The Sports Rumors

College Football Players…NFL Head Coaches… Money… Power…

Another busy day at work for me which means I don’t have much time to say too much (I don’t know if that’s for the better or worse). Regardless, here’s what’s on my mind.

Ryan Mallet, quarterback of Michigan, will be transferring out because new coach Rich Rodriguez runs a spread offense and his pocket style passing has no place in it. Consequently, Mallet will be ineligible to play for one year, while Rodriguez obviously won’t be. I don’t know if I can think of a scenario in sports right now that screams injustice and double standard more than the way college football players and college coaches are treated differently. I understand that the NCAA doesn’t want players hopping around from school to school as if they were in the NFL. But there has to be some middle ground. Off the top of my head, the easiest solution to this is for college players to be able to transfer out of a school if their current coach is replaced and not face a penalty of one year. So for Mallet’s example, he can transfer to wherever and be eligible to play right away because his previous coach, Lloyd Carr, was replaced. This current system of transfer penalties if you will is not fair and has to stop.

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I can’t remember where I read it, I think it was in Sports Illustrated, but it was about some writer making the case for how it is unfair that college players are not paid for playing college football. The argument, as I’ve heard for years, is that they bring in so much money for the schools via bowl games and television contracts etc, that it is unfair that they don’t see a dime. Excuse me? Last I checked, the average college education for four years in a public institution costs somewhere in the ballpark of $80,000. That is instate mind you. So getting a full ride to a higher level education by playing a game in which they get PLENTY of other “unofficial” perks isn’t enough? B.S. College football players have it great, and I don’t care if they play for Duke or USC. A program paying for your entire education that will give you the fallback of having a plethora of jobs available to you when you graduate (assuming they aren’t going to the NFL) is more than enough compensation. And not to mention the fact that you are treated like a God even if you’re the third string offensive lineman. So enough with the “lets pay college athletes” crap.

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If I hear one more person say either of the two statements, my head will literally pop off:

1. Bill Cowher said he’s not considering a return to the NFL until 2009. He said so.
2. Pete Carroll won’t leave USC for the NFL unless it’s on the west coast.

Let me address the first statement of idiocy. Really? Bill Cowher won’t listen if someone is dangling control of personnel decisions and $8-10 million? He’s going to pass that up to stay as an analyst with CBS? That’s funny because I remember the likes of Dennis Green, Marty Schottenheimer, Dick Vermiel, Joe Gibbs, and Bill Parcells (twice) saying that they were going to stay in the booth. Don’t be naïve and think that if becoming the highest paid coach with a good team would be something Cowher would pass up for the sake of remaining as an analyst.

The second ludicrous statement. Now that it is official that Pete Carroll is considering the Atlanta Falcons job, do you think that he wouldn’t listen hard if Washington (playoff team), Baltimore (a season removed from being 13-3) or other teams came calling? “I don’t see Pete Carroll leaving USC for anywhere but the west coast” to quote friend and site contributor Basil. Last I checked, Atlanta ain’t on the east coast buddy. Holding out for a west coast NFL job means that Carroll would wait for Seattle, San Diego, or the greatest job of all, Oakland. Yeah, so much for that theory. Carroll will jump at the first opportunity he gets if the right pieces are in place. What are the right pieces? Money and power. I previously thought that Carroll would also want a somewhat established team or at least a team with a tradition and history. I guess that flies out the window if he’s considering Atlanta; the worst job to take over in the league right now and a town with no football history/tradition. You have a head coaching vacancy, and you have power to offer with a lot of money to throw in, give Pete Carroll a call.

The BCS National Championship Game

Jan 7, 8:30pm FOX, The BCS National Championship Game, #1 Ohio State (11-1) vs #2 Louisiana State (11-2)

Well, its here folks. The mythical national championship game is upon us. OSU vs LSU for all the marbles. In a season that did nothing but prove that a playoff is needed to crown a championship, we are given this game for all the marbles. Who’s gonna take home the trophy? Let’s take a look…

OFFENSE: The edge here goes to LSU. They have athletes coming out the wazoo on offense, and we already know Les Miles won’t hesitate to make the gutsy call. They have a rotating qb system led by SR Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux and a whole slew of running backs that can get it done, with Jacob Hester being the main horse. In a defensive struggle, I give them the nod. Ohio State is too vanilla on offense for my taste. Beanie Wells is an okay back, but nothing overtly special, just another typical Big 10/11 back. Todd Boeckman, despite being hyped by Jessie Palmer and ESPN, is nothing special at all; his saving grace is that he isn’t known to make dumb decisions.

DEFENSE: This is where the NFL calibur talent exists in this game. Glenn Dorsey, despite being injured by a cut block by Auburn, is a beast; look for him to take at least a double-team all game, he is an impact player. James Laurinitis is the main man on the Ohio State defense, he is very good but not great; I suspect if he played for anyone other than Ohio State that he would not be an all-american, but I digress. At any rate, this will be a defensive struggle with LSU having the ever-so-slight edge.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The edge clearly goes to LSU. Les Miles will pull out all the stops in this area (see: USC game). OSU isn’t bad on special teams but LSU is coached up much more and executes better.

Look for LSU to celebrate in their home away from home tonight.

Pick: LSU 28 - OSU 24

The Orange Bowl

I missed my preview of the Orange Bowl because I was traveling there and never got to it. I have many thoughts about that abortion of a game. Sit down, this is going to get ugly:

• Bryan Stinespring is *the worst* offensive coordinator in college football today, period. Brandon Ore was dominating on the ground… one of the only times this season he has done so and we just stop handing the ball off and turn into Hawaii on offense. Inexcusable. If I were to be that inept at my job, I would be fired.
• Frank Beamer. What were you doing this past month? It was apparent in the stands Thursday night that focusing on football was not in the Hokies’ itinerary. It looked like the players were sluggish and complacent and, to be frank, they looked like they were just happy to be there and wanted no part in that game. For Shame Frank, this is why Hokie football gets disrespected.
• The weather was horrible. I thought I was going to Miami. This has nothing to do with VT football, but it still angered me when I arrived that it was 45 degrees and raining.
• Back to Frank Beamer. Shaun put it best with his phone call after the game: “I didn’t think there was any way we would lose to Kansas but I’m really not surprised.” Virginia Tech is 1/5 in the last 5 bowl games we have been in. Pathetic. Only UNC and Dook have worse Bowl records in the ACC. You are starting to lose your touch, Frank. I love what you have done with the team but I can’t stand to see any more games like this. How VT can lose national games in which we are favored is beyond me. Is the stage too big? Is the seat too hot? Perhaps it is time for you to move on to AD and hand the reins to Bud Foster.

I paid all that hard-earned money to go down to Miami in crappy weather and watch my favorite team in any level, any sport crap the bed. I am not amused.

Thoughts on Yesterday’s Games

I’m done listening to people say “Hawaii didn’t belong in a BCS game” because they got ravaged by Georgia.  Really?  So you’re telling me that a team goes undefeated doesn’t belong in one of the BCS games because they aren’t from a major conference?  Really?  Especially after what Boise State did last year?  Give me a break.  Hawaii probably couldn’t beat Georgia regardless of whether the Bulldogs were having a good game or a bad game.  But the fact of the matter is that Georgia was thought by MANY to be the best team in the country at this point in the season.  Georgia would have punished the majority of teams who played in any of the bowls.  You can’t sit here today and say that Hawaii didn’t belong because they lost to a powerhouse.  If you believe that, then say flat out that you don’t want any teams that are not from the SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 in the BCS games.  Don’t be a hypocrite and say “Wow, Boise St. was a great story last year” and turnaround and say “Hawaii doesn’t belong”.  You have got to give these smaller schools an opportunity to prove themselves when they earn it.  Hawaii earned their right to an opportunity by winning all of their games.  What more could they have done?  Stop holding the smaller schools that DESERVE a chance down. 

Urban Meyer is a prick.  I can’t stand him, never could, never will.  Letting his Florida boys jump around midfield before the game was not only disrespectful to the opponent, but disrespectful to the game.  Act like you’ve been there before and show a little class.  And if you’re going to act like a Terrell Owens-like-jerk, at least back it up with a win.  I’m glad Michigan beat that ass. 

USC is NOT the best team in the country.  I am so disgusted with the love USC is getting by everyone.  Yes, they may be playing the best football RIGHT NOW.  I agree with that.  That doesn’t mean you should be in the national title game.  The football season doesn’t start in the last week of November.  You have to play the best football for the entire season to be a national title candidate.  Losing to Stanford means that you were not that.  End of story.  I don’t give a rat’s ass how good they’re playing right now.  You know who else is playing really good right now?  Georgia.  Virginia Tech.  Even Michigan.  They’re not in the title game and don’t deserve to be because they didn’t do it consistently over the entire season.  Just because its USC and Pete Carroll is a loveable guy doesn’t mean you hold them to a different standard. 

BCS Bowl Predictions (2/5)

Jan 1, 8:30pm FOX, The Sugar Bowl, #4 Georgia (10-2) vs #10 Hawaii (12-0)

I know I said that I would provide a more in-depth preview for the BCS games but, honestly, this game doesn’t deserve it. To quote a friend’s father: “Hawaii is a paper tiger only, they fattened themselves up by playing St. Mary’s school for the blind.”

Hawaii is good on O but, once again, we have no idea just how good they are because they have played literally nobody. Even at that, their D is suspect. Look for Knowshon Moreno to continue to remind folks in Athens of a man named Herschel.

Pick: Georgia 31 - Hawaii 21

Bowl Season Thoughts Thus Far

Here we are, deep into the greatest time of the year for myself and all other college football fans. With most of the lower-tiered (a.k.a. garbage) bowls out of the way, we can now move on to the games with the real marquee value. Before we do this, I want to comment a little on what I have seen, thus far.

J-Train off the tracks
I am sick and tired of hearing about how Jorvorskie Lane of Texas A&M is an Earl Campbell /Jerome Bettis hybrid. He might just be the most overrated thing to come out of Texas since GWB and (according to Basketball enthusiasts) last year’s Mavericks. In case you missed the Alamo bowl, the “J-Train” ended the day with 10 carries, 34 yards, and 0 TDs; moreover, he had a crying, screaming meltdown at the end of the game. At this point I will pause to let you watch the video (please forgive the lame audio track, it is the only version of the video I can find):

18 seconds into the video, Lane can be seen mouthing “Well then, Fu*k you Ni*ga!” to a teammate who is obviously trying to console him… real good teammate, bud. The thing that gets me, at his size, he *should* be a bruiser but he plays like he isn’t (good example was also in the Alamo Bowl, he was routinely taken down rather easily by PSU’s 180lb CBs). If I were Mike Sherman, the first thing I would do is lay it down for Mr. Lane: either you drop 50 lbs or I’m moving you to the o-line; either get a better attitude or you are off the team. Plain and simple.

Watch Out for FAU
I picked against them, I was an idiot. Howard Schnellenberger is a coaching genius. Much like USF, look for FAU to move into the Big East within 5 years and start to kick ass/take names. Rusty Smith, their QB, already looks like the second best QB in the state of FL. It just goes to show you how much sicknasty talent is in FL high school football that you have this many D1 schools doing so well.

Detroit Rock City
In the best bowl game so far, Purdue narrowly edged out Central Michigan. It was a good game, but you have to question the play calling by CMU’s coach Butch Jones. With 1 minute left, and with the ball in the red zone, why was there not a more concerted effort to move the ball on the ground and/or eat up more clock? You lost your team the game, Butch.

BCS Bowl Predictions (1/5)

Now that the lower-tiered bowls are out of the way, I can focus on the BCS previews. For these, I will go a little more in-depth than the previous picks.First up, “The Granddaddy of them All.”

Jan 1, 4:30pm ABC, The Rose Bowl, #6 Southern California (10-2) vs #13 Illinois (9-3)

When this matchup came up, I was very puzzled to say the least. Although Illinois had a very good year, especially considering their previous years, the Big10/11 was A-W-F-U-L this year. I understand the “tradition” of the Rose Bowl dictates a Pac10 vs Big10/11 showdown, but seriously the Rose Bowl needs to get over itself and start playing nicely with others. They need to give people games they want to see, and not be so locked into mindless tradition.

At any rate, when Southern California (notice how I do not say USC because that team resides in Columbia, SC) has the ball, look for them to lull Illinois to sleep with their stable of dominating running backs, then strike quick with the play action. Look for TE Fred Davis to have a good day against the Illini.

On the Illinois side of the ball, they have some definite playmakers. Rashard Mendenhall is an absolute monster, gaining 1526 yards on 245 carries this season, with QB Juice Williams sitting at 774 yards rushing and 1498 yards passing. Although the Illini are the definition of 1-dimensional, that one demension is utilized very well in the spread option scheme. Most importantly, they do not turn the ball over very much. Southern California is 4th in the nation in rushing defense, but they will still have their hands full with Illinois. The Zooker will be studying copious tapes of SoCal’s game against Oregon for inspiration.

Special teams seem to be a wash, with maybe a slight edge given to Illinois.

Pick: Southern California 34 - Illinois 17

College Football Bowl Predictions (3 of 4)

Dec 30, 8pm ESPN, Petrosun Independence Bowl. Alabama (6-6) vs Colorado (6-6)
Neither of these teams deserves a bowl game. This should be a sloppy, turnover-filled game.
Pick: Colorado 28 - Alabama 17

Dec 31, 12:30pm ESPN, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. California (6-6) vs Air Force (9-3)
Cal, after losing 6 of their last 7 games, should not be in a bowl game this year… period. Those players have quit and Air Force should have their way with them. It is laughable that Cal goes bowling while Troy (8-4) sits at home.
Pick: Air Force 48 - Cal 35

Dec 31, 2pm CBS, Sun Bowl. #23 South Florida (9-3) vs Oregon (8-4)
Remember when Oregon had a Heisman-lock at QB in Dennis Dixon and were throttling teams with their spread option attack? Well, Dixon went down as did the play from Oregon. USF has a decent qb and an athletic, speedy defense that will get after you.
Pick: South Florida 21 - Oregon 14

Dec 31, 2pm ESPN2, Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl. Georgia Tech (7-5) vs Fresno St (8-4)
Who wants to travel to Boise, Idaho for a bowl game? Georgia Tech has the talent to beat Fresno St, but I think they are just going to mail it in and wait for the Paul Johnson era to begin.
Pick: Fresno St 31 - Georgia Tech 27

Dec 31, 4pm ESPN, Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl. Kentucky (7-5) vs Florida St (7-5)
Another ho-hum matchup. Kentucky started out on fire and turned into, well, Kentucky football. FSU had big plans for the year but the game and todays players seem to have passed Bobbah by. I think Woodson has a big day in his last game as a Wildcat.
Pick: Kentucky 30 - Florida St 17
Note: this game may even be uglier than this due to the cheating scandal at FSU… ouch.

Dec 31, 5:30pm NFL Network, Insight Bowl. Indiana (7-5) vs Oklahoma St (6-6)
Indiana fans this year, like Rutgers fans last year, are pissed that their first bowl game in ages won’t be on broadcast tv. In the words of Oklahoma St HC Mike Gundy, “THATS GARBAGE!” At any rate, Indiana is riding a wave of emotion and I think it continues through to this game, despite said coach Gundy Being “A MAN… 40!”
Pick: Indiana 37 - Oklahoma St 35

Dec 31, 7:30pm ESPN, Peach Bowl. #15 Clemson (9-3) vs #22 Auburn (8-4)
I refuse to call this the Chik-Fil-A Bowl. This will be a very good game. Clemson’s Cullen Harper has come on strong to finish the season at QB and the backfield combo of Spiller and Davis is as good as anybody in the country. Will Muschamp’s boys will be fired up on D for this game. Unless Brandon Cox screws the pooch a la Sean Glennon last year, look for Auburn to win in a “Tommy Bowden being Tommy Bowden” type of game.
Pick: Auburn 31 - Clemson 21

College Football Bowl Predictions (2 of 4)

Dec 28, 5pm ESPN, Champs Sports Bowl. #14 Boston College (10-3) vs Michigan St (7-5)
Boston College got screwed with their bowl bid, but they have nobody to blame but themselves: that is what happens when your “fan base” doesn’t travel well… or at all. At any rate, BC outclasses Sparty all around.
Pick: Boston College 24 - Michigan St 14

Dec 28, 8pm NFL Network, Texas Bowl. TCU (7-5) vs Houston (8-4)
Yawn. TCU was expecting bigger things this year. Houston has had an OK year, for a mid-major. Nobody will be able to watch this bowl because it is on NFL network.
Pick: Houston 31 - TCU 21

Dec 28, 8:30pm ESPN, Emerald Bowl. Maryland (6-6) vs Oregon St (8-4)
Nobody feared the turtle this year, mostly because Maryland was too banged up. Oregon St. had a few wins over ranked teams… although those ranked teams were Cal (bad decision by freshman 3rd string QB) and Oregon (who had given up after the Dixon injury). Heres to the best 6-6 team in America.
Pick: Maryland 28 - Oregon St 17

Dec 29, 1pm ESPN, Meineke Car Care Bowl. #25 Connecticut (9-3) vs Wake Forest (8-4)
Connecticut is not a legitimate top 25 team, Wake Forest is. Both coaches are very good though, so this game could get very interesting.
Pick: Wake Forest 27 - Connecticut 24

Dec 29, 4:30pm ESPN, AutoZone Liberty Bowl. UCF (10-3) vs Mississippi St (7-5)
This game will be highly watchable. Kevin Smith from UCF is lights out and UCF showed they can hang with the big boys by almost beating Texas early in the season. Mississippi St seems to have turned a corner under Sylvester Croom with some tough victories this year.
Pick: Mississippi St 23 - UCF 21

Dec 29, 8pm ESPN, Valero Alamo Bowl. Penn St (8-4) vs Texas A&M (7-5)
Not much to say for this game, it should be very boring football. Franchione is out at A&M, so look for them to lose.
Pick: Penn St 14 - Texas A&M 10

College Football Bowl Predictions (1 of 4)

As you know, the bowl season is upon us and that means there are going to be about 135 random games for the next couple of weeks, leading up to the national title game. The Sports Rumors has been adding writers and contributors to the site, and now will have a person designated to all things college football. We’re starting things off by previewing each of the bowl games. It will be done through four posts. Each of the later posts will get smaller in number of bowl games and bigger in analysis. Today, we give you the first of the posts. Enjoy.

Dec 20, 9pm ESPN, Poinsettia Bowl. Navy (8-4) vs Utah (8-4)

Even though Paul Johnson is leaving the Middies to go to GT, the system will not change. HUGE homefield advantage for Navy in San Diego, as well.

Pick: Navy 28 - Utah 24

Dec 21, 8pm ESPN2, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Memphis (7-5) vs FAU (7-5)

Memphis really turned their season around after the murder of Taylor Bradford. FAU, notoriously bad, had a surprising year and is playing in its first bowl. Not much else I can say besides there are too many bowl games.

Pick: Memphis 35 - FAU 21

Dec 22, 1pm ESPN2, PapaJohns.Com Bowl. Southern Miss (7-5) vs Cincinnatti (9-3)

Things are so bad at Southern Miss since Bower is gone that Brett Favre is reportedly peeved and refuses to donate for the foreseeable future. Cincinnati is, well, very good and very underrated. Look for them to stick the dagger in early.

Pick: Cincinnatti 42 - Southern Miss 10

Dec 22, 4:30 pm ESPN, New Mexico Bowl. Nevada (6-6) vs New Mexico (8-4)

Once again, too many bowls. When people have to create bowls just so their team can play in on, it defeats the purpose. I have not been impressed with New Mexico this year. Nevada has had a solid performance out of Colin Kaepernick (watch out for this kid, hes only a freshman) and the pistol formation continues to get it done.

Pick: Nevada 31 - New Mexico 28

Dec 22, 8pm ESPN, Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl. UCLA (6-6) vs #19 BYU (10-2)

UCLA has seriously underperformed this year, as was Karl Dorrell’s style (which is why he was fired). BYU is looking to avenge an early season stumble to UCLA and is a might bit peeved that 1) their ranking is so low and 2) they didn’t get a better bowl invite. The folks in Westwood won’t be liking this game at all.

Pick: BYU 42 - UCLA 17

Dec 23, 8pm ESPN, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. #24 Boise St (10-2) vs East Carolina (7-5)

ECU has surprised some folks this year with their good play. Boise State continues their recent streak of good play and their RB Ian Johnson is legit.

Pick: Boise St 35 - East Carolina 20

Dec 26, 7:30pm ESPN, Motor City Bowl. Purdue (7-5) vs Central Michigan (8-5)

Rematches are lame. Purdue is not a good team, but they are good enough to feast on MAC teams. I mean, they trick people into believing they can play legit ball by slaughtering 2-3 MAC teams in the beginning of every year, only to get worked in conference play.

Pick: Purdue 45 - Central Michigan 22 (same score as before)

Dec 27, 8pm ESPN, Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. #12 Arizona St (10-2) vs #17 Texas (9-3)

The first of the watchable games. Arizona St. has turned some heads under their first year coach Dennis Erickson; QB Rudy Carpenter has had a very solid season and has seemingly turned his career around. I still think Jamaal Charles and the Longhorns will be too much for them.

Pick: Texas 38 - Arizona St 31

Contributed by Basil Huffman