It appears that Urban Meyer will be the new HC at Ohio State. Of course he has been denying (lying about) this for a while now. If I recall he did the same thing when he was the HC at Utah. Meyer is a bit of a loon it seems, but he does win games. Any university that wants to upgrade probably can't go wrong with Meyer. After a while he will tire of the gig and move on but he will get some results while employed.
I am not certain why he would chose to work in Columbus though. The "Big Ten" is not what it once was. There are better jobs available (and soon to be available).
Texas Tech would be a good fit perhaps. It is high time for Tuberville to move on and the TTU faithful would probably welcome Urban. I think that Kevin Sumlin would be a better fit for that job frankly but......
Texas Agriculture should certainly be in the market for a new man. Sherman ain't the guy. Those in College Station are always "looking for a coach to take them to the next level." Perhaps Meyer would be the guy. He knows the SEC and if the Aggies hope to have any success at all in that league then they will certainly need new blood at the helm.
UCLA: This storied program has been down for quite a few years. Yes I know they will in the in PAC 12 "Championship Game" this week and that says something about the conference as a whole. That being said, the Bruin program is in need of a new HC now. It would probably be a better gig than the Ohio State thing. Of course the traffic in LA.........
If Meyer's ego needs a big time program so be it. If not he could take a look at UAB. Calloway resigned and the Blazers are in desperate shape. If Meyer wants again to be looked at as a "miracle man" this would be the job to take. Alabama and Auburn fans would hate it. Meyer might actually be able to talk some regional blue chippers into coming to his program at the expense of the "big boys."
Ole Miss is in need. Now that is a tough gig. If Meyer took that job and performed miracles then the Reb faithful might begin to believe he could change water into wine.
Howard is retiring over at Florida Atlantic. It would be interesting to see if Urban could build this program into a BCS buster. A lot of good recruits in Florida and he might just get some of those blue chippers to buy into his spiel.
I am not sure if Kansas would be a better job than Ohio State but it has been proven that, with the right staff, the Jayhawks can be quite competitive on the gridiron. Meyer would probably be one of the few coaches that could pull that off.
Yep there are a lot of jobs available with more coming available soon. Meyer should have held out for a better gig.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Week 14 (2011) Predictions
Other than the Army/Navy match up this is the final week of the D1 season. There are some interesting games on tap including conference championship contests. Should be interesting.
1. WVU/South Florida: I have not paid as much attention to the Big East as I probably should have. It is, as usual, just not quite ready for prime time. WVU does seem to be possibly the best of the bunch but they are probably not quite as good as I would have thought. That being said, they should be able to handle the Bulls. Go with WVU.
2. Ohio vs NIU: Both are good MAC teams. Not so sure they would do real well outside of conference but decent teams none the less. NIU is probably the better squad here and I will go with them to claim the title. Go with the Huskies.
3. Iowa State vs KSU: KSU is a good team. Iowa State can be dangerous at times. Go with KSU in a close one.
4. USM vs Houston: The Coogs are probably a legit top 10 team. They have had a very easy schedule though. Last week's beat down of Tulsa proved a few things. USM can be very good but also rather bad at times. Go with the Coogs here. It may be closer than most think.
5. Utah State vs NMSU: These Aggies are better than their record. They will beat the Aggies of NMSU. Go with UTSU.
6. Wisconsin vs MSU: Wisconsin, even with only two losses, is a disappointment somewhat. They have the talent to be competing for the national title. Not going to happen though. MSU is a pleasant surprise. Better than expected. They likely don't have what it takes to beat the Badgers though. Go with UW.
7. VTU vs Clemson: VTU is hands down the better team here. Clemson has proved to be Clemson. A good team but just not quite a national power. Go with VTU in a possible rout.
8. Fresno State vs SDSU: The Bulldogs have been disappointing. SDSU has built a pretty good season. Go with the Aztecs here.
9. Georgia vs LSU: The big game this weekend for sure. Georgia has recovered from a horrible start and LSU has proven all doubters (including me) wrong. Not that the outcome is a given though. LSU must be on their game. Georgia will be fired up and ready for an upset. It won't happen but it may be a close game. Go with LSU.
10. Boise State vs New Mexico: Boise State will win. The only question is whether or not they decide to run up the score.
11. Texas vs Baylor: Texas has a good defense. Very good. They will certainly need it. Baylor is hot right now and could possibly, at this point, play with anyone. It will be very close but the Longhorns will fall just short. I am not quite sure they are a top 25 team this year. Go with the Bears.
13. Troy vs Arkansas State: Are the Red Wolves a legitimate top 25 team? They are not ranked but perhaps they should be. Troy has been a major disappointment this season. They will want to go out on a winning note though. It will be close but ASU will prevail.
14. ULM vs FAU: Can the Owls win another one before Howard retires? Yes. They will beat the Warhawks. It will be close.
15. UCLA vs Oregon: UCLA is still looking for a coach to propel them above mediocrity. Oregon's only "bad" outings were against some darn good football teams; LSU and USC. If USC was eligible, they would likely be in the top 5 or 6. Oregon will win here with ease.
16. Wyoming vs Colorado State: The Cowboys are a pretty good Mtn West team. They have built a decent season and should win this one against the Rams. Go with Wyoming.
17. Old Dominion vs Georgia Southern: Georgia Southern is a top squad in the IAA ranks (yes I know it is now called FCS. Not by me though). If they were in D1 it is entirely possible they would be a top 25 team. They will handle ODU with ease.
18. Stony Brook vs SHSU: The Seawolves have had a good season. It will come to an end though after their contest with SHSU. The Southland Conference teams do not usually do real well in the IAA play offs but SFA will likely have little problem Saturday.
19. UCA vs Montana: This might be a good game. Montana is, as usual, in contention for the title. UCA is not far removed from D2 ball and has done a fine job in the IAA ranks. Montana likely has more firepower and will prevail in a close one.
20. Montana State vs New Hampshire: I have watched NH this year a bit and they look pretty good. Montana State seems to be on the right track also. I really know nothing about them. I will go with NH to win here. Someone has to and that is my guess.
There are some top games this week for sure. It is interesting that again, for the most part, all the usual suspects are there in the IAA ranks. There is some very good football being played at that level. I would put Montana, NH, JMU, App State, SHSU and Northern Iowa up against a whole lot of D1 teams, even some in the BCS Top 25, and expect a very good game.
Have a good week and enjoy the games.
1. WVU/South Florida: I have not paid as much attention to the Big East as I probably should have. It is, as usual, just not quite ready for prime time. WVU does seem to be possibly the best of the bunch but they are probably not quite as good as I would have thought. That being said, they should be able to handle the Bulls. Go with WVU.
2. Ohio vs NIU: Both are good MAC teams. Not so sure they would do real well outside of conference but decent teams none the less. NIU is probably the better squad here and I will go with them to claim the title. Go with the Huskies.
3. Iowa State vs KSU: KSU is a good team. Iowa State can be dangerous at times. Go with KSU in a close one.
4. USM vs Houston: The Coogs are probably a legit top 10 team. They have had a very easy schedule though. Last week's beat down of Tulsa proved a few things. USM can be very good but also rather bad at times. Go with the Coogs here. It may be closer than most think.
5. Utah State vs NMSU: These Aggies are better than their record. They will beat the Aggies of NMSU. Go with UTSU.
6. Wisconsin vs MSU: Wisconsin, even with only two losses, is a disappointment somewhat. They have the talent to be competing for the national title. Not going to happen though. MSU is a pleasant surprise. Better than expected. They likely don't have what it takes to beat the Badgers though. Go with UW.
7. VTU vs Clemson: VTU is hands down the better team here. Clemson has proved to be Clemson. A good team but just not quite a national power. Go with VTU in a possible rout.
8. Fresno State vs SDSU: The Bulldogs have been disappointing. SDSU has built a pretty good season. Go with the Aztecs here.
9. Georgia vs LSU: The big game this weekend for sure. Georgia has recovered from a horrible start and LSU has proven all doubters (including me) wrong. Not that the outcome is a given though. LSU must be on their game. Georgia will be fired up and ready for an upset. It won't happen but it may be a close game. Go with LSU.
10. Boise State vs New Mexico: Boise State will win. The only question is whether or not they decide to run up the score.
11. Texas vs Baylor: Texas has a good defense. Very good. They will certainly need it. Baylor is hot right now and could possibly, at this point, play with anyone. It will be very close but the Longhorns will fall just short. I am not quite sure they are a top 25 team this year. Go with the Bears.
13. Troy vs Arkansas State: Are the Red Wolves a legitimate top 25 team? They are not ranked but perhaps they should be. Troy has been a major disappointment this season. They will want to go out on a winning note though. It will be close but ASU will prevail.
14. ULM vs FAU: Can the Owls win another one before Howard retires? Yes. They will beat the Warhawks. It will be close.
15. UCLA vs Oregon: UCLA is still looking for a coach to propel them above mediocrity. Oregon's only "bad" outings were against some darn good football teams; LSU and USC. If USC was eligible, they would likely be in the top 5 or 6. Oregon will win here with ease.
16. Wyoming vs Colorado State: The Cowboys are a pretty good Mtn West team. They have built a decent season and should win this one against the Rams. Go with Wyoming.
17. Old Dominion vs Georgia Southern: Georgia Southern is a top squad in the IAA ranks (yes I know it is now called FCS. Not by me though). If they were in D1 it is entirely possible they would be a top 25 team. They will handle ODU with ease.
18. Stony Brook vs SHSU: The Seawolves have had a good season. It will come to an end though after their contest with SHSU. The Southland Conference teams do not usually do real well in the IAA play offs but SFA will likely have little problem Saturday.
19. UCA vs Montana: This might be a good game. Montana is, as usual, in contention for the title. UCA is not far removed from D2 ball and has done a fine job in the IAA ranks. Montana likely has more firepower and will prevail in a close one.
20. Montana State vs New Hampshire: I have watched NH this year a bit and they look pretty good. Montana State seems to be on the right track also. I really know nothing about them. I will go with NH to win here. Someone has to and that is my guess.
There are some top games this week for sure. It is interesting that again, for the most part, all the usual suspects are there in the IAA ranks. There is some very good football being played at that level. I would put Montana, NH, JMU, App State, SHSU and Northern Iowa up against a whole lot of D1 teams, even some in the BCS Top 25, and expect a very good game.
Have a good week and enjoy the games.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Week 13 (2011) Analysis
This week I was 13-7 or a total of 183-77. There were some good games over the weekend with the most important arguably being the Iron Bowl, LSU/Arkansas and Houston/Tulsa match ups. The conference races are pretty much decided and of course there are quite a few teams that should be sitting home but have become "bowl eligible" the last couple weeks.......
LSU is hands down the number one team in the land. One gets the feeling that the only teams with any real chance of beating them are Alabama and/or USC. The "national title" game may well be a rematch with the TIde and the Trojans are irrelevant (this year).
South Carolina, Georgia and Vanderbilt were all victorious over their ACC opponents. The only fly in the SEC ointment was the FSU victory over the Gators. That was predictable though.
It looks as if Ohio and Northern Illinois will square off in the MAC Championship. I would have though this year it would have been Toledo/Temple but they fell by the wayside.
I had a feeling that PSU were pretenders all along. They have had trouble scoring all season oh and Michigan finally got one on the Buckeyes. Illinois has pulled a Texas Tech and seen their season implode.
Louisiana Tech has taken the WAC crown. They are a pretty good football team. Good luck to them
FAU finally won one. I was hoping that Howard's last season as a college HC would not be winless. I always liked that old dude. The Cajuns were at least competitive in their contest with Arizona. Really they probably should have won that one. A 4 loss season in Lafayette is a success believe me. They can build on it. Arkansas State is hands down the best team in this conference. Funny, WKU, ASU, and ULL were predicted to be the bottom three in conference and wound up 1,2,3......So much for all those professional analysts.
Boise State continues to roll. What bowl will they end up in I wonder? SDSU has had a pretty good season as has Wyoming. TCU is saying good bye to the MTN West with a very successful season also.
Orgeon and Stanford are the only teams ready for the big time in the PAC 12. Good teams both. If USC were able to compete this year they would be right there. No one else is worth mentioning frankly.
The Baylor/TTU game was a good as I expected. It was a fun game and for a while there I thought the Raiders would be able to win this one. The "Texas/TAMU game is in the books. Neither team is real good but it is a damn shame that this storied rivalry is ruined. Oklahoma sure wishes they had the Red Raiders now instead of earlier in the season the Texas Tech was actually a good football team. TTU has imploded. KSU was idle and should be able to beat Iowa State next week but the Cyclones have proven to be dangerous at times.
The Big East is the Big East. Is Cincinnati in the driver seat there? I think I read this somewhere. Maybe it was WVU. Not sure it really matters.
The Coogs have one more game left. The BCS hounds are praying they are upended by USM I am sure. Houston will likely win and they will demand and deserve a seat at the table. I would like to see them matched with Stanford or perhaps Oklahoma State in the post season.
Other than the Army/Navy game, the season winds down this coming week. In addition to those games I will be looking at some of the lower division playoff contests. That is the way a real national champion is determined. Unlike this corrupt BCS nonsense we have in Division I.
LSU is hands down the number one team in the land. One gets the feeling that the only teams with any real chance of beating them are Alabama and/or USC. The "national title" game may well be a rematch with the TIde and the Trojans are irrelevant (this year).
South Carolina, Georgia and Vanderbilt were all victorious over their ACC opponents. The only fly in the SEC ointment was the FSU victory over the Gators. That was predictable though.
It looks as if Ohio and Northern Illinois will square off in the MAC Championship. I would have though this year it would have been Toledo/Temple but they fell by the wayside.
I had a feeling that PSU were pretenders all along. They have had trouble scoring all season oh and Michigan finally got one on the Buckeyes. Illinois has pulled a Texas Tech and seen their season implode.
Louisiana Tech has taken the WAC crown. They are a pretty good football team. Good luck to them
FAU finally won one. I was hoping that Howard's last season as a college HC would not be winless. I always liked that old dude. The Cajuns were at least competitive in their contest with Arizona. Really they probably should have won that one. A 4 loss season in Lafayette is a success believe me. They can build on it. Arkansas State is hands down the best team in this conference. Funny, WKU, ASU, and ULL were predicted to be the bottom three in conference and wound up 1,2,3......So much for all those professional analysts.
Boise State continues to roll. What bowl will they end up in I wonder? SDSU has had a pretty good season as has Wyoming. TCU is saying good bye to the MTN West with a very successful season also.
Orgeon and Stanford are the only teams ready for the big time in the PAC 12. Good teams both. If USC were able to compete this year they would be right there. No one else is worth mentioning frankly.
The Baylor/TTU game was a good as I expected. It was a fun game and for a while there I thought the Raiders would be able to win this one. The "Texas/TAMU game is in the books. Neither team is real good but it is a damn shame that this storied rivalry is ruined. Oklahoma sure wishes they had the Red Raiders now instead of earlier in the season the Texas Tech was actually a good football team. TTU has imploded. KSU was idle and should be able to beat Iowa State next week but the Cyclones have proven to be dangerous at times.
The Big East is the Big East. Is Cincinnati in the driver seat there? I think I read this somewhere. Maybe it was WVU. Not sure it really matters.
The Coogs have one more game left. The BCS hounds are praying they are upended by USM I am sure. Houston will likely win and they will demand and deserve a seat at the table. I would like to see them matched with Stanford or perhaps Oklahoma State in the post season.
Other than the Army/Navy game, the season winds down this coming week. In addition to those games I will be looking at some of the lower division playoff contests. That is the way a real national champion is determined. Unlike this corrupt BCS nonsense we have in Division I.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Go Coogs
Houston beat a pretty good Tulsa team yesterday. It was pretty much a beat down. The game certainly did not get the attention of the LSU/Arkansas match up among the regular college football fans but it was most definitely one of the most important games for the BCS hacks and honks. Perhaps even more important for them than the aforementioned big game. Why? Those who run the current system do not want any non team from a non AQ conference crashing the corrupt BCS party. You can imagine the rejoice that went on when Boise State was (sort of)taken off the table. If the Coogs can take of business in the CUSA Championship game they will have to be allowed in. If Boise State finishes strong they should get in also. All is not lost though. Both teams have not finished play but if they do finish strong.....Well, the BCS could just pit them against each other. That would be typical and would prove nothing.
The BCS is ruining the game. Have I not said that before?
The BCS is ruining the game. Have I not said that before?
Friday, November 25, 2011
The End of an Era?
Last night the 'last' Texas/Texas Agricultural game was played. At least for a while. This year neither team is quite ready for prime time. The Horns have an atrocious offense and the defense keeps them in games. TAMU just has issues period. With the talent on that squad/...? The coaching staff has to be to blame. Texas won the game with a last second field goal sending the Aggies off to the SEC on a losing note. That was just a football game though and pretty much beside the point.
This particular match up begun in the 1890's, and has continued for every year since. Now some arrogant fools, on both sides, are ruining it because they can't get along? Does anyone have a noose? It is ridiculous. It is a travesty. It is criminal
The multitudes who read my work know that I am far from an Aggies fan. I take issue with kids running around in military style uniforms who have no intention of joining any branch of the service. Now some do join of course and they have my respect and gratitude. It is those who do not become real service members who are offensive to me. As a veteran I take great offense to this. Also I live among these Aggies and the whole "worship" of the institution is vaguely cult like. This too is beside the point.
The problem is, it seems to me, is that those in College Station can not abide playing second (or third) fiddle in the Republic. While Aggie sports can easily be replaced by TCU or Houston (if invited) from strictly a prowess stand, the program can not be replaced when one looks at history. The Longhorn/Aggie match up is part of Texas. It is one of the premier games in college football and it is fun. Can you imagine ending the USC/UCLA rivalry? Auburn/Alabama? Ohio State/Michigan? Florida/FSU? Or a host of other regional rivalries that get less attention. It is the same thing. It is ridiculous. We have already seen the Oklahoma/Nebraska rivalry fall by the wayside. Now this!!!!
Now the Aggies have run off to the SEC where they will be about on par with Mississippi State or Ole Miss. Possibly a step above Kentucky on the gridiron. Their basketball program has had some recent success but in the SEC, basketball, with the exception of the Kentucky program, is somewhat of a sideshow.
These arrogant folks in leadership positions at both schools have nothing on the BCS when it comes to ruining a wonderful sport. It is sick and they should all be ashamed of themselves.
I guess it shouldn't matter to me. I am, after all, a Southeastern Conference man. It does matter though damn it.
Now where is that noose?
This particular match up begun in the 1890's, and has continued for every year since. Now some arrogant fools, on both sides, are ruining it because they can't get along? Does anyone have a noose? It is ridiculous. It is a travesty. It is criminal
The multitudes who read my work know that I am far from an Aggies fan. I take issue with kids running around in military style uniforms who have no intention of joining any branch of the service. Now some do join of course and they have my respect and gratitude. It is those who do not become real service members who are offensive to me. As a veteran I take great offense to this. Also I live among these Aggies and the whole "worship" of the institution is vaguely cult like. This too is beside the point.
The problem is, it seems to me, is that those in College Station can not abide playing second (or third) fiddle in the Republic. While Aggie sports can easily be replaced by TCU or Houston (if invited) from strictly a prowess stand, the program can not be replaced when one looks at history. The Longhorn/Aggie match up is part of Texas. It is one of the premier games in college football and it is fun. Can you imagine ending the USC/UCLA rivalry? Auburn/Alabama? Ohio State/Michigan? Florida/FSU? Or a host of other regional rivalries that get less attention. It is the same thing. It is ridiculous. We have already seen the Oklahoma/Nebraska rivalry fall by the wayside. Now this!!!!
Now the Aggies have run off to the SEC where they will be about on par with Mississippi State or Ole Miss. Possibly a step above Kentucky on the gridiron. Their basketball program has had some recent success but in the SEC, basketball, with the exception of the Kentucky program, is somewhat of a sideshow.
These arrogant folks in leadership positions at both schools have nothing on the BCS when it comes to ruining a wonderful sport. It is sick and they should all be ashamed of themselves.
I guess it shouldn't matter to me. I am, after all, a Southeastern Conference man. It does matter though damn it.
Now where is that noose?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thoughts on the Big Twelve
It is reported that BYU is not interested in joining the Big East. Perhaps they would be interested in the Big XII? That conference has lost 4 teams now. Nebraska to the Big Ten; Colorado to the Pac 12; and now Mizzou and TAMU to the SEC. Texas Christian more than replaces Colorado and WVU (reported to be making the move) is a more than suitable replacement for Mizzou. BYU, while not a replacement for the Aggies or Huskers, would be a decent fit. The program is somewhat better than the one in College Station, and they do have a rather large and rabid fan base.
The addition of the University of Houston would be a very good fit for the conference also. Houston can field some very good football teams and, with the right coaching/recruiting staff, could again be a force in roundball. Their baseball program is top notch. Perhaps the Big Twelve should look there to upgrade back to a twelve team league.
Actually two Texas private schools could be considered. Rice and SMU. Rice does not have the fan base in football but the would bring a top notch baseball program along with a decent basketball program to the table. SMU brings decent programs to the table although their is a lack of a large fan base also. The lack of a large fan base at either school may be an issue.
Another program that could be looked at is Texas State. This school is making the transition to Division I and perhaps could be considered. Again the fan base thing has to be considered though.
A decent program to think about might be Louisiana Tech. They would jump at the chance to affiliate with a "major" conference. The facilities are decent and they can, at times, field a very competitive football team. Some recruits, who are considering the SEC, may well take a look at Louisiana Tech (and by extension some other Big Twelve schools) to play ball and further their "education." The addition of Louisiana Tech would give the Big Twelve more of an inroad into SEC territory.
To be considered a top conference the Big Twelve needs to "upgrade" again to twelve teams. While it is impossible to fully replace the Aggies or the Huskers, there are some viable options out there.
The addition of the University of Houston would be a very good fit for the conference also. Houston can field some very good football teams and, with the right coaching/recruiting staff, could again be a force in roundball. Their baseball program is top notch. Perhaps the Big Twelve should look there to upgrade back to a twelve team league.
Actually two Texas private schools could be considered. Rice and SMU. Rice does not have the fan base in football but the would bring a top notch baseball program along with a decent basketball program to the table. SMU brings decent programs to the table although their is a lack of a large fan base also. The lack of a large fan base at either school may be an issue.
Another program that could be looked at is Texas State. This school is making the transition to Division I and perhaps could be considered. Again the fan base thing has to be considered though.
A decent program to think about might be Louisiana Tech. They would jump at the chance to affiliate with a "major" conference. The facilities are decent and they can, at times, field a very competitive football team. Some recruits, who are considering the SEC, may well take a look at Louisiana Tech (and by extension some other Big Twelve schools) to play ball and further their "education." The addition of Louisiana Tech would give the Big Twelve more of an inroad into SEC territory.
To be considered a top conference the Big Twelve needs to "upgrade" again to twelve teams. While it is impossible to fully replace the Aggies or the Huskers, there are some viable options out there.
Adios Mofo's
In a few short hours the TAMU/Texas game will commence. There will be blood. The Aggies will be heading to mediocrity (at best) in the SEC and have destroyed this storied rivalry. This one really can't be blamed on the scramble to get into a "BCS" conference. This just has to do with petty petulance.
Also (and here we get to the crux of the matter) those fans in the SEC are not going to take kindly to a bunch of children "playing soldier." Those students who are actually going into the military after graduation will get a pass and have our gratitude of course. As for the rest? Most folk quit "playing army" around the sixth grade.
Also (and here we get to the crux of the matter) those fans in the SEC are not going to take kindly to a bunch of children "playing soldier." Those students who are actually going into the military after graduation will get a pass and have our gratitude of course. As for the rest? Most folk quit "playing army" around the sixth grade.
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