their shattered relationship with Miami and Virginia Tech. It was a union that brought much attention and considerable riches to all, only to end when the Hurricanes and Hokies ran off with a wealthier suitor from the South.
BC-FBC--Left Behind.
By Alan Robinson.
Replacement QBs ready to take their turn
LOS ANGELES -- Matt Leinart is ready to step in at Southern California. The same goes for Brock Berlin at Miami, Matt Kegel at Washington State and Chance Mock at Texas. Who are these guys? The starting quarterbacks for their respective schools entering the 2003 season, replacing a quartet of standout signal-callers who manned the position with excellence in recent years. Whether or not Leinart, Berlin, Kegel and Mock can do the job will soon be known. If not, someone else will get a shot.
BC-FBC--Replacement QBs.
By John Nadel.
Ole Miss' mellow Manning right at home in Oxford
OXFORD, Miss. -- Frat boys, novelists and retirees peacefully coexist in the boutiques and restaurants that surround the Lafayette County courthouse and make up Oxford's city square. It's a cozy place at the center of a unique college town. A place where the school's most popular football player and his equally famous father can grab a postgame po'boy without being hounded by overzealous admirers. In other words, it's the ideal home for a reluctant celebrity such as Eli Manning, Mississippi's modest star quarterback. The fifth-year senior decided in January to keep his apartment on the square for another year, putting the NFL on hold to complete his college career.
BC-FBC--Eli's Back.
By Ralph D. Russo.
After bitter 'Bama breakup, Franchione settling into Aggieland
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- While quarterback Dustin Long warmed up for Texas A&M's spring game, he paid close attention to the stands. Like all his teammates, Long was curious whether new coach Dennis Franchione would even come close to his goal of drawing 40,000 fans. The Aggies were greeted by a crowd of 41,072, up from 5,000 the previous year and more than many Division I-A schools get for homecoming. It was the ultimate proof that Coach Fran had captured the heart of Aggieland. And it's a feeling the folks in Alabama remember all too well.
BC-FBC--Texas A&M-Coach Fran.
By Jaime Aron. AP Photos TXDAM501 and TXDAM502 of Aug. 12
New breed of receiver in college football
AUSTIN, Texas -- When Roy Williams looks at a defensive back across the line of scrimmage, he usually likes what he sees. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, the Texas wide receiver towers over most college cornerbacks, creating an instant mismatch in man-to-man situations. The era of the small-fry receiver ducking for cover in the run-and-shoot is over. Williams and others like him -- Reggie Williams of Washington and Mike Williams of USC -- bring the size to withstand tough hits across the middle and the speed to break plays deep.
BC-FBC--New Breed Receivers.
By Jim Vertuno
Gore to keep Canes running for another national title
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- The Miami Hurricanes are turning to a third different starting running back in hopes of getting to a third consecutive national championship game. And despite a knee injury that kept him out all last season, many believe Frank Gore can be even better than his predecessors -- Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee.
BC-FBC--Miami-Gore.
By Mark Long.
-- ALSO MOVING:
Conference preview schedule for week of Aug. 18:
-- Monday AMs: Big 12.
-- Monday PMs: Pac 10.
-- Tuesday AMs: Big Ten.
-- Tuesday PMs: Conference USA.
-- Wednesday AMs: Big East.
-- Wednesday PMs: ACC.
-- Thursday AMs: SEC.
-- Thursday PMs: Mountain West.
-- Friday AMs: Notre Dame.
Replacing LJ: Several candidates for Penn State tailback job
Todd Ceisner, tceisner@centredaily.com
UNIVERSITY PARK - The battle for the starting tailback position at Penn State can be summed up in two words: Recall election.
It's that wide open.
But there was very little politicking by the candidates at Media Day last Saturday. They plan to let their showings in preseason practice speak for themselves and allow the coaches to pick a winner. Or maybe two. Or (gulp) maybe even three.
That's life when you're trying to replace a 2,000-yard rusher.
"I'd say anything's possible," said Chris Wilson, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound redshirt freshman who was the 2001 Maryland Gatorade player of the year. "We have a very good corps of running backs. Any one of us could take the starting spot."
By all accounts, the Nittany Lions are not lacking in talent at the tailback spot. What they do lack, however, is a seasoned veteran ready to grab the reins from Heisman Trophy finalist Larry Johnson, who rushed for 2,087 yards.
"We have a lot of good, young running backs. I'm really pleased with some of the kids we have right now," said head coach Joe Paterno. "We obviously have talent there. There are some kids there that I think can really be good."
Coming out of spring practice, junior Mike Gasparato was atop the depth chart, followed by senior Ricky Upton, redshirt freshman Donnie Johnson and sophomore Tim Shaw.
The elder statesmen of the bunch, Upton and Gasparato, have combined for 277 career yards on 52 combined attempts. Shaw, one of three true freshman to play a year ago, gained 59 yards on 14 carries.
Add Wilson and highly-regarded incoming freshmen Austin Scott, Tony Hunt and Rodney Kinlaw to the equation and it becomes a very crowded backfield.
Paterno said he hopes to have a starter in mind by the middle of next week.
"Someone will come to the front," said assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Fran Ganter. "Sean McHugh is there (at fullback). That position is pretty well set. As far as the tailback goes, someone is going to have a great preseason. It may be two guys. It may be three guys. We're going to try to get everyone the same amount of reps. They'll all get to run with the first team and they'll get their opportunities. Somebody will come to the front."
Ganter seemed convinced the cream will rise to the top this preseason but two years ago, the Nittany Lions entered the season without an established go-to tailback. The results were not pretty. The bulk of the carries were spread amongst Eric McCoo, Omar Easy, Larry Johnson and Eddie Drummond. McCoo led the foursome with 82 carries while Johnson had 337 yards, the lowest team-leading total since 1959. The offense sputtered as the team finished 5-6.
"There were games it worked out and games we didn't play well and people said it was because the tailback didn't get in the flow," Ganter said. "You look in the NFL and there are third-down backs and short-yardage backs and nobody talks about it up there. It's better the way we had it last year. It was so much easier for us to coach and prepare because Larry did everything.
"When we were trying to play those other guys, we tried to get McCoo in the game to do the things he did best and Omar went in and he did certain things. We couldn't just let them all sit on the bench. They didn't deserve that. They all deserved to play."
Gasparato, who rushed 32 times for 158 yards as Larry Johnson's backup, believes his experience last year, albeit limited, will help him this season.
"I'd get in there last year after Larry'd break a 70-yard run and the place was going nuts and I'd have the jitters," he said. "That's inexperience. That's being young. When you get in there this year, you have to play with intensity and calm down a little bit and do the things you know you can do. Those are the things I need to concentrate on."
Donnie Johnson, who had a good showing in the Blue-White Game, says the competition so far has been friendly.
"We're all at the same level and we're all just trying to work hard and get established," he said. "Whoever ends up number one on the depth chart, it's going to be close."
Shaw, the 2001 Gatorade player of the year in Michigan, sees the running back derby as the chance he's been waiting for.
"The way I see it, if you get the opportunity, you better capitalize on it or else they're probably going to look at somebody else. I think they'll search until they find that guy, who's going to be the guy every down," said Shaw. "I don't know if that's going to be sooner or later and I don't know if it's going to cause a problem. It really shouldn't. If you replace talent with talent, you're going to get good results."
Michigan's Jackson pleads not guilty, still practicing with team
By Gennaro A. Filice Iv
Michigan Daily
(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan defensive back Marlin Jackson was arraigned Tuesday on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault, according to Washtenaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Burke. Jackson, who will be a junior in the fall, appeared in front of 15th District Court Magistrate Michael Gatti and pleaded not guilty.
Along with a $2,000 fine, the Sharon, Pa., native faces up to four years in jail on the assault with a deadly weapon charge and one year of probation on the aggravated assault charge.
Jackson stands accused of striking a 26-year-old man over the head with a glass bottle after leaving a party in the early morning of June 1. The victim suffered three cuts around his left eye, including one that necessitated 17 stitches.
A preliminary hearing has been set for August 13.
At media day on Saturday, head football coach Lloyd Carr supported his star defensive back.
"Some of the leaks to the media have been inaccurate, and in my judgment, some of those leaks have been unprofessional, maybe worse," Carr said. "What I do know, what Marlin has told me, is that number one, he did not initiate the confrontation. Number two, and in my judgment the most critical issue, is that he is adamant that he did not use, or did not have possession of, a bottle or any kind of object. I think there's compelling evidence that supports his position.
"He is practicing and I will continue to let this situation play its way through the justice system and we'll see how it resolves itself, and at that time I will make some decisions on his status on this team."
This past spring, Carr moved Jackson from cornerback -- the position he played in his first two seasons at Michigan -- to free safety. Although the shift was experimental at first, Carr recently announced that Jackson would start at the position in Michigan's season opener against Central Michigan.
"[Moving Jackson to safety] gives us the advantage of putting our 11 best players on the field," Carr said. "It gets Marlin in a position, as a free safety or a safety who's in the middle of the field, where he's the kind of guy who's capable of making a lot of plays."
Jackson was selected as a leading candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive back. At Big Ten meetings in Chicago, the media named the 20-year-old preseason Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 2002, Jackson earned Associated Press second-team All-America honors and set a Michigan record in pass breakups with 18.
© 2002 Michigan Daily via U-WIRE
Michigan coach expects big things from freshmen class
By Gennaro A. Filice IV
Michigan Daily
(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A mere glimpse at incoming freshman LaMarr Woodley causes jaws to plummet at an Enron rate. At 6-foot-2, 263 pounds, the 18-year-old specimen who boasts a 4.5-second 40-yard dash time has turned many heads in his first week of practice with the University of Michigan, especially with a position change to defensive end.
After practicing the first three days of training camp at linebacker, the Saginaw native asked the coaching staff if he could move to the defensive line. On Saturday, Woodley completed his first day in a three-point stance.
"In high school, [Woodley] played a position where he was called a linebacker, but probably 95 percent of the time he rushed," coach Lloyd Carr said. "You ask a young kid to come in as a true freshman and to grasp all that is [asking] a lot, so we're going to try to put him in a position where he can do things that he's capable of doing at this stage and we'll see how that goes the next couple of weeks of training camp."
As one of 16 incoming freshman, Woodley isn't the only newcomer who's garnered attention in training camp. Michigan's recruiting class of 2003 was very highly regarded, making numerous national top-10 lists.
"We have a number of [freshman] that will factor in there at some point," Carr said. "Ryan Mundy has impressed. He and Prescott Burgess are our two young kids that we're trying to get up to speed."
Mundy, a safety from Wilkins Township, Pa., earned USA Today High School All-America second team honors as a senior. Hailing from Warren, Ohio, Burgess was named the No. 1 high school safety in 2002 by Rivals100.com. It is entirely possible that both players will see significant game time as true freshmen, especially if junior safety Marlin Jackson is convicted of felonious assault.
Another freshman looking to make an impact in the upcoming season is kicker Garrett Rivas. A blue chip recruit from Tampa, Fla., Rivas was named the No. 9 high school kicker in the nation by TheInsiders.com. Rivas will compete with junior Adam Finley and senior Phillip Brabbs for starting at place-kicker duties.
"He's a confident guy," Carr said of Rivas. "I think he's what we thought he would be, but again, we're just in the beginning. He's kicked the ball very, very well and there's no hesitation in him. He's one of those guys that possess a kind of poise and confidence you need in a position like that."
Carr's job of acclimating the freshmen into the Michigan program will be tougher this season because the NCAA eliminated freshmen orientation -- Carr says he used to meet with freshmen a few days before the rest of the team and "orientate them better academically and in terms of football."
"I do think that was a mistake," Carr said. "I think there's a lot of coaches that feel that way. It really puts a lot more pressure on [the freshmen].
"What we've tried to do instead of our situational drills is we've tried to have some plays designed for them. In other drills we've added a five-minute period at the end of a period where all the plays that were called in that segment are designed for them."
Not only does Carr ready freshmen for game situations, but he prepares the fresh faces for post-game scenarios as well.
"There are some basic fundamentals, just as there are in the game, that you use to deal with the media," Carr said. "I try to tell them the people that they are going to come in contact [with] have a job to do. They're not necessarily your friends. They have a responsibility. Don't say anything that you don't want to see in print.
"All of the sudden, when you've got four or five people standing around you with a camera, with a notepad, with a tape recorder, those are all things that you have to gain confidence with."
© 2002 Michigan Daily via U-WIRE
Campuses nationwide gear up for college football
By Christopher LaForgia
The Dartmouth
(U-WIRE) HANOVER, N.H. -- One hundred seventeen schools around the country are getting ready for the 2003 NCAA football season. From Troy State to Florida State and from Utah State to Nebraska, every campus gets excited for the fall season. The following are my predictions for the 2003 season, which probably will not all be correct.
If you want something that will definitely happen, I can only guarantee the following: Baylor, Rutgers, Duke, Vanderbilt, Kansas and Temple will all have losing seasons.
Big East Champions -- Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes appear to have the same firepower as last year's runner-up squad. Florida transfer Brock Berlin will start at quarterback and Frank Gore takes over for Willis MaGahee at tailback after MaGahee was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL draft last April.
What many people forget is that Gore was the projected starter over MaGahee last season before Gore blew out his ACL. Berlin and Gore team up with tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and an even better defense, making the Hurricanes a top team. Road games at Florida Sate, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh could stand in Miami's way.
Contenders: Virginia Tech Hokies, Pittsburgh Panthers
The Panthers have been receiving a lot of press as a possible surprise team this year, but I feel Virginia Tech is Miami's biggest threat in the Big East. Tech has Kevin Jones Jr. coming in as one of the top-rated running backs in the country. The pressure is on quarterback Byron Randall to produce. If he doesn't, Marcus Vick (little brother to Michael Vick) is waiting to show his athleticism on the field.
OFFSEASON DEVELOPMENT
After losing recent scrimmages against local junior-high football teams, Rutgers has decided to call it a year, and forfeit the season. Teams like Miami, Syracuse and Virginia Tech were outraged that they could no longer beat the Scarlet Knights 84-0 again this year. Key Game: Miami at Virginia Tech, Nov. 1
Big Ten Champions: Michigan Wolverines
I realize that everyone is picking Ohio State as Big Ten Champs again, but I honestly do not see that happening. The off-field distractions surrounding Maurice Clarett and the fact that all other teams will be gearing up to play the reigning national champs leads me to conclude that Ohio State will have a good year, but no national championship.
Since 1950, only two teams have won back-to-back titles and I don't expect this Ohio State team to join that list. Expect the Buckeyes to go 10- 2 with an early loss to either Washington or NC State. Michigan is led by Heisman hopeful John Navarre. An early matchup against Notre Dame will be important not only to avenge last year's defeat at the hands of the Irish, but also to set the tone for this year. Team that could steal Big Ten Title: Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers enter the season with two game-breakers on the offensive side of the ball. Plainfield, N.J., native Anthony Davis has run for over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons, despite missing a game last season due to a stab wound. Lee Evans at wideout is one of the top receivers in the country after setting a Big Ten record with 1,545 yards last season.
Three-year backup Jim Sorgi steps in as the starter at quarterback and will need to get the ball to Evans for the Badgers to be successful. With easy nonconference games, Michigan not on the schedule and Ohio State at home, the Badgers could win the Big Ten this year. Key Game: Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 22
ACC Champion: North Carolina State Wolfpack
The team's success hinges on Heisman hopefuls Phillip Rivers and T.A. McLendon, and a trip to Ohio State on September 13. A loss here will greatly hurt national title hopes and derail Heisman hopes as an early Ohio State loss did to Jason Gesser of Washington State last year. A win against Ohio State will skyrocket NC State in the polls and put them in the national limelight.
Surprise team in the ACC: Virginia Cavaliers
After beating NC State and Maryland at the tail end of the 2002 season and coming off a victory against rival West Virginia in a bowl matchup, the Cavs come into the season with some momentum. The pressure is on quarterback Matt Schaub to recreate last year's magic. The Cavs have to get a couple easy wins against W. Michigan, Troy State and Duke before traveling to NC State and Maryland. Key Game: Florida State at Virginia, Oct. 18
This will be a big game for both teams for Virginia should be 5-1 or even 6-0 heading in while the Seminoles will probably be coming off a loss to Miami.
SEC Champions: Auburn Tigers
Auburn has one of the best backfields in recent memory. The Tigers have such top-flight running backs that last year's 1,000-yard back Ronnie Brown will be third string. Cadallac Williams will start and looks to bounce back after breaking his leg against Florida last year. With three quality rushers, the Tigers can pound the ball in late season matchups against Georgia and 'Bama to lead the Tigers to an SEC title. Overrated: Florida Gators
The losses of Rex Grossman, Taylor Jacobs and eight starters on defense open the door for Georgia, Tennesse and Vanderbilt to win the SEC East. If you just believed that Vanderbilt will actually win even one conference game, I highly recommend you watch the Commodores play. They are the Rutgers of the South for football with 20 straight losing seasons. Key Game: Auburn at Georgia, Nov. 15
Big 12 Champions: Texas Longhorns
Kansas State, Oklahoma and Texas all came out in the preseason ranking in the top five showing how tough the Big 12 will be this year. I chose Texas because there are less reasons to go against them than Kansas State and OU.
I am not sold on Jason White and his bum knees at quarterback and I do not foresee the backups leading OU to a national championship. While the OU defense is top in the nation, it cannot do it all.
I think Kansas State will win the Big 12 North but they often have late season disasters. I do not think KSU can win at Nebraska, versus Mizzou, and at the Big 12 Championship in four weeks to be in the national title.
Texas has the best wide receiver core in the country with B.J. Johnson and Roy Williams. Chance Mock will replace Chris Simms at quarterback and cannot collapse against OU like Simms often did. With home games against Kansas State and Nebraska, Texas should win the Big 12.
Fact: Kansas State, a team looking for a run at a national championship, has games against Troy State, McNeese State and UMass. Those games will look great in strength of schedule. Key Game: Red River Shootout, Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct. 11
Pac 10 Champions: Arizona State Sun Devils
Quarterback Andrew Walter is key to the Sun Devils' success. Their schedule is easy enough out of conference to reach 10 wins. Oregon State, with Heisman dark horse Stephen Jackson at running back, will pose the largest threat in the Pac 10. Key Game: Arizona State at Oregon State, Sept. 27
© 2002 The Dartmouth via U-WIRE
Update/Correction Re: Subways. I think you're right, Ksquared. They were just describing the ordeal on Fox and Friends. So put the subway in the elevator for sure. Don't think I'll be going to NY city anymore, at least not anytime soon.
Colt
TH and Troy, I have to agree. More and more of the various organizations I belong to, some of which I know TH belongs to are finding it hard to support either Bush or anyone in the Democratic party. Our Govt. is thinking about us less and less. At least they are not thinking about us in the good sense of the word. Every last one of them in office need a wakeup call. I wish someone, Rep/Dem/Indep would step up and do what's right by the people of America. Too many of the DC politicos have been there way too long. I can't see voting for any of the nine Dems and Bush better get his act together in a hurry or Heaven forbid, Slick Willie will once again be sleeping in the White House with President Clinton. LOL
I LOL it now but, it is getting serious. Ten years from now we'll be lucky if we have one Constitutional Right left. Bush has not been the best of friends to us gun owners, ranchers and farmers and wildlife enthusiast's (Not talking about the PETA's, Greenpeace'ers and Save The Whale'ers...talking more about TRCP <Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, NRA, etc>. Time possible for a bitch slap upside his head.
Colt, dumbfounded on who to vote for in 04.
Naw, Ksquared...Not you people in New Jersey? I am Totally Shocked!!! :>)
Colt
Here's a couple more...
Colt bolting steps of the blind to the porch.
Now we can get curb service at our local blind.
And we offer drive thru oil changes.
Ksquared, you were asking about the bigger truck, the 4 dr. 4x4 diesel. Here's a couple shots of it and my Butt!!! LOL
Colt in bed of truck getting ready to raise the blind.
Colt hooking up the winch cable
Colt guiding the raising of the blind. Playing Superman!
Justin,
I meant to say something the other night about you losing your friend and neighbor to a heart attack. That's a bummer. Sorry to hear about it but, know that he is in a much better place.
Colt
Texan/New Jerseyite Ksquared, when you get through with that cold front, send it down here to Justin and I. I'm ready for temps in the 69 degree range. LOL
Colt
I honestly think I'd freak out getting stuck in aa highrise elevator. I think I could deal with the subway easier but, a crowded elevator gives me chills. I can take anything in the world except being closed in. Claustrophobia takes over and it ain't fun. I think I must have been tortured in a dungeon in a prior life. :>)
Colt
Heck, Ksquared, it was almost freezing when I woke up this morning. Looks like we've skipped fall and moved right into winter. LOL That'll be the day!
Summer sounds in the outdoors are great. All around it is so quiet and peaceful except for the sounds of Nature! Almost Zen like.
Colt
Ksquared, long, lost relative of Howard Hughes (the ultimate hand washer), washing hands after playing with chemicals is good! Just don't get like Unkie Howie and start wearing gloves 24/7...LOL
Speaking of experience with burning...when I was a youngster, we were burning brush and I thought the process was going too slow. So I went and fetched a gasoline can that had about a half a gallon in it. Ol' Smart one, stood about 5' from the fire and threw the gasoline onto the fire like I was throwing out the bath water, as they say. Whoooooooooooompsssssshhhhhh, there went my eyebrows and hair on my arms. I know, STUPID ... but, being a young teen who had already found out about girls and was able to drive on the country roads, I was in a hurry. Needless to say, on one hand I was lucky (didn't kill myself) and on the other hand I was unlucky (missed out on a date that night with a real cutie). I've done a lot of stupid things in my life but, I am proud to say, I rarely do the same one, twice! Lessons learned in life...!
Colt
This is crazy. Not even female sports are immune to scandel. WNBA scandal
Ex-Sparks player investigated in alleged sexual assault
August 14, 2003
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Former WNBA player Latasha Byears, who helped the Los Angeles Sparks to two league championships, is under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a former teammate, a television station reported.
Byears and three men who have no connection to the Sparks allegedly raped the victim at a party following a June 5 game against the Sacramento Monarchs at Staples Center, KCOP-TV reported Tuesday night.
No one has been arrested, but the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Wednesday there is an investigation involving several male and female basketball players. Sheriff's Deputy David Cervantes would only say a report was taken in the case.
The Sparks waived Byears on June 10, five days after the alleged incident. She did not play in a June 7 game against the Monarchs in Sacramento because she was dealing with a personal matter, team officials said at the time.
Sparks spokeswoman Kristal Shipp said Wednesday the team has been contacted by authorities and is cooperating.
"We are aware of the serious nature of the police investigation and we are cooperating in every way," she said in a statement. "We don't know the facts, so until the investigation and the judicial process, if there is one, are completed, it would not be appropriate for us to make any comment."
Byears, 30, was traded by Sacramento to the Sparks in 2000. She spent four years with the Monarchs but had troubles on and off the court.
She pleaded no contest to reckless driving in 2002 and was suspended for one game. Later that year she was suspended for two games after throwing a ball at Michelle Marciniak's face during a game against the Seattle Storm.
Byears, who is no longer playing in the WNBA, ranks eighth all-time in field goal percentage (.514) and is among the top 10 rebounders in league history. She averaged 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds this season.
Known as "Tot," a nickname given by her grandmother, Byears played at DePaul and was a second-team All-America as a junior in 1994-95 and was a first-team selection as a senior.
In an article published in the July issue of GQ magazine, Byears referred to herself as the toughest player in the WNBA and said she wanted to open a restaurant or a nightclub when her playing days ended.
"I been in this league six years now. I came in through the back door," she told the magazine. "But I'm leaving through the front, side and middle. Man, roll the red velvet out for me, 'cause I'm the boss."
Wednesday's Action: Shock 78, Mercury 76
PHOENIX (AP) -- Cheryl Ford had 17 points and 15 rebounds, and the Detroit Shock rallied to defeat the Phoenix Mercury 78-76 Wednesday night.
Deanna Nolan added 20 points and Swin Cash 19 as the Eastern Conference leaders won for the first time in seven games at America West Arena.
After Phoenix's Anna DeForge made a 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left to pull within 77-76, Nolan missed one of two free throws, allowing Phoenix a last-second chance. But DeForge missed a 21-footer with 2.5 seconds left and Detroit ran out the clock.
Detroit (21-8) had to make up a 14-point deficit in the first half and overcome 22 turnovers against the WNBA losingest team.
DeForge had 21 points, 12 on 3-pointers, to lead Phoenix (6-23).
Despite trailing much of the night, the Shock got the lead for good on Nolan's 3-point play with 3:33 left at 70-67. Ford's free throws with 29.5 seconds left put Detroit up 76-71, but Plenette Pierson responded with 24.9 seconds remaining and Nolan was fouled 1.2 seconds later.
She made one of two free throws.
The Mercury, last in the league in field goals, free throws and total points, were outshot and outrebounded by the Shock, which leads the league in offense and rebounds. Phoenix has lost three in a row.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/wnba/news/2003/08/13/wnba_rape_ap/
Pondering Parity: Analyzing whether the NBA is becoming a two-tier league
August 12, 2003
By John Hollinger, SI.com (You need to open up the link below to get a look at the charts)
If you look at this summer's free-agent moves, the NBA's rich are getting quite a bit richer.
The evidence is beyond doubt. The Lakers, of course, added Gary Payton and Karl Malone, while the World Champion San Antonio Spurs rearmed with Rasho Nesterovic and Hedo Turkoglu. Meanwhile, the Kings, Nets, Pistons and Timberwolves all made major moves of their own to improve. Given that those teams had the league's six best records a year ago, one has to wonder if the league quickly will separate into the haves and have-nots.
But whether we should be appalled or apathetic about the offseason developments depends largely on our perception of whether this is par for the course in the NBA. The question, then, is whether we are seeing something historically unprecedented or if the league gone through other eras where the disparity between teams was much greater.
To measure that in a fairly simple way, I went through the past 20 seasons and measured the number of teams who won or lost 50 games, and the number who won or lost 60 games.
From that, we can get a "Parity Index" -- a measure of how even the league was from top to bottom during a given season. I came up with the Parity Index by adding the number of teams that won or lost 50 games and the number of teams that won or lost 60 games, and then dividing by the number of teams in the league.
The idea is that in a balanced league, most of the teams will gravitate toward 41-41, while in less competitive times, teams will be pulled toward the extremes. A league where no team won or lost 50 games would have a Parity Index of 0.00, while a league where every team won or lost 60 or more games would have a Parity Index of 2.00.
Let's take a look at the best and worst seasons since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/statitudes/news/2003/08/12/statitudes_0812/
The late 1990s were the most stratified time in NBA history, and not only because the Bulls were busy crushing everyone. The 1997-98 season was a bizarre year, not only because 10 teams won at least 50 games, but because an amazing six teams lost at least 60.
It wasn't like they were right on 60 or 61, either. The 1997-98 Nuggets were one of the worst teams in the history of basketball, going 11-71. Nobody shot above 45 percent or averaged more than 15 points; Johnny Newman was their leading scorer. The expansion Grizzlies were nearly as bad at 16-66.
It was nearly as bad in 1996-97. The Bulls beat up on the league at 69-13 and nine other teams won 54 games, while in the "have-nots" category, the Celtics and Grizzlies couldn't manage to win more than 15.
Many will be surprised to see that 1993-94 ranks so highly, given that a fairly prominent player by the name of Michael Jordan had retired the year before. But it was one of only four seasons in history where 10 teams won at least 50 games. Even more striking, only four teams won between 34 and 46 games. Basically, everyone was either really good or really bad.
While the '90s were the worst decade for parity, the post-merger era was the best:
The three years immediately following the merger were a socialist's dream, with wins divided nearly equally among the protelariat. That continued a pattern that existed throughout the '70s, when decidedly un-dominant teams like Golden State (48 wins) and Washington (44) walked off with championships. It slowly unwound in the mid-'80s as the Celtics-Lakers duopoly rose to prominence, but as late as 1984, there was only one team with more than 54 wins and none with fewer than 26.
On a bit of a side note, this is also massive fodder for those who would argue that dynasties are the key to the sport's popularity. The late 1970s and early 1980s were about the worst time in the league's history, and it was saved only when the Celtics-Lakers rivalry emerged. Meanwhile, the seasons in the 1990s listed above are the unquestioned centerpiece of the league's heyday.
Which brings us to the current era. I only included the top five on the list above, but let's now add the three next most evenly contested seasons:
As you can see, the past two seasons have had as much parity as any in the past two decades. It's perhaps no accident that the league's ratings have suffered a bit. In 2001-02, even as the Lakers were clinging to a third straight championship, the league was unusually balanced. No team won or lost more than 61 games, while 12 teams won between 36 and 45.
The chart probably underestimates how much parity there was in 2002-03. The season's Parity Index would have equaled 2001-02's if San Antonio had won its meaningless final game against Dallas, but the Mavs' win added a second 60-win team.
Additionally, nearly all the 50- and 60-win teams from that year barely qualified. The two 60-win teams won exactly 60, while three of the five 50-win teams won exactly 50 and another won 51. Meanwhile, 10 teams won between 35 and 44 games, and in a further sign of the parity, the Spurs became the first team to win a title while losing at least twice in every playoff series.
Viewed in that context, the fact that the league's rich got richer this summer is hardly a sign of impending doom or competitive imbalance. After the relative parity of the past two seasons, the pendulum is overdue to swing back in the direction of more 50- and 60-win (and 50- and 60-loss) teams.
In fact, even with the offseason moves, it's hardly apparent that the league will divide into princes and paupers. Even if the top four teams in the West win 60 games, that wouldn't be more than in 1998. And unlike that season, when six teams lost at least 60 games, only the Hawks and perhaps Utah look to be bad enough to pull the feat off this year.
So the next time somebody complains that the top teams got too powerful this summer, my reply will be: It's about time.
John Hollinger covers the NBA for SI.com and is the author of Pro Basketball Prospectus.
Oh man, if the Blazers get Tracy McGrady next year, Katy Bar The Door. That would make the Blazers really hard to beat.
Colt
LOL. e/