Cody Hawkins - Buffalo Gunslinger

CFN is reporting today that true freshman Cody Hawkins is looking like the uncontested starting QB this fall for the Buffs. So, without giving up a spoonful of the benefit of the doubt, doesn't this whiff faintly of nepotism?

Cody is Coach Dan Hawkins son, which raised my eyebrows at least, and I suspect I'm not alone. See 'Who is this Kid?', where one poster close to the program, Katie Hnida, sums up the uncertainty of the people thusly:

"My guess is they are wondering if he is a rapist or just a pot smoking hippie that can't get it done in the big game."

Well, all internet chin music aside, there are some facts about Dan Hawkins latest gambit that deserve a little more superficial examination and conjecture (assuming of course the Hawk will anoint his son the starting QB come September).

As recent as two years ago, a kid from Idaho's pre-eminent Catholic school (which doesn't even play in Idaho's toughest high school football division, 4A out of 5A) would not have a chance of starting at a prestige program like Colorado. Now, it's fair to ask, could he even start at Boise State were it not for his Dad's influence?

Is this Dan Hawkins' decision because it's best for Cody? Or because it's best for CU football? The key to CU's season will rest on this decision. Daddy issues for Cody or another losing season for CU? But just maybe the Hawk can have it both way!

Fact: Cody jumped ship from his commitment to Boise State last year and followed Dad to Boulder. What motivated this? Could it be the competition was suddenly looking fiercer at a Boise State program that was on the eve of a 13-0 season and BCS Bowl victory over Oklahoma? Were Cody's gifts suspect in such an environment?

Quite possibly. Though to be fair the idea of that and Cody being the rightful starting QB at CU, are no longer mutually exclusive. The nagging idea that Cody's best chance to play was wherever Dad is drawing up the depth chart and calling the plays, would probably have been easier to demonstrate had the Hawkinses stayed at Boise State where the benchmark would have been maintaining an astounding level of success rather than building up from a 2-10 season and a new low for a once proud program effectively ruined by the one-two punch of Neuheisel and Barnett. The point is there is a greater margin of error at CU, and the bar is lower than at Boise State, which seems funny to say. (But I like it.)

That said, and having never seen the kid play myself, I must rely on what I read about his talents as a football player. And the journalists at CFN seem convinced, writing, "with a nice arm and great passing touch... Hawkins has the biggest upside and might be allowed to work out all the kinks now with the hope that he'll be a star in 2008."

A star? Really? The little kid (5'11"/190) from the second best league in the mighty high school football state of Idaho? (I should know, I grew up there.)

My dubiosity aside, the truth of this review hinges on whether the impartiality of this 'reporting' can be trusted. Generally the guys who write these previews are people quite close to the program, bloggers or local beat reporters, bought for peanuts on the dollar, to put together 'scouting reports' that get repackaged and sold to stoke the faintest hopes of each fan of each program that this is their year. The 'secret sauce' in all of this? That the reporters themselves actually believe the hype they're peddling.

Good little PR schills. Their careers depend on it. What fan's going to keep reading prognostications of doom and gloom? What boosters will show up on opening day for Baylor's 87th gridiron campaign without first being convinced in the naive parts of their brain that this season just might be different?

But the writer here, Michael Bradley, Sports Illustrated's own El Hombre, is a hired gun with some old school street cred. Writing out of Philadelphia he doesn't have a local fan base to appease or a program to build up for the lift it could provide his own career. So it just might be genuine optimism.

Anyway, with a program as down in the mouth as Colorado, non-fans won't be reading period (unless they're archrival fans, or anti-fans, my assertion holds) so impartiality (balance as Fox would say) is a nicety not a necessity, and as a reporter you're after the lowest common denominator, or in this case those Buff fans at the bottom looking up where all the news is good because shit can't get any worse.

Which in the end is a kind of hope for Cody Hawkins. I will buy into the hype and believe that Dan Hawkins isn't making the choice that's best for his relationship with his son, and that for maybe the first time in this unfair world, the answer to Coach Hawkins second pressing question is the same as the first - Cody Hawkins. It would, after all, make a hell of story if father and son together rescue CU from the absolute, fucking dumps.

Switters Takes It Hard

TODAY AN ATTACK FROM SWITTERS:

switters: cool man
you are a classy dude
still taking that michigan loss to heart

nastyb: what?

switters: it's cool man
i knew you weren't always a real michigan fan at heart

nastyb: what are you talking about?

Sent at 5:33 PM on Tuesday

After which, stony cold silence.

Hmmmm. How is one to interpret this? Did I just shit on Switter's dream? Did I kick his dog or sleep with his girlfriend? I can't be sure, but I think this is related to a chat we had yesterday before what would become Ohio State's second, high-profile manhandling by Florida in a major college sport championship game. Witness:

switters: what's your take on the game

nastyb: chomp chomp

switters: i see
i would pretend to not be a big ten fan too if i were you

nastyb: well
when you've got $2500 riding on the outcome

switters: you do?
that's awesome for you

nastyb: if florida wins

switters: nice

nastyb: 23% of the kolkata pot

switters: you can take out the 50 you owe me for osu/um and you'll be up 2450

nastyb: haha
the check is in the mail

switters: ok good
i'll look for it when i get home

nastyb: what's your address again?

switters: who knows

nastyb: i'm serious
i'm sending you a check

switters: dude if you send me a mail bomb i'm going to be pissed

nastyb: not a bomb
but maybe some anthrax or ricin powder

switters: did you split florida with a bunch of people or what

nastyb: two other guys
so i get 1/3 of $2500
still a nice chunk of change

switters: cool

nastyb: assuming they win
if they don't we get about $400 each

switters: well it's pretty much already over
if you know anything about sports, you know that the favorites always win

nastyb: true
i've been following 'sports' for a while and that's always been the case

switters: i'm glad it was for the bcs championship

nastyb: ok

switters: i'm just saying

nastyb: there is the poetic justice argument here

switters: i love it
i love watching their press conference yesterday
they were acting like the game was already played

nastyb:
arrogant bastards
i have no love for florida
but i do want to get paid

switters: they are very proud of their back to back championships

nastyb: well, my support is nothing personal

switters: this is how bookie make millions
days like today
and days like january 8

nastyb: yep
what's the line?

switters: 4.5

nastyb: word
over/under?

switters: 140 i think

nastyb: that's respectable

switters: well florida's going to score 120

so osu will at least score 20

Sent at 1:50 PM on Monday

The guy's got a chip on his shoulder about being #2 and takes it out on me for my coincidental support of the new evil empire in college athletics? I'm just an opportunist, please don't say I'm not a Big 10 fan. That hurts. Besides, it's not like I could have supported Michigan in the NCAA Tournament anytime in the last 6 seasons. Give me some credit for still getting up in the morning.

Roy Hall is Ohio's Public Enemy #1

This looks bad, and I bet this guy (Roy Hall) already feels pretty bad. After hearing the resounding cry from Ohio if only Ted hadn't been hurt maybe 41-14 Gators wouldn't have happened, who wouldn't? Up until today, however, there was a cloud of mystery surrounding Ginn's injury and it just seemed like one of those things - or a goddamned blight from fate. So it's unfortunate for Roy that a.) someone was there to capture the moment of the crime, and b.) that Sports Illustrated put said picture out there for the world to see and judge.

I'm going to heap onto that mountain of shame because what a waste right? I've always watched the celebratory, tackle-the-amazing-guy-that-just-scored in the end zone thing with a little bit of incomprehension. I know you're jacked up 'cause your team just scored, but why risk hurting the team when chances are you're going to need to score again?

Already with Adrian Peterson shattering his collar bone on an unnecessary, celebratory dive into the end zone we have seen the folly and potential consequence of stupid end zone celebrations. Now it's getting out there that another ended Ted Ginn's BCS Championship game prematurely, and after such a promising start.

Chances are Roy Hall's learned his lesson, but it was such an expensive one so we'd better hope the lesson itself is invaluable and that's why I don't feel so bad, after all, heaping a little additional shame on this moron's shoulders.

Problems With the Post-Season College Football Rankings

I have a problem with Boise State's final rankings of 5 in the AP Poll and 6 in the Coaches Poll. Come on guys. They belong inside the Top 3 at least. And Ohio State's final ranking is pure lip service to the fact that they were in the Nat'l Championship game. Which is fine. It's an achievement. But the way the lost, and that at the end of it all their best win was over Michigan, I think they belong lower, like 5-6 range.

Michigan, who did not get beat as badly as Ohio State in their bowl game, fell 5-6 spots to numbers 8 and 9. Is Ohio State looking better than USC, LSU or Boise State these days? After racking up just 80 yards of offense on Monday night I'd argue no. They aren't the number 2 team.

So who is? Boise State, but for the blueblood of college football's continued reluctance to respect a 'mid-major.'

According to Michael Wilbon (who said he would vote Boise State at #2) on last night's PTI the only sports journalist in the country with the stones to match Chris Petersen's, and vote Boise State #1, was Greg Archuleta of the Albuquerque Journal. Way to go guy. That's a true pioneer.

But how was Boise State to climb higher when even the Idaho Statesman's own Mike Prater, couldn't bring himself up to the (shameless?) homerism to vote Boise State #1? He put them at #2.

And I don't necessarily disagree with that vote, but he had to know Boise State had an uphill battle to get to the AP Championship and I would have appreciated the moxie of that #1 vote from the hometown writer.

All the same it's interesting to see the AP Voters Votes (all available here). You will note some big-time names on there, like Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler, and Stewart "What the Fuck Did I Do to Deserve an AP Vote?" Mandel, each one of them towing the corporate line and dicking the Broncos over with #5 votes.

We Were All Wrong, Except Urban Meyer

Wow. What happened? I had some faint misgivings when Michigan got thrashed by USC in the Rose Bowl, admittedly, and against my natural inclinations, I started to suspect the Big 10. But I never saw this happening.






Yeah, Penn State/Tennessee, yeah Wisconsin/Arkansas, but something was smelly at the top. I had the feeling that if Ohio State and Michigan beat the crap out of each other and seemed well matched back in November, was there a problem if Michigan didn't seem to belong on the same field as USC on New Year's Day?

Since beating Michigan was Ohio State's signature, and only "elite," win as Texas panned out, did this mean that the Buckeyes were suspect? I had that tingle in my reptilian sub-brain, but I quashed it because the Buckeyes looked unstoppable and I believed in the Big 10.

Now it's been exposed. I didn't follow Ohio State with the same level of detail that I invested in Michigan, so I can't speculate on what went wrong with the gameplan, coaching or execution (and I hope that when Switters peels himself up out of his alcohol-induced fugue he'll have the courage to try). But with 82 yards of offense, and Florida defenders grabbing and eating chunks of Troy Smith like cotton candy, I can restate the obvious and say that something went very, very wrong.

And for the first time in my life I felt terrible for Troy Smith getting sacked. This miserable ending did not befit the apparent season he'd had. Nor did it fit the season that the Buckeyes turned in.

I supposed the speculation will turn to the 51 days of waiting time, or the de-emphasis on preparation, the lack of what they call 'hunger' or 'fire,' that comes with being the odds-on favorite not just to win but to destroy. Then maybe there's the Ohio State/SEC jinx (0-8 in as many tries) or the fact that Ohio State was one of Sports Illustrated's #1 Cover teams back in August and Florida was not.

Anyway it falls out it was a disappointing finale for the Big Ten and they've taken a nationally televised beating that diminishes a lot of the respect for the conference and validates the SEC's claim to best in the land.

Finally, you do have to hand it to Florida and Urban Meyer. They worked it.

Choke!!

All Eyes on Troy Smith

You might think this picture of Jim Tressel is from January 8, 2007. It's not, it's from January 3, 2003. But before I part for the day, filled with some work and some recreation, these are the reasons why I think Ohio State outmatches Florida tonight:

1. Offensive weapons -- As everyone saw in the Michigan game, Ohio State possesses a legitimate running game with Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells. And at the skill positions, you add that to two GREAT receivers: Ted Ginn, whose speed everyone is afraid of, and Anthony Gonzalez, whose route-running ability should be made into a "Wide Receiver Play for Idiots" book.

2. Senator Tressel -- He's a big game coach. He takes his team to what will basically be a home game for the Buckeyes, he knows how to keep them focused, and he brings the team to play. Every game. Tonight will be no different. Watch for Tressel to continue to shed the conservative coaching image and let Troy Smith do his thang.

3. James Laurinaitis -- The front four will have to get significant pressure on Leak to wear him down, which brings more pressure on the Ohio State LBs. Laurinaitis will be forced to drop back in some cover packages and will be asked to put pressure on Leak at times. His versatility, endurance, and determination will prove to be a huge factor in this game.

4. A.J. Trapasso -- The Ohio State punter is averaging 41 yards per kick, and if you remember the Texas game, he was consistently sticking the Longhorns inside their own 20. When OSU is forced to punt, Trapasso will continue his stellar season by leaving the Gators at a field-position disadvantage.

5. Troy Smith -- He is one day away from accomplishing everything that could possibly be asked of an all-time great Buckeye. Three wins and zero losses against Michigan, leading his team to a 19-game winning streak, a Heisman Trophy, and this last step......a National Championship. He was on the sidelines the last time the Buckeyes brought it home, not playing, just imagining what it would be like to be on the field.

This is Troy's time to shine. I'm going to shed a tear when he leaves the field for the last time, but appreciate the fact that I was able to watch the best Ohio State quarterback of all time.

Thanks Troy.

Go Bucks.

USA Today + Bathroom Break = Bliss

After I ranted for a while about Florida and Ohio State a few minutes back, I had to retire with the trusty USA Today Sports section. I think that sports writer Jack Carey and I are on the same page. The title of the article, "Speedy Florida aware that Ohio State can motor, too," pretty much sums it up.

It's not just the multi-colored, bar graph and graphic heavy layout, and 3rd grade reading level that impresses me about USA Today. What's great is that they can be the leading daily newspaper, and not really go into any depth beyond the headline. But given that I have this space to elaborate, I will do so.

My buddy Jack Carey says what I don't have the clout to say in a national newspaper:

"Anyone who doesn't think a Big Ten team can successfully match up, speed-wise, with an SEC power might have missed Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer's comments before his team played Penn State in Monday's Outback Bowl.

"On defense, they're really fast," Fulmer said of the Lions. "And their receivers run away from people."

Tennessee lost that game to Penn State on the same day another Big Ten team, Wisconsin beat SEC West champ Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. On Monday, the Buckeyes hope to continue forging a new reputation for themselves and their league: speed kills."

Maybe Phil Fulmer isn't the best person to quote, given that he should have been fired years ago. But Florida WR Dallas Baker (whose awesome name alone should be enough to get him into the NFL) says it even better:

"As far as the speed issue, that's what makes Ohio State Ohio State. Everybody is saying, 'Big Ten this, Big Ten that,' but if you really look at it, they do have speed like a team from the (Southeastern Conference). That's why they're undefeated."


Thanks, Dallas. Enjoy your meeting with Malcolm Jenkins.


-

Florida: Too Fast for Love

So I was at a bar last weekend, minding my own business, watching Penn State and Wisconsin defeat their respective SEC opponents, and I overhear this Auburn fan talking to his Auburn friends about the Ohio State vs. Florida game.

Regardless of how much I make fun of SEC fans about their delusional, whining nature, they never cease to amaze me. So this Auburn fan tells his friend:

"Ohio State plays two tough games per year. If they played Florida's schedule, they'd have 3 or 4 losses."

Interesting. I guess it's just all the speed in the SEC that is overwhelming to lowly Big Ten teams, such as Penn State and Wisconsin. We'll see this Monday how slow Ohio State really is when they finally are matched up against a real football team.

The Buckeyes have done everything they've been asked to do this season. They have won all 13 of their games, put up great numbers on almost every team they've played, and allowed less than 10 points per game. But let's see why some experts are saying Ohio State will lose.

Scouts, Inc. predicts that Florida will win for a few reasons. But what is Scouts, Inc. all about, anyway?

"The analysts and talent evaluators at ESPN's Scouts Inc. watch games, break down film and use their extensive experience and contacts in their respective sports to provide the deepest and most detailed scouting reports available anywhere."

The detailed and deep scouting report for this game included this insightful comment:

"The issue of time between games plays to Florida's advantage. The 51-day layoff could prove to be a disadvantage for a Buckeyes' offense that was clicking on all cylinders when it last took the field. Conversely, while 37-day layoff is long enough for the Gators to get some key players rested, it's not too long to get out of rhythm."

So 37 days is not long enough to get out of rhythm, but 51 days is. I guess 38 days is the magic number. This is something I would not know unless I were an expert.

But let's get to the heart of the matter:

"Florida's defensive speed is underrated. Ohio State is blessed with tremendous offensive weapons, as witnessed in its dismantling of the Wolverines' well-respected defense. However, the Gator's defensive front seven is even faster and their secondary matches up far better athletically versus the Buckeyes' deep corps of receivers."

Let's take the Michigan game as an example. Scouts points out that "The Gators lack ideal depth at cornerback," and in the Michigan game Troy Smith passed to EIGHT different receivers for 320 yards and 4 touchdowns. Without depth, it's going to be tough to cover a combination of 4 receivers at a time while they have a corps of eight to rotate in there. Good luck.

Scouts: "Florida must get consistent pressure on Smith without being forced to incorporate too many linebackers on the blitz." But thankfully Scouts also points out that "The Buckeye offensive line is a physical and aggressive unit that averages more than 312 pounds per member."

312 pounds average. When you have an offensive line like that who can open holes for two great running backs in Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells (who have combined for ,738 yards and 20 touchdowns), and protect the quarterback, you're in trouble.

This game will be like every other Buckeye game this year: there are too many weapons for any defense to handle. We'll start off with a potent mix of big passes and runs up the middle, knock them off guard, and take advantage of the big plays. The SEC does not scare me, especially against this juggernaut.

What Michigan Can Learn From Boise State

Brian over at MGoBlog is still too shaken up to write about the gut-wrenching football performance Michigan laid egg-style in the Rose Bowl on Monday. Instead, in his first post since the Rose Bowl, on his Michigan football blog, he's given us a blow-by-blow
of the Tournament of Roses Parade. Good grief. Or shall I say good display of grief. (Though I did enjoy the part about the "Petite Elite Miniature Horse Precision Drill Team.")

What we're all getting at here is the deep shock and hurt at Michigan's inability to close a season in proper style since, uh, 2000?

We all have our theories (one still cooking in my noodle has to do with the appearance of a string of uncannily horrendous haircuts on the Michigan QBs since Drew Henson left for the Yankees after the last big-time Bowl win for Michigan in the 2001 Capital One Citrus Bowl (ack) over Auburn).

But the truth is probably less meta-physical than some dim connection between cool haircuts and winning big games, though I still say it wouldn't hurt to see a little more bad-ass swagger out of UM QBs so long as it stays below the realm of coolly-coiffed chach-factory losers like Chris Rix and the Clausen clan. (What hope have we for Mallett?)

But back to arguable facts, the truth is so simple my girlfriend said it during the Fiesta Bowl later on Sunday. She said, Michigan doesn't play aggressive enough. Boise State went after the win against Oklahoma with the fevered tenacity of a rabid dog.

Michigan doesn't really play that way. There are no surprises up Lloyd's sleeve anymore. It's off-tackle, off-tackle and five-step drops. The offense isn't strategic and sets up only to win when Michigan has a clear advantage in sheer athletic ability. This will work fine for most of the Big 10 and the non-conference schedule, but against the upper echelon of teams this has been a losing strategy.

From the DetNews:

The Wolverines might pay heed to this observation from [USC defensive end Lawrence] Jackson, the USC end who intercepted a pass: "Michigan is a traditional offense and they don't hide what they do. They don't try to out-think you. They rely on their players being better than yours, and ours were better."

Indeed.

So when your players are not reliably better, which can never reliably be the case between teams like Michigan, Ohio State, USC and Texas etc. what can a team do besides get QBs with cooler haircuts?

Try spicing up the playbook a la Boise State.

Fuck it, try anything but what you keep doing. After all one definition of insanity it repeating the same things over and over and expecting different results. I don't care how old and traditional Lloyd Carr is he's got to see that his methods aren't producing results when it matters. That or he's insane.

So come on Michigan, how about a New Year's resolution of shaking shit up?

Fiesta Bowl: 4th Quarter and OT

In case you missed the most exciting sequence in college football history, here are all the relevant plays edited together neatly and commercially-free by YouTube user smith55js (Thanks Guy!)

Seriously.

I'm not the only one saying it anymore. It was on SportsCenter and I heard it on ESPN Radio this morning. Sports Illustrated is using it as a cause célèbre to argue for a real playoff. But the resounding sentiment is that last night's Fiesta Bowl (or at least the 4th quarter and OT) was probably the greatest football game ever played anywhere, anytime. The world is buzzing Boise State and everyone I know who bothered to miss this game is kicking themselves in the head for it.

One thing to say to Boise State now, hang on to Chris Petersen. He looked a like a fricking genius with church-bell sized balls last night (and probably still would had the 2 pt. conversion failed) taking it to certified genius coach Stoops. Mark May (whom I don't like) said it last night amid the Nick Saban-Alabama coaching drama, the fourth consecutive Boise State coach is starting to look like a hot prospect.

Maybe not the Tide, but someone else might be thinking about Petersen on their sideline and Boise State better start hustling to make things right for Chris in Boise.

Ultimately it may be about a shot at a Nat'l Championship, and in that event perhaps Boise State should officially launch it's petition to the Pac 10 that they expand to 12 with Boise State as the first of the expansion school candidates.

What's so great about Petersen was that he decided to win that game last night and did so agressively. That was some new wave coaching last night and it was awesomely successful and a lot of fun to watch.

Boise State Broncos: National Champions!

The beauty of having two teams is that most Saturdays you either get a double-bonanza or a shot at redemption. In the case of today's Rose Bowl disappointment, personal vindication came fairly immediately as Boise State did what Michigan could not and proved that they belong in the elite echelon of teams this year.

The Broncos won an absolute roller-coaster classic over Oklahoma, featuring every conceivable trick play from the hook and ladder to tie it up with 7 seconds left to the "Statue of Liberty" play that won it on a two-point conversion in OT.

Two words: crazy.

Bar none the biggest win for Boise State and now at 13-0 after beating a legitimate college football juggernaut the Broncos have to be mentioned in the National Title picture. Perhaps a la the split title between LSU and USC a few years back.

So how about it media? What about an AP Title for the Broncos?

I'd take that or a shot at Ohio State however that could be arranged.

All pipe dreams aside, this is big time respect for Boise State and it's so so gratifying.

Tough Time to Be a Michigan Fan

Jeeeze. It seems like just a year ago that I was writing something coming from a similar place.

USC has just wrapped up Michigan like a Happy Meal, put in their backup QB, and evoked a 'men among boys' comment from Kirk Herbstreit. Just like in the '03 Rose Bowl, they solved Michigan's running game and

I don't want to join the ranks of the turncoat gadflies calling for Carr's head (again) but it's awfully tempting after another year that once held such promise (11-0) has ended with back to back losses in the games that really matter.

It's a problem when this becomes the annual pattern.

These are the games that establish a team's legacy and if you can't win them you don't belong in the elite. Michigan played poorly and deserved to lose tonight. Now we've got 8 long months of soul-searching contemplation and what-ifs to go through - a grim prospect when compared with the enthusiasm for 2007 that could have been had we won the Rose Bowl.

But, after swallowing this bitter pill and accompanying financial loss I will not be a 'Doubting Thomas'. I'm taking Boise State +7 against the Sooners. Go Broncos!!!!!!

Hurricanes Love Snow

Since it's a ruse already to have an ACC-affiliated bowl game hosted in Idaho each winter, one of the running jokes (or "storylines") for the press is to watch some big ole' Southern boys getting their first taste of snow.

The Idaho Statesman, and no doubt some of the local news broadcasts have had their fun, and ESPN will surely run some cute, good-natured tape of its own to document this noteworthy encounter during its telecast of the Micron PC Bowl on Sunday.

Sure, "the snow is cool" for now, but what effect, if any, will it have on the Hurricanes come Sunday? Only time will tell, but Vegas doesn't seem too concerned spotting Miami 3.5 points as the favorite. At a wobbly (even in Florida) 6 and 6 coming into what amounts to a cold, hostile environment in Boise (only 5 hours by car from Reno) I've got my doubts.

I may be tacking the Pack in this one.

Big Ten, Little Results?

After three terrible years for the nation's premier football conference, will this finally be the year that the Big Ten rises to the occasion for Bowl Season? (I just christened "Bowl Season" as a proper noun)

The past three Bowl Seasons have been lackluster for the Big Ten, and the conference hasn't survived with a winning record since 2002 (which was the last time the mighty Buckeyes won the national championship, I might add):

2002/2003 Bowl Season: 5-2
2003/2004 Bowl Season: 3-5
2004/2005 Bowl Season: 3-3
2005/2006 Bowl Season: 3-3

This year could prove to be different. Before we dive into some of the Big Ten's seven bowl games, let's look at a reason WHY the Big Ten might fare better.

Most convincingly (to this guy) is the overall strength of the teams. The Big Ten has 2 of the 3 top teams in the nation, even though the Big Ten is admittedly top-heavy. But there are also 3 Big Ten and 3 SEC teams in the Top 10. All 3 of those teams have a great chance to win their games.

The second issue is the players. It's a little disappointing that we won't get to see two of the best players of the Big Ten future (Juice Williams of Illinois and Kellen Lewis of Indiana) in these bowl games, but we're going to see a hell of a lot of them. Why?

In sticking with the tradition of picking on the SEC, nine of this year's ESPN All-Americans are from the Big Ten, compared with six from the SEC. In addition, nine of this year's AP All-Americans are from the Big Ten, compared with four from the SEC. The Big Ten has almost every part of the football field covered in the All-American selections, from quarterback to offensive line to linebackers and secondary. You're going to get to see some stellar players take the field in the next couple weeks.

On to the games themselves. What would be better than a sweep for the Big Ten in bowl games against the SEC? This year, we're getting three great SEC/Big Ten matchups in the bowls. Maybe these will help sort out what is the best conference this year:

Penn State vs. Tennessee
Penn State was mediocre this year, and it's too bad that JoePa didn't leave after last year's amazing run, ending with a victory over co-dinosaur Bobby Bowden. Not sure how good this game will be, but I just hope JoePa makes it through the game with his pants intact.

Arkansas vs. Wisconsin
People don't yet believe in Wisconsin, because they didn't have to play Ohio State this year and their toughest game, against conference heavy Michigan, they lost. But I think first-year coach Bret Bielema has done a hell of a job stepping into the very-hard-to-fill shoes of Barry Alvarez. And McFadden is a beast. I guess we'll see what happens, but I think the Badgers can gain some street cred for the Big Ten with a win in this game.

Ohio State vs. Florida
This is just too much for me to think about right now. But I will definitely be addressing this game, along with the other Big Ten bowl games, within the next few days.

Stay tuned.

Oklahoma Bored With Boise State

As a generic Knight-Ridder (now 'McClatchy Company') publication The Idaho Statesman is really stretching its creative power on the wings of Boise State's recent success. Judging by the above-the-fold hype, this must make business sense from the standpoint that the Broncos are the hottest gig in town and are no doubt pulling in lots of eyeballs for advertising sales. Yeah!

From the fan's perspective it's also yielding some interesting journalism. For example, Statesman reporter Chadd "Double D" Cripe's foray into enemy (Sooner) territory. For the sake of generating more than the standard, speculative rehashing of available internet-data and hot-air pre-bowl game coverage, the Statesman has embedded Mr. Cripe in Norman, Okla. to get a pulse on the enemy team, its fans, and their general ennui at this match up.

You can view the dedicated coverage here.

The articles are colorful and highlight the significant back story, which is starting to read something like unrequited love.

The Broncos are thrilled to be here. They've embedded a reporter. They sold their allotment in record time. The riff raff in Idaho are mortgaging their homes and shelling out $1,400 each for booze-soaked charter airplane/tailgate/ticket packages. Coach Chris Petersen may be offered the governorship.

The Sooners not so much. For their part they're not reflecting back any of that love. This seems odd for a community so steeped in college football lore. They've sold their allotment of 17,500 tickets, but needed help to get there with less than 25% of season ticket holders partaking. OU Fiesta Bowl merchandise is gathering dust on the shelves as the rout (34-10 trend early, Norman-based predictions) is expected.

The Norman Transcript website is giving this game none of the above-the-fold love of the Idaho Stateman, apparently more concerned with the seasonal Christmas Story Contest. Meanwhile its OU Sports Page (for Chrissakes!) is busy covering basketball, in December!

Maybe they're right to be so blase. Maybe the Fiesta Bowl is a no-win situation for Oklahoma. And if this attitude remains the same they sure are looking like the early losers.

Ian Johnson Scored 24 Touchdowns This Season

And they're all here in an easily-enjoyed compilation.

There's a lot of bad image quality going on here, but that doesn't diminish the fact that Ian Johnson led Division I-A in scoring this season with 24 touchdowns. Amazing. Three of those he got wearing a flak jacket after breaking his ribs and collapsing a lung.

Sooners Intimidate with Acoustic Guitar, Mellow Musical Stylings

How's this for mid-tempo intimidation?



If the rest of the Sooners fans are this chill in their vitriol I'd say the State fans should dominate them in the stands.

Adrian Peterson Back for Fiesta Bowl, and Pete Fiutak Hates Boise State

It's true that you can't spell Pete Fiutak without a big F.U. In his CFN Q&A, Mr. Fiutak lambasts Bob Stoops for his declaration of Adrian Peterson's health to play in the Fiesta Bowl (see How much does Oklahoma care about its players?) against Boise State.

His objection to this move is that it could endanger Peterson's draft status on the off chance he gets injured:

"But Oklahoma isn't playing in the national championship, or even the Big 12 title game, which would then be more than understandable for Peterson to come back to play in. The Fiesta Bowl against Boise State is nothing more than a glorified exhibition game, and certainly isn't worth jeopardizing this great kid's future.

What if he blows out a knee like Willis McGahee in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl? What if he breaks his leg like Michael Bush in the season opener against Kentucky? We're talking about a top ten pick in next year's draft, and possibly number two behind Brady Quinn, and he's going to risk it against Boise freakin' State?!

It's Peterson's place to say he wants to play and nothing can keep him off the field. It's up to the adults to do what's best for him and his family."

(*bold emphasis added by me)

So we're calling on Stoops to stop and consider Peterson's NFL future before considering his team's need to win this game? Forgive me for asking when a college coach, whose primary responsbility is to win games for his university (and his job depends on it), has ever or should ever give precedence to the future NFL career of player during the process of gameplanning, especially when it comes to benching his best player.

What we're seeing here is a disgraceful lack of respect being shown to Boise State. If it were any other BCS program this wouldn't be a question that would cross Fiutak's nimble mind. He thinks that the win over Boise State is such a forgone conclusion that Stoops should bench Peterson. Well, by that logic let's suggest Stoops bench any player with pro-prospects and see how they do.

While I can see the knee-jerk appeal of this type of thinking, it's flawed. Playing Boise State is a no-win situation for a prestige program like Oklahoma. They are expected to win and win big, since eeking it out and God forbid, losing, are both calamities of a high order. There is no reward for beating Boise State, since it's expected, and a high degree of punishment in the offing should they lose. For this reason I would expect Stoops to pull out the stops and give Boise State the shot they deserve - Oklahoma's best shot. That's the only intelligent move he can make and if Adrian Peterson gives him a better chance than :who's the backup running back" that's a move Stoops had better make.

Now, if you still don't agree, let's entertain Fiutak's advice and say Stoops lets Peterson watch the game in street clothes. Boise State can play and they take the lead, by halftime people are asking questions about Stoops' decision and he looks like a turkey. If it's close or the Sooners lose, Stoops looks like a pretty big turkey. Solution? Eliminate the uncertainty, give Boise State the respect they're due and play Peterson if he's really healthy.