HOLDING ON TO SPRING

Published on May 4, 2012 in Uncategorized. Closed

I am a tad bit worried for the ensuing three months.  It is in these “idle” times where I go into my mental abyss, as evidenced by such topics as Depends as a corporate sponsor, or a LIVE chat with a bobblehead.  I am not sure what the following quarter will bring, but you can bet it will be the cause of increasing concern from my bride.  So I take this last attempt at “normalcy” to review a few more spring contests with an eye toward the obscure until the August practices commence.   Topping the list are a few intrasquad games that peeked my interest because of the coaches.

  • Washington State takes the field with Mike Leach.  A quick scan of several articles indicated a record crowd (not sure if this was modern day or BC) but 10,713 came out to see Jeff Tuel complete his first 15 passes.  And while I will be watching Mr. Leach throughout the year, I feel he has a conjoined twin, thus I will have to reference a bit of information on Craig James with each mention of Mr. Leach.  As you know, Craig is running for a US Senate seat from Texas.  Here is a link to an interview regarding the topic of Texas Tech and  Mike Leach from Craig  http://texansforcraigjames.com/media   Craig siezing on the hot topic of  “bullying” goes on this mini rant about such. 
  • Last year, he was Mr.Miyagi at Florida, but this year he is auditioning to become known as… well…would not a winning head football coach be a nice title?  Yes, that one in the same arrogant failure at the helm;  Charles Weis.  He lured away Dayne Crist, former sometime starter at Notre Dame for pedigree, and watched as Dayne went 11-19 for 136 yards in guiding the Blue over the White 45-0.  15,000 showed up and Charlie commented “I don’t know the numbers, but the numbers weren’t as important as the engagement. I thought the crowd was engaged. They weren’t just there for a sunny day. They were into the game. We will work on those bigger numbers as we get close to September, but they were engaged and I think that’s a good thing.”  
  • Brett Bielema’s whining was neutralized somewhat by 10,479 fans who reveled in the Cardinal’s defeat of the White, 21-10.  Montee Ball was held out for his Heisman audition in the fall, but redshirt freshmen Melvin Gordon took 30 carries for 139 yards.  Davey O’Brien, who could not fit into Randy Edsall’s complicated dream sequence of leading Maryland to a championship, was not in uniform yet to take over at QB.  However, you can bet he will be ready for the fall.  Last year I listed the terrible starting QB history at Wisky, and I have to give Baby Brett some credit though for understanding the financial return on the “buy” versus “make” decision.  Wilson and now O’Brien are much better than bringing them up through the system in Wisky.
  • And finally, Oregon, who is always taking a bit more unique approach to tradition, decided that team names by colors was not sufficient for their annual spring game.  Instead, they went with nicknames, as Mighty Oregon beat The Fighting Ducks 41 -14.   Speaking of QB’s, remember Darron Thomas surprised everyone by saying he was ready for the NFL and entered the draft.  Bad Decision Alert: It took 32 NFL teams, April 26th through April 28th, to disagree with Mr. Thomas as he went undrafted.  Bryan Bennett who played some last year and I thought looked very good is in a tight race with Marcus Mariota to lead the team in the fall.  Oregon is getting a preseason ranking around #6. From oregon.247sports.com  Chip’s best “Chip-ism” however came as his first response to the question “Are you where you want to be?” The sarcastic Kelly simply replied “Are you saying you think I wanted to be in Tampa or something?”
  • Police Blotter Alert: Sammy Watkins, freshman sensation for Clemson last year, a little misdemeanor pending for possession of the marijuana which has Dabo Wabo a bit angry.  The arrest occurred on campus after the officer pulled them over for ”scraping” a curb and subsequently smelling that unmistakeable odor once the windows went down.  Tommy Rees, QB at ND fleeing the law. For Tommy, this fromESPN.com “Trent said Rees was among about five people who jumped a backyard fence and ran after officers arrived at the party, located at 716 N. Notre Dame Ave. Trent said when the officer, Brandon Stec, caught up with Rees, the 19-year-old raised his knee into the officer and they both fell in a scuffle, leaving Stec with a bloody right arm when he hit the pavement.  Rees continued “thrashing around and resisting,” according to Trent, at which point Rees was subdued with pepper spray and placed in handcuffs. Trent said Rees continued to resist and pull away from officers.  Trent said that Calabrese tried to intervene by explaining who Rees was. When Calabrese realized it was to no avail, the linebacker threatened an officer, saying, “My people are going to get you,” according to Trent.”  The fact that Tommy was caught by the Police on a foot chase will make for some great smack talk in the fall for every defensive lineman. 
  • Petrino Alert:  I went searching to see the latest on Mr. Petrino.  While I did not read any published text exchanges (there are a reported 7,228 messages) between Bobby and Jessica Dorrell, according to Deadspin.com, a second very impressionable young lady , Alison Melder, was also a recipient of a healthy volley of emails with Mr. Petrino during last fall as the review of these text messages continues under the Freedom of Information Act.  Ms. Melder, through her attorney, thankfully not Gloria Allred, denies any inappropriate relationship.  Attorney Jeffrey Hagood said “they met and kept in touch.”  Ms. Melder lists as one of her credits, Ms. Bikini USA winner, 2008. 
  • Here are the SEC Spring Game attendance figures.  Following the new scale of  (1) caring way too much,  (5) just right,  (10) not enough, slot;  them as you see them.   Alabama 92,310      Auburn 53,209    Florida 51,000         Georgia 43,177   Arkansas 42,000    Mississippi State 36,357     Tennessee 35,891    South Carolina 29,451  Ole Miss 28,000   LSU 25,032  Vanderbilt 7,500  Kentucky 4,000  Mizzouri and Texas A&M…yea, no one is quite there yet to they start playing.

And finally, if you have not registered yet, I encourage you to do so. 

Happy Cinco De Mayo…

JoeyV(egas)

 

81,112 ATTEND REVIVAL

Published on April 26, 2012 in Uncategorized. Closed

Certainly there are a host of circumstances, events and humans all worthy contributors to the troubles experienced within the OSU football program over the over the past year and a half.  However, if you had to pick one word associated with such program lore, for me it would be ”tattoo.”  This concept of the tattoo had me thinking in an analogous sort of way…how do you remove one?   First, it is widely accepted that complete removal of a tattoo is nearly impossible.  Advancing this idea from WikiHow; “Just how effective the methods are will depend on the experience of the artist (editor inserts “rectal cavity” Tressel, Smith, Gee, Terrell etc. for artist) that did your tattoo, how big it is, where it is located and your ability to heal. Believe it or not the newer the tattoo the more difficult it could be to remove.”  And it takes multiple treatments to get to that optimum point of removal.

So while the first “treatment” began on November 28, 2011 with the official hiring of Urban Meyer, this past Saturday, April 21st, 2012 provided much more tangible therapy to the removal process.  In need of visual evidence, 81,112 hit the turnstiles as eyewitnesses.  Many more of us relied on the maze of satellite and cable signals for home viewing.  Yes, it is only spring football;  15 practices culminating with an intrasquad game that involved 95.45% more players on the field of play participating in tackling than the USC game, but we loved it.  This contest will serve as a bridge of speculation, anxiety and hope till the opener on September 1st.

Here are some notes to fuel such thoughts in the coming months…

  1. Urban had to say this about the need to pass in the spring game.  “We are taking one of the worst passing teams in the America a year ago, and we’ve got to find out if we can do that.”  Scarlet and gray combined for 443 passing yards by completing 40-55 throws.  Miller, 24-31 for 258 yards.  With all the caveats readily applied to spring action, the passing game still needs much more work from my standpoint.
  2. For the record, the first play of the game was a roll out left by Miller, pass completed to Thomas for 11 yards.
  3. Speaking of that first catch receiver, Michael Thomas, freshman, nephew of Keyshawn Johnson, had 12 receptions for 131 yards leading all receivers.  As a footnote, the team leader in catches last season had 14.
  4. John Simon, who is supposedly wreaking havoc on the defensive side of the ball during the spring did not play.  Urban’s take on this event; “He did not need to play.”
  5. The Big Ten Network did the telecast.  Tom Hart, play by play, and Derek Rackley the commentary.  This nugget of insight from Derek, “Urban’s only recruiting guys he thinks can play on the field.” Disturbing Trend Alert?, Besides the usual sideline gal, the network employed a fourth person who was tweeting back and forth with the public. This person, who shall remain nameless on purpose, populated the screen with this brilliance, “Michael Thomas is having a great game so far with three catches.” If this type of nonsense continues to expand into mainstream broadcasts I will employ a Russian hacker to upload my counter offensive to this dribble or maybe add  refreshing thoughts like….”hey, do you think Holly Rowe is sporting a spanx today?”
  6. The Big Ten Network also had to interview Gene Smith.  Ugh.  Can I add to the WikiHow summary that removing a tattoo is painful too?

Only after convincing my sister that my domain name was legitimate, and did not carry an .xxx designation, she agreed to let her son and my nephew, Corey, work as a highly paid staff reporter for the game.  Not shown, budding video man and younger sibling Cameron with special credit for filming.  Take a look.  You might have to crank the volume up a bit but Clip #5 gets special mention.  Nice work Corey and Cameron!

Clip 1_002    Clip #5_001    Clip #4_001

A few other passing thoughts this week…

  • John L. Smith was hired for 10 months and $875,000 as interim head coach at Arkansas; leaving his alma mater, Weber State before he really even started.  It was reported that negotiations took longer than expected.  The reason simply is that John Smith is such a common name, (see the 1600′s with the Pilgrims) that it took the administrative staff extra time to vett all such names from the popular dating sites like Match.com.
  • Wisconsin is playing their spring game this Saturday, April 28th.  The University is embarking on a massive campaign for attendance hoping that it will be enough to drown out that the incessant crying Bret Beilema continues to display from his “off season of injustice.”
  • At Notre Dame, the Gold beat the Blue 42 to 31 this past Saturday as well.  All eyes are on the QB’s and there appear to be four vying for the starting position.  Paul Banks from the The Sports Bank.net, noted attendance czar, had this to say about spring football…. ”I think 30,000 is about the right size crowd for a spring exhibition. I think ND fans care about the right amount as you should for spring ball. Illinois only drew about 1,000 (according to the Chicago Tribune) for it’s spring game (that’s way too little), and Ohio State drew 81,000 (according to CNBC’s Darren Rovell) for there’s, and that’s WAY TOO MUCH.”

Have a great rest of the  week.

JoeyV(egas)

SOME SPRING MUSINGS

Published on April 18, 2012 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

As Marky Mark noted, in an otherwise speechless comment to my Tressel interview, the OSU Spring Game is Saturday, the 21st of April.   My DVR is already set to the BigTen Network so that I break down tape, begin my in-depth review of this hope springs eternal contest; and of course, share with all of you.   However, I also know that more than a few fans have already begun their dissection of the upcoming year as their respective spring games have concluded.  Here is what caught my attention as I reviewed some of the results thus far.

ALABAMA

  • Demonstrating that they are not tired of winning, 78,526 Tide faithful showed up to watch the Crimson defeat the White, 9-3.
  • T.J. Yeldon, freshman running back, won the Dixie Howell Most Valuable Player Award.  Ok, I had to figure out who this luminary was/is.  Millard “Dixie” Howell was an All American at Alabama and the MVP in 1935 Rose Bowl game.  He was listed as a quadruple threat, with punting listed as one of those “uples.”  No, my Bride had no idea of the history  behind this great man or award.  I feel like I had to set the tone with her for the year ahead; thus the notation.
  • A.J. McCarron was 29-42 for 304 yards.
  • Omen Alert:  Last year’s BCS Championship crystal trophy was shattered when a current player’s father caught his foot on a rug, and in some ensuing form of chaos, the trophy crashed to the ground.
  • This Thursday, April 19th, the Tide rolls into the White House for their ceremonial visit.  Knowing that Saban can be a bit surly, I am thinking President Obama might want to stay away from any exchanges regarding support for the Buffet Rule.  Saban out earns the President by about 6x…and my guess defines “fair share” differently.

TEXAS

  • Proving once  again that football is religion in Texas, the Longhorns scheduled their annual spring game, Orange and White,  for Sunday, April 1st.  However, the Longhorn faithful prayers went unanswered as there was no clear cut winner in the QB derby between McCoy, (sibling to Colt) and Ash.   Mack Brown, well, I am still not sure he received an extension, and if so, why it was given, but he was on the sidelines coaching them up.

NEBRASKA

  • The annual Red – White game was cancelled for the first time since 1950 due to potentially hazardous weather; and it was not rescheduled.  Fans who paid $10.00 per ticket, subsequently received news that the game day ticket was non refundable…but, they could use that very same ticket for admittance to a home softball or baseball game for the Huskers.
  • Justification Alert: Legendary former coach, and now AD, Tom Osborne went public with the estimated cost to the school for cancelling the game at $400,000 from lost concession and merchandise sales.  He did, however, offer fans in attendance free food on their way out of the stadium.  Let me see, tornadoes and other severe weather were surrounding the area, but the chance to Joey Chestnut a hot dog mitigates the risk of going for a ride in the vortex.

USC

  • Well, further evidence that the Lingerie League is on hiatus, including three consecutive title team holder, the Los Angeles Temptation, 15,515  showed up to watch the Trojans play in their annual spring game.  In an interesting twist on their annual spring passage, Lane made this a no tackling scrimmage.  The good news is that Barkley was able to light up Dad Kiffin’s D with a 23-39 performance through the air.

ARIZONA

  • How can we not show a little love by mentioning the return of Rich Rod’s at Arizona for the annual Desert Swarm game.  We missed you Rich Rod!  An estimated 4,800 fans showed up, a sparse enough crowd that purportedly Rich Rod felt “private” enough to take a poop on the sidelines during a break in the action.  The offense after a slow start, went for 10 scores and a total of 597 offensive yards.  The defense is a concern.  Hah.

LSU

  • Geuax Tiger!  I love this headline by Michael Moraitis, “Zach Mettenberger NOT Tigers’ QB of Future” written in some kind of LSU on line publication.   White beat purple 24-17 in front of 33,000.  Michael I feel your doom and gloom every day and I respect it.

MICHIGAN

  • And finally, only an estimated 25,000 people showed up for the Blue vs White game.   I am not sure why they do not call it the Maize and Blue game but knowing Mr. Brady Hoke, it was steeped in tradition only possible at such a place as Michigan.  The Blue won 17-0.  I do want to point out that the score is slightly misleading, the white team was only on defense.

And in closing, can we have a moment of reflection for the firing of Bobby Petrino last week.  I have absolutely loved the details and reporting of this event.  I want the content of all those text messages leaked.  I bet these have Sheen-like qualities.  Stay tuned!

Have a great week.

JoeyV(egas)

 

LIVE…INTERVIEW WITH JIM TRESSEL

Published on April 10, 2012 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

Tressel Question #1Tressel Question #2Tressel Question #3

Slightly more than a two month hibernation, and here I am, getting ready to launch another year of joesmusings.com. I could not think of a better platform to start the 2012-2013 year than an interview with Jim Tressel. My weekly game recaps will remain the centerpiece of this site throughout the year. However, you can also expect that I will intertwine more video…especially as I plan various LIVE game day reports from across the country. Also, a mini posting might show up from time to time. This week is a perfect example if I did not have the Jim Tressel interview. Could we not explore (conspire) the possibility of Bobby Petrino’s “inappropriate relationship gal,” Jessica Dorrell, as the same person who stole that Maryland ladies powerball ticket?

You will also notice that I have made it easier to forward content to the masses with a host of social networking options. I am working on some additional enhancements as well, and appreciate those of you that have provided feedback thus far. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to forward me an email.

It is great to be back, and I look forward to a season of fun.
Sincerely,

JoeyV(egas)

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

Published on January 25, 2012 in Uncategorized. Closed

Yes, I am a bit tardy in my year end reflection period, but as of recent, I have been deliberating about the direction of joesmusings.com for 2012.  I began by drawing the required grid for a SWOT analysis, and then realized, even for a good laugh, this was an exercise that I could only recoil on after so many experiences in what can be described as a less than illustrious business career.  I am still amazed I drank the kool aid for so many years. Ugh.  Then it occurred to me, pow, how about a corporate sponsor for my blog?  I am already anticipating the feedback from all of you about what a grandiose idea this is.  I also recognize this immediately begs the follow up question; JoeyV, who would you target?  Not wanting you to focus on “who” but rather the “why,” I have constructed my top 3 leading contenders.

I am a proponent of informed decision making.  Thus, I have prepared below three letters, specifically tailored for each target company, expanding on the strategy and synergy I see required to establish a successful corporate sponsorship with joesmusings.com.

Additionally, I am not sophisticated enough to have one of those interactive polls on this site that simply tabulates and displays graphically with a click of the mouse the results, but rather I am thinking I can collect the votes via your email response and complete the tabulation without the aid of any automation.   However, I will say with confidence that this process will avoid any tabulation miscues via a hanging chad.   I await your feedback….

(1) Dear Som(ee)cards: http://www.someecards.com/

I sensing you will be a bit surprised after reading the following letter that I chose to reach out to you first versus American Greetings or Hallmark.  I just believe that you are the nimble, entrepreneurial type of company that can react to the ever fluid environment of the greeting card business.  Yea, your cards also have an edge to them, which I adore.  However, you are not without weakness;  your “sports” vertical is severely lacking.  It is almost entirely focused on pro sports, its too generic at that, and I believe further market segmentation is required.  How do I know this?  Well, I produce a blog dedicated to college football called joesmusings.com and you are missing a truly significant business opportunity.

Via an exclusive corporate sponsorship Agreement with joesmusings.com, we will collaborate on a college football e-greeting and print vertical.  Why?  College football fans are crazy.  Intense national, conference and intrastate rivalries cause people to do irrational things and talk trash to each other at sometimes vile levels.  I myself, well, let’s save that for now.  Anyway, let’s create cards around these football crazy hotbeds.  And you know the best thing, there is a conduit of fresh material daily as each school, players and/or coaches continue to make errors that need to be elevated in a greeting card vehicle.  Let me give you a couple of cards as a teaser; I have thousands more.

  1. Hi my name is Lane Kiffin and my momma said life was like a box of chocolates.
  2. Other than President Bill Clinton, what kind of man gets turned on when an Arkansas girls starts yelling ”Woo Pig Sooie?”
  3. Holly Rowe is your sideline reporter this week, and she said either you or Arnold Schwarznegger is the father of her love child.

You know this will be toxic fun.  Let’s piss some people off and make money.

Sincerely,

 

JoeyV(egas)

 

(2) Dear ZOMM -http://www.zomm.com/

I see the perfect symbiotic relationship in our two entities and write to you with the purpose of asking that ZOMM become the exclusive corporate sponsor of joesmusings.com.  Joesmusings.com is simply a weekly blog about college football with a little extra emphasis on the Ohio State Buckeyes.  I have seen your commercials repeatedly, and you know, I think you are a bit of an underdog in your space, and so am I, so why not forge the national emergence of our respective brands together?  Here is why it makes sense.

  1. My target demographic is the rabid sports fan…which breeds…loyalty.  I could almost quit right there with that one word, but I will continue for emphasis.  Who is more rabid than a college football fan?  Did you see that video gone viral (graphic content alert) of that Alabama guy who mashed his testicles with repeated thrusts on the neck of that unconscious LSU fan at a Krystal burger as one final celebratory gesture for  winning the National Championship just a few weeks ago?  The onlookers…well dare I say jubilant.
  2. Because of such acts like above, you guessed it, the college football fan is a heavy drinker.  If I could play “marketer” here just  a moment, I think you are missing out on a potential gold mine as I review your strategy.  Drunk people misplace things all the time and keys, phones, wallets, id’s…and your little tracking mechanism is just the perfect solution for those “forgettable” moments. Why don’t we become the cure for the blackout?  Let’s encourage people to drink even more?  Is that not what the beer companies are inferring when they use the phrase ”drink responsibly?”
  3. I believe your corporate spokesperson is not as well known yet as say the Sham-Wow guy (have you seen he just launched Stchicky?), but I am confident he could appeal to my burgeoning female audience.  Yea, you don’t believe, me, check out how many girls are in the stands at a college game.  I also know that necklace he wears in the commercials is exquisite and if you want to sell jewelry on the site, we can split the proceeds.

I trust you are as excited as I am to begin this sponsorship.  I look forward to setting a mutually agreeable launch date.

Sincerely,

JoeyV(egas)

(3) Dear Depends:http://www.depend.com/?s=DEPENDS

I would like to first thank you for expanding my vocabulary.  I did not know the word “incontinence” as exhibited on your web site meant the “inability to restrain the natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces” (per dictionary.com).  I am confident that I will use this word consistently over the coming years.  As a segue, I see the word being inserted repeatedly in my blog; joesmusings.com.  It is a blog about college football, and yes, my love/hate relationship with the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Let me explain.

I understand incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome are medically related problems you are trying to solve, but I think there is a casual niche you need to focus on as well with the college football fan that I fully expect to be bigger than your current market.  Have you seen the restroom lines at a college football game?  How about a crowded sports bar?  And if you are a lady multiply exponentially.  Are you not tired of  the mental stress associated with timing your urination or fecal evacuation (I just love that terminology and wish I had thought of it myself) to a commercial break or halftime routine.

Here is where I am headed; you can incorporate the below marketing ideas as part of your sponsorship and it will lead to our mutual explosion in popularity. I have posted this letter on line so this information is in the public domain if you try to pirate it without entering into this sponsorship.  This is not China my friends.

  1. When the home team gets inside the 20, forget the Red Zone, they have entered the “Depend(able) Zone.”  Think about the play on words;  for both the home team needing to score and the person seeking relief.  Let the cameras pan the audience and when they identify someone evacuating, take it to the JumboTron, only to the eruption of  loud cheers from those in attendence.  How will we know who is participating?  Simple, that person just gives a hand signal high in the air, 1 or 2 fingers raised to identify themselves…and of course it defines the nature of their discharge event.
  2. We set up a kiosk in the stadium restrooms once your diaper is full for easy disposal.  It certainly is quicker than standing in line and you can dispense a new one  immediately for replacement right out of the dual purpose kiosk.  You know the schools would officially let us license logos for the Depends; just another revenue stream to capitalize on.

Let’s face it, pooping and peeing is funny.  Let’s put it to good use and make some money together.  I have included a contract for signature.

Sincerely,

JoeyV(egas)

And like you have not had enough, finally your Err is Human Alert, After last week’s BCS Championship posting, I received an explicitive driven text from Philly Ray, regarding his 0-5 BCS record.  In my zeal to make fun out of Philly Ray, I did incorrectly classify his Stanford – OK State game as a ”L” when it should have been a “W.”  It sorta irritated me that he missed negative perfection by a mere .5 on the spread. Nonetheless I stand corrected and Philly finished 1-4.   KESR7KCENGBR

Have a great rest of the week and if you have not registered online yet, please do so.

JoeyV(egas)

 

 

NATIONAL CHAMPS AND THE OTHER BCS CONTESTS

Published on January 16, 2012 in Uncategorized. 4 Comments

No that was not the smell of overcooked corn dogs emitting from the bowels of the Superdome and surrounding estuaries, or that of synthetic cannabis or even some odd weighted combination of the two; but rather that of the LSU offense as it was absolutely pounded by the Tide.  Since time expired on this contest, there has been a bit of “chicken vs. egg” debate regarding a great Alabama defense or a terrible LSU offense.  How about Bobby Hebert (father of T-Bob LSU Lineman) challenging Les in the post game media soiree why there was no Robert E. Lee at QB, to Gundy from OK. State saying he would have thrown it 50 times with Weeden and Blackmon pitching and catching respectively.  So was it a poor offense or just a great Alabama defense?  Fans, this was not just a one game anomaly.  The Tide defense was, well, take a look below statistically.

BCS               NOV 5th             LSU SEASON AVG

5                          15                            20         First downs

92                     239                        355         Total Yards

0                        9                            35.7  (no TD’s either game)

Need more on the other side of the ball…  Alabama gave up 12 TD’s all year, 8.2 points per game, 191 total yards per game, uh, err, duh, mathematically, #1 ranking in the country.  Preseason, many thought this could rank as one of the best Alabama defenses ever with 9 returning starters, and while these “period” arguments tend to be just for the thrill of debate as there can be no final ruling, it should be at least part of the lively discussion.  These are just dominant statistics and I hesitate to ”pigpile” when considering these numbers were compiled against the all galatical SEC.

Sure, Miles should have tried Robert E. Lee, as Jefferson was just redefining predictable with every series.  It got so bad (boring?) that Brent was imploring LSU in his broadcast to cross the 50 so he could have something to get excited about.  Additionally, there is a moratorium on the use of the the term “Mad Hatter” when referencing Mr. Miles.  What did he do that was the least bit imaginative, or for that matter, an attempted adjustment in the game plan that merits such a moniker?  It was the same on November 5th but this time that little person Shelley was not Smelley (not in reference to the tight end) made a few more field goals.

While the Alabama defense stood out, McCarron (or was it McElwain Brent?) had his game of the season.  The most telling element about Saban in this BCS Championship game came as he sat on the set post game with Fowler, Desmond and Kirk.  Saban was very upfront in acknowledging that he knew they had to throw on first down.  He went on to explain the LSU defense plays 8-9 in the box with great athletes and dare you to beat them with the pass.  So to him, there was no other choice.  I know this sounds simplistic, but how many times do you hear a coach going with the team’s strengths, regardless of the other teams strengths and if you beat them so be it.

Four additional notes related to the game:

  1. Thank you Allstate for future satirical use of the phrase “mayhem” after  the halftime contest labeled ”60 seconds of mayhem.”  Jonathan Paulus, phonetically spelling only as I refused in protest to Google his name after such a pathetic effort to kick a 30 or 40 yard field goal via 5 attempts.  He was so deliberate that he only managed four shawshanks out of a potential five in sixty seconds.  Just for technical reference, mayhem is defined as a state of rowdy disorder.
  2. Celebrity Sighting Alert from Sports Illustrated: “One just never knows who might turn up on Rue Bourbon. The night before the BCS Championship rematch between Alabama and LSU, New Orleans’ legendary party destination Bourbon Street has been awash with Tide and Tigers fans looking for a good time the night before the big game. Among the Crimson Tide fans enjoying themselves [Sunday], none is more famous than Harvey Updyke, the Alabama fan who allegedly poisoned the legendary oaks at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn. … Updyke, who said he is tired of his 15 minutes of fame, was a popular destination for fans Sunday night. Many fans stopped him begging for autographs and photos while he was strolling up and down Bourbon Street.”  Editorial Note: Allegedly?
  3. And, I must mention a few of my loyal readers who are still beaming after Monday’s beat down.  Kennard (see Nov 8th posting picture) wanted to be sure I mentioned his bold prediction received in a January 1, 2012 text.  “The time is near! Massacre!.”  Kennard, I will not bring up your prognistication record throughout the year but your text stands alone on its singular merit.   Lou…RTR.  And finally…my Bride who even pulled out some furballed old sweater with a pachyderm on it Wednesday as her week long celebration continues.  The most interesting facet about watching football with my bride is that she is the antithesis of me.  I find the contrast at times almost imaginary.  I am sure she thinks the same.  I am thinking of having an “in her own words” blog next year as she describes my rage during a telecast.
  4. Philly Ray took the gas pipe on this selection.  0-1.

I am going to keep the rest of the BCS contest somewhat brief, as it seems like these games took place months ago.  Sorry for the delay in this release, but the daytime paying gig has gotten in the way of the real work product I would rather produce here in the Musings.

Rose Bowl:  Oregon 45- Wisconsin 38

  • How do two seconds elapse before Wilson spikes the ball?  What did he say in the snap count that took so long?  I have sent film to Mike Mayock to get his assessment on Wilson’s delivery/release and if it is too slow now for the NFL because it takes him over 2 seconds to spike a ball.  Come on.  Inexcusable.  Not sure they would have tied the game, but did not it feel like with one more play they would have scored a TD?
  • Oregon 345 yards rushing.  DeAnthony Thomas is fast…2 carries for 155 yards.  I see why Oregon paid him, oops, I meant recruited him harder to get him to decommit to USC.
  • Let me see, Montee Ball returns for his senior campaign at Wisky and Darrin Thomas as the Duck QB decides to come out early?  WTC.
  • Philly Ray loses this one by one with the spread.  0-2 in BCS picks so far…

Fiesta Bowl:  Ok. State 41 – Stanford 38

  • OT Thriller.
  • OK State had 13 yards total rushing.
  • Justin Blackmon looks like one of those Transformers out there.  He just knocks people out of the way or they bounce off of him.
  • I see the end of the Stanford mini run back on the national scene ending here.  Luck is gone and they just will not be able to recruit year in year out with the rest of the big boys.  It is an institution of higher learning you know.  Zygote You are Wrong Alert: Barry Sanders, Jr. is headed there.
  • Philly Ray, showing huge effects from the Musings layoff is now a stout 0-3.

Orange Bowl:  West Virginia 70 Clemson 33

  • Steele, the d-coordinator from Clemson is gone.  Similar to the confusion they showed on the field, Dabo is saying he resigned, Steele is saying he was fired.  More from Dabo…”Although we were inconsistent at times with a young defense this year, overall we have been one of the best defenses in the country the last three years under his direction.”
  • Holgorsen is dialing up the O at WVU and here is why.  His previous three stops, most recent first; Ok State, Houston and Texas Tech.  They need to learn to play defensive though.  There D-Coordinator, Jeff Casteel just left to follow RichRod at Arizona.  All of Alabama guys have left already for promotions so I am not sure what you do.
  • I am getting my news on WVA from a source called…The Smoking Musket.
  • Geno Smith going into the senior campaign is going to get some Heisman hype.  He is not originally from West Virginia as you may guess with the first name of Geno, but rather Miami.
  • Dare I say Philly Ray picked Clemson…0-4.

Sugar Bowl:  Michigan 24 – Va Tech 17 OT

  • Last and yes, last for a reason because of my sincere dislike for Michigan, the Sugar Bowl.  Let me just say that this year went Brady’s way like no other.  I cannot see this continuing.  The good news is my hate for the Wolverines is back at pre Rich Rod levels.  Road Trip Alert: I feel compelled right now to exclaim that I will be in Columbus next year LIVE for the game against the Wolverines.  I feel no other way to exercise this Wolverine demon building inside of me.
  • That was a catch in OT for a touchdown by Danny Coale.  Not sure how they had enough video evidence for a reversal.
  • “I’m about half-sick right now,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. “Too many mistakes. … They weren’t stopping us; we were stopping ourselves.”  Frank actually beats Miles in the category, Worst Coaching Performance in a 2012 BCS contest and should have singled himself out for ineptness.  What was he thinking on that 4th down going for it versus punting?
  • Philly Ray picked…yes, Va. Tech and goes a robust 0-5 in BCS contests.  Philly Ray referenced the 2006 Buckeyes and their “Disaster in the Desert” when the layoff for 52 days had them well…over matched.  He promises to be more studious next year.

And finally, my love for the sideline gals could not go on without this little clip I found on my mistress Holly Rowe:  http://sports.yahoo.com/sportsminute.  Can we all now appreciate her willingness to break down the glass ceiling?

Hope your 2012 is off to a great start.  I will be back periodically as I monitor the Urban Meyer start in Columbus and other elements that capture my eye in the world of college football.  (He just kicked off two guys for being bad boys, but I think he wanted the extra scholies for recruiting).  Yes, I also know that the Buckeyes lost their bowl game but I want to bury it on the back page.

Expect more in this year’s Musings than ever before….

JoeyV(egas)

YEAR END CLOSEOUT

Published on December 31, 2011 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

I started and stopped a blog  several times over the past two weeks.  I had a theme going with the title “Dear Santa,” then on December 20th changed direction after the NCAA’s detonation in Columbus.  I decided I was not feeling the holiday cheer thanks to more forward thinking from Gene Smith.   By virtually “guaranteeing” no precedence for this action…oops, please read this excerpt (http://www.theozone.net/arts1.htm) as Gene tunnels his hand into his backside with a roll of paper towels to stem the flow of his fecal volcano; we are bowl banned for 2012 and we lose three scholies per year for the next three.   I then reconsidered, after all  tis the season and Urban is at the helm in Columbus.  However, my second attempt failed miserably as I tried to make light of the situation with a blog dedicated to my own adaptations of  several Christmas classics with Gene Smith inserted as my central character.  Well that turned ugly as the anger grew with my #4  and #5 listings (see below) on my way to what I thought would be a clever top ten list.

    # 4 - Gene Smith plays the role of George Bailey…and jumps off that bridge… For #5, all I can tell you is that I started with a reference to Red Ryder BB Gun being traded in for AK-47 and a “say hello to my little friend” moment and knew I had to stop.

So here I am at my third attempt; trying to move on from 2011, but in reality, knowing that is a flawed thought process.  If I could let go, well then, I would not follow the Buckeyes as with any die hard fan and their team of choice.  So, 2011 simply serves as a date stamp of misery in my memory.  Here are a few closing thoughts on the bowls so far and a few other random notes…including Philly Ray and his BCS picks as we head to 2012.

  • Kellen Moore of Boise lost 3 collegiate games in his career by a total of five points. He bested Colt McCoy’s career mark of 45 by posting 50 wins.  I read where several folks feel this will be a DiMaggio like record but the fact that McCoy’s record lasted all of two years…who knows but I can see the comparison.  Can we read anything into it that two of those three losses were to TCU?  Anyway, they roll in the MAACO Bowl in Erickson’s finale at ASU.  I also saw this on Wiki…”He (Moore) is also deeply involved in an independent study project on what he termed as “what highly successful people do to become successful.”  I hope he does not forget to footnote Malcom Gladwell and receives an Incomplete.
  • Purdue gets the Big Ten off to a 1-0 bowl season start.  From ESPN….”Perhaps empowered by getting a contract extension recently, Hope made the gutsy decision to go for two onside kicks in the first half and both gambles paid off for the Boilermakers in a 37-32 win over Western Michigan on Tuesday night in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.”We were going to do a third one, but they changed the way they lined up,” Hope said. “I’m serious.”  Good stuff.
  • A Half Full Alert: Several introductions for the Missouri vs Univ of North Carolina game spoke of a season ending 4 game winning streak and a convincing 41-24 win over UNC in the Independence Bowl as a momentum booster heading into the SEC.  Mizzou finished 8-5 for the year in the Big 12,where they play defense with offense. Withers, the interim head guy at UNC, does not get the full time gig, and thus comes to OSU as the Co-Defensive Coordinator under Urban.  Thus, OSU has two former interim head coaches of NCAA troubled programs as the co-defensive coordinators.  I have no idea if that has any relevance, now or in the future, I just felt like sharing.
  • TCU beat La Tech 31-24 and goes 3-0 all time in Poinsettia Bowls.  I actually found the game less interesting than some Poinsettia Fast Facts: (1) Native of Mexico and introduced to the US in 1825 (2) Over 100 varieties are available (3) California is the largest US State exporter and 90% of all poinsettias are exported from the US something that I am writing the Obama Administration about vs investment in the likes of Solyndra and Green Energy and finally… (4) Proving OSU is not just a football factory… A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache.
  • Toledo scored over 40 points for the 6th straight game.  They win their bowl game under the youngest D1 coach, 32 year old Matt Campbell, the former O coordinator, after Beckman heads to Illinois.  We (Philly Ray, Marky Mark and myself)  were coached by his dad, Rick Campbell, in 7th and 8th grade football and/or basketball.  My first comment to Philly Ray on this topic, demonstrating father Rick’s impact on our athletic careers at such a tender age…”I remember his wife being really hot.”
  • Baylor and Washington in a wild game last night.  Just shy of 1400 total yards.  The funniest part was hearing a cold ridden Spielman disgusted with the lack of defense in that game.  Great plays are one things, but you wonder how 11 guys on the other side can be that bad.  I do like Robert Griffin, and Price for Washington is someone to keep an eye on over the next two years.  Great game by throwing for over 438 yards.
  • Attendance Alert: (1) Nevada-Southern Miss 32,360  (2) Toledo- AirForce 25,042, (3) Temple- Wyoming 25,762, (4) Fla Intl., Marshall 20,072. Cumulative of 103,236 (calculator verified)…still short of attendance for one game at the Big House.  Remind me again why these games are so critical and how the colleges make money?
  • “ESPN college football analyst Craig James will run for an open U.S. Senate seat from Texas, the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday. James, who played collegiately at Southern Methodist in Dallas, will file papers to run in the Republican primary by a Thursday deadline, the paper said, citing sources close to James’ campaign. The Texas Republican primary is March 6. The general election is next November. The seat is currently occupied by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican who is not running for re-election.”  I have so many thoughts here but I was hoping I lived in Texas as I would challenge Mr. James to seven (7) Lincoln-Douglas Style debates criss crossing the state until he agreed. Stay tuned for further coverage.
  • Did you see the Pac 12 and the Big Ten agreed to an alliance where each member of the two conferences will play a non-conference game against a team from the other conference every year?  Because the football schedule is already set for the next several years, they do not think the matchups will begin until 2017 although I suspect something will happen a bit sooner.  I think this is pretty smart for both conferences to get coverage in those respective geographies for their conference TV deals, but also mitigate some of the debate about conference strength unto themselves if they make a routine commitment like this.   Zeus, keep adding A&M and Missouri…
  • And finally, your 2011 Heisman Winner is…JoeyV(egas).  Bio Alert: Toiling in relative drunkenness, Vegas, walked on at Bowling Green State University proclaiming himself the “anti-rudy.”   http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-16/sec-accuses-man-who-inspired-rudy-of-fraud.html?cmpid=yhoo After several position changes, he settled in to defensive end where he blossomed earning this prestigious award.  He wore number 11, as it reminded him of  two beer bottles, and with each sack, celebrated by mimicking the action of grabbing a beer from his chest, popping off the lid and chugging it down….  This is Mike Rozier’s Heisman Trophy, 1983, at a place called Home Plate in Vegas.  He was there giving autographs etc.  I had a quick chat with him and he still looked pretty cut up; Tyson like in build.  I told him I was in Lincoln for the OSU game and he said, “You went to Lincoln…nice people.”  Hah, the worst kept secret out there.

And finally again, Philly Ray off a banner inaugural campaign has provided some bonus picks via the BCS games in this edition of The Gambler’s Corner.  Yes, these thoughts are strictly recreational, and if attempted at home, please use parental supervision.

1. Rose Bowl:  Wisconsin +6vs.Oregon:  Great matchup of high octane offenses.  Russell Wilson will be the difference as the Wisky offense will be able to control the clock. Badgers are underdog for 1st time all year, were 3-0 in this role last year.

2. Sugar Bowl:  Va. Tech +2.5 vs. Michigan:  Michigan overachieved all year and basically backed into this BCS position.  Va. Tech D used to facing mobile QB in practice all year, and will get job done with victory.

3. Fiesta Bowl:  Stanford +3.5vs.Okl. St.:  One of the better bowl matchups on the schedule.  Stanford D will be the difference as Luck will put up huge numbers against very suspect Cowboy D.  Cardinal get the win.

4. Orange Bowl:  Clemson –3.5 vs.W.Virginia:  Clemson comes off win in ACC Championship and has statistical edges on offense, defense, and special teams.  W. Virg. comes out of weak Big East and will get exposed.  This could be a rout.

5. BCS Championship:  LSU PKvs. Alabama:  Huge matchup of 1 vs. 2.  Very evenly matched teams, could be a higher scoring game than the previous matchup.  LSU will continue to get the breaks they need and make the big plays to win it all.

Happy New Year to all of you.  I will be back with some post BCS thoughts and a look ahead into 2012.

JoeyV(egas)

INCONSISTENCIES EVERYWHERE…

Published on December 9, 2011 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

After last weekend, the noise level appears to me at the highest level in college football history.  I have always been one, maybe two, as I know John Saunders always argued against a playoff system over the last few years; but I am starting to change my thinking.    I believed in that ”every game counts” phrasing before the BCS decided to use that as its slogan all the while simultaneously mocking  it with the now designed system.   But they are not the only violators, let’s give the conferences some exposure as well with this entire realignment/divisional mess.   For me, the tipping point was the advent of the conference championship games and that came clearly into focus last weekend as I believe now every BCS automatic qualifier conference has a title game except the Big East.  Oh wait, under NCAA rules, you have to have 12 teams to qualify for a championship game and the Big 12 used to have one until Nebraska and Colorado defected last year.  I really do not understand how this one extra game has any positive impact to the system other than the issuance of more greenbacks.  And, if you are going to have one, should not the BCS require every automatic qualifier participate, or if you do not choose to have one, should it not have some kind of weighted impact of the computer…and those teams in conferences that have a Championship game that do not qualify for the final contest, should that not be given some weighted impact as well?  The NCAA bball tourney mitigates so much of this mess through their tournament process which includes at-large bids in combination with the automatic qualifiers which ensures a number of high quality teams compete for the title.   The one key difference that I see in the current state of confusion is that the eventual winner of the conference championship gets a BCS birth, but if you have a couple of losses, no bearing on winning the overall championship.  Let me give you a few instances from last week and how this in part contributed to the BCS flummox.

  • Alabama does not play last week because it did not qualify for the Divisional Championship and is “rewarded” for staying home.  No risk, big reward.
  • LSU, clearly the #1 team, has to risk playing Georgia in the SEC Championship game.  They win, but at what risk/reward payoff?  Seemed like they only had downside to me.  Even injury has to be a major part of the equation of consideration for that one extra contest.
  • Michigan State plays a great game against Wisconsin as the Big Ten Divisional qualifier, loses on a roughing the punter penalty and then gets shipped to Tampa for the Outback Bowl.  Oh by the way, the Wolverines who lost to Michigan State, and finished second in their division, oh by the way to Michigan State, gets a BCS Bowl invite.
  • Who does Michigan have the honor and privilege of playing, none other than Va Tech who absolutely got waxed by Clemson in the ACC Championship game.  At least Va Tech was rewarded for playing in the Championship game while Michigan again ascended to their spot based for the most part on a turnaround year with tradition.  And what about any other at large schools, while you and me can and will argue they were not worthy of playing in a National Championship contest, do not they get the  opportunity to compete against some of the big boy schools in other BCS games?  See TCU, Boise St. and Houston .
  • OK. State, well in their case, they had to play the game versus Oklahoma as part of their regular season.  They win big and the debate becomes whether they are more deserving now than Alabama to face LSU.  One of the arguments I read several times was Alabama not playing in the SEC game yet getting the opportunity to play for the NC.  So how is that much different than OK. State…because they are conference champions?  There were quite a few of those were there not?
  • I am not even sure what to make of the PAC 12 as UCLA was in the championship game.  How did they even get there?   Why did UCLA petition and win to get into a bowl game despite a losing record?  Did the PAC 12 know UCLA was going to be the matchup for Oregon and then decide it was a home game for Oregon…?
  • The coaches, well, they certainly were in for self preservation and who can blame them.  Saban thought that Stanford was the third best team in his heart and OK. State the fourth.  I am sure this had nothing to do with the pending contribution of 1/3 from the  coaches’ poll impacting the final calculation from the computer.  In a very astute political maneuver, Gundy comes out the week before the his final game and says that LSU and Alabama are the #1 and #2 schools….but that could change depending on the outcome of the OK-OK State game.  Lo and behold, subsequent to their demolishing of the Sooners, Gundy now comes out strong as the #2.  He sold the honesty in the previous week and he needed only an additional .0086 of  tug from strings with a heart attached from playing in the big game.  So close.  Petersen from Boise St. ranks TCU below 16 so they would not become an automatic qualifier.  I was not aware of this #16 nonsense until I read of the… Petersen – Patterson…hasenpfeffer incorporated…feud.   Read below…is this system not designed for conflict?

BCS officials consider all 120 members of Division I FBS to be a part of the BCS system, stating on its official website,

“ The media and others often mis-use this term. All 11 conferences in the Football Bowl Subdivision are “BCS Conferences.”[6] ”

Of these teams, 116 are members of one of 11 conferences; the other four are “independent” schools that are not part of a conference.The BCS system is broken up into two separate types of conferences: Automatic Qualifying (AQ) Conferences and Non-Automatic Qualifying (non-AQ) Conferences. The champions of the six AQ conferences receive automatic bids to BCS bowl games, regardless of their BCS ranking. The other five conferences (listed below) are considered non-AQ conferences or “mid-major” conferences because they do not receive an annual automatic bid to a BCS bowl game. The highest ranked champion of any non-AQ conference will receive an AQ bid if they are ranked in the top 12 of the final BCS poll or ranked in the top 16 and higher than a champion of an AQ conference.

  • This is all just too confusing and the system too biased and/or easily manipulated to get the desired results.  There is a need for stability in the Conference structures (oh wait the Big East just added five today) and a systematic means to crown a national champion.   This is going to require coordination amongst the Conferences and the BCS or whatever becomes of that entity with change.  I am not sure yet if it is plus 1, Mark Cuban or some other genius to figure it out, but I am now on board.

A few other quick notes from the week off the field.  Don’t get me wrong, there were great individual performances and games last week, but you have all watched and/or read about them by now…and the above distracted me.

  • Coaching changes are everywhere.  Fedora from Southern Miss riding to UNC.  June Jones at Az. State, hold it, Steinberg the Agent still miffed at how this one went the wrong way.   How about the old vs new getting serious momentum this past week. John L. Smith, former Louisville success story to dismal failure at Michigan State landing at his alma mater, Weber State at age 63.  South Dakota stayed out west and grabbed former Wyoming coach in semi-retirement in 62 year old Joe Glenn.
  • Reality TV Alert:  As you know, this is my latest topic of obsession, so I have an idea that I want to pitch the networks.  Let’s call it…The Coach. Participants in this contest have no previous organized coaching experience.  Strictly amateurs; unless it is midgets or pee wee whatever you want to call elementary kids or below.  We get a real college program, yea, I am thinking Weber State based on above,  but I am sure there are some folks at this school that think they are too legitimate for this type of entertainment so it would have to probably be some kind of division II or III conference to participate.  Contestants submit their team; head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator…you get it.  A full staff, maybe 6-8 depending on such.  You are mentored by a “real” name coach.  I would have loved Mike Leach but he is taken so maybe Gruden might be an alternative.  Anyway, the various teams get to compete for a chance to coach in their team’s first game of the year.  Who wants to help me prepare the script for submission?
  • Holly Rowe should never wear a pink/purple hat, pink scarf and pink lipstick.  Everyone I have asked that saw her drew the inevitable comparison…
  • I wish Keith Stone or is it Key Stone,would be the guest selector on the GameDay set.
  • Yes, I am still excited that Urban Meyer is the new head coach at The Ohio State University.

And finally some quick end of year thoughts from our own prognosticator, Philly Ray…  “Well, The Gamblers Corner finished up a successful season with a not so good 1-2 last weekend.  But for the season, here are the final numbers:  25-17, an impressive 60% winning percentage.  To put that in perspective, a 100 unit wager on every game the Corner picked would have netted a profit of +630.  Not bad.  We will be back with a few bowl selections at a later date.”

We are not quite at the end of the year so my comparatives to the Dow, NASDAQ or S&P will have to wait, but Philly Ray looks to be a pretty good addition to your investment portfolio.  I have asked Philly Ray to make all five BCS bowl selections and we will publish those as those game draw nearer.  It will give all of you a chance to recoup your gift giving during the holidays.

As for the Musings, there will not be a weekly Wednesday release during the next several weeks including bowl season.  I wanted to orient you already to this movement with this Thursday release.  There are plenty of bowl games ahead and the news off the field is as fertile as ever so I will be active in the week’s and month’s ahead but just not to a committed schedule.

Enjoy your holiday season…and stay in touch with comments.

JoeyV(egas)

WEEKEND THUD

Published on December 1, 2011 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Rivalry weekend was a bit of a bust. Not many close games except for the Michigan vs. Ohio State game.  I really would like the buzz of Urban to keep me from commenting but as my father used to tell me “if you can dish it out, you have to be able to take it.”  Let me start with a quick recap of the Buckeye loss.

  • My third cheap imitation of the Kopper Keg for a Buckeye game this year;  The Tap House.   With expectations so low, I just felt going into this game, I could not be alone as a Buckeye fan.  So Wizzle and my Bride, adorning Alabama gear in preparation for the 12:30 contest join me with an arrival time of 8:35.   The place is bad but at least they had TV’s that did not emit fuzz.  I am going back to the Kopper Keg within the next month and starting a drive for reinstatement.  I will be proposing an Agreement to underwrite part of the effort if I get money excuses.  I am confident my Bride will go for this as I have already pitched Casa Vicente as a fallback plan only to strike out.  However, this notion falls in second place to the flat out rejection I received about following Urban to Columbus with a relocation.
  • Clearly OSU scoring on a long TD pass with roughly 2 minutes into the game took me a bit by surprise but not nearly as much as Wizzle as she contemplated the level of outburst energy I generated and the subsequent fearful looks from those trying to view the game in relative obscurity.
  • After that, it was just back and forth till right up to the end.  The Tale of the Tape was the two quarterbacks.  Robinson was great, 170 yards rushing and 14-17 through the air.  I am not taking away from him, but the OSU defense was terrible as well.  Missed tackles, a lack of a pass rush and wow did they look slow.  Shazier for OSU on one leg was more effective than half the guys running around out there.  Braxton, I already called out to that yesterday in the Meyer Musings, but just to add, Kay saw the play and referenced in his comments that he made across his body, hitting Posey in stride for a TD.  Amazing.  His stats, 100 yards on the ground and 235 through the air.  Yes, 235 through the air on 14 completions.  We had 8 different scarlet and grey helmets catch a ball in that contest.  I have been wrong plenty this year, but I am correct in saying with the right type of offense Miller could be effective even as a freshmen.  No let’s use Urban’s word, “special.”
  • The seven year victory streak is over.  Michigan is acting like they just won their 7th straight and Brady Hoke proclaims that he has the “best job in the world.”  Feed while your hungry oh Wolverines.  Your perfect storm is over.  Mark it down, I will be in Columbus next year for “The Game” and I promise that I will be accompanied by torrid verbal assault rifle.

Other games and events from last Thursday and beyond.

  • Neuhiesel prior to the showdown with USC claims the gap has narrowed with his beloved Bruins.  Subsequent to his dribble, they get scorched 50-0.  The post game aftermath, Ricky loses his job and in an interview with Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio, Neuheisel likened the UCLA coaching job to “taking a knife to a gunfight” when it comes to trying to compete with elite-level programs such as crosstown rival USC.  All is not lost though.  Despite Ricky getting whacked, P. Diddy’s son, Justin Combs is not reneging on his commitment to the Bruins.  This is good for the rivalry.  You have Snoop Dogg as a loyal USC man and now Diddy with the Bruins.  Could this not evolve into an entire Tupac vs Biggie? East vs West Coast? Will there be division amongst the Bloods and Crips about where to line up on this one?
  • Thursday night, somehow shrugging off the heavy doses of Tryptophan, I tuned in to watch much of the Texas A&M and Texas rivalry. Laurece, Craig and Jesse are far and away my least favorite announcing team and they did nothing to disappoint on Thursday.  I know there is a rivalry there and it pre-dates Cro-Magnon man, but you would have thought there were grief counselor hotlines on standby hearing the three of them ramble about this rivalary going away. Texas A&M jumped ship to the SEC and Texas started their own network.  Chicken or Egg?   Can’t Finish Alert: Texas A&M finishes 6-6 on the season.  Look at these halftime scores for their six losses. (1) Up20-3 vs Ok St.  (2) Up 35-17 vs. Arkansas (3) Up28-17 vs Mizzou (4) Losing 13-10 to Oklahoma (5) Tied 14-14 to K. State (6) Up16-7 to Texas.  Ronnie Diaz, the Texas defensive coordinator, was getting a lot of air time because it is the only respectable element of Texas’ game or the fact that the camera lady thought he looked like Erik “Ponch” Estrada.  It actually was a somewhat entertaining game, and I thought that unsportsmanlike/personal foul call on Texas A&M with 1.20 left that gave Texas much needed position was an awful call and turned the final outcome.  Remember when McCoy’s bride to be received tons of airtime during their title run?  It must be a Texas thing, Tanneyhill for A&M bride was a hot commodity during the telecast as well.  I just watch those moments and hope that these young ladies would act like a normal college fawn while under the influence and give a seductive wink, kiss or “I want you Laurece” to the national audience.
  • In a #1 vs. # 3 matchup, STOP.  I am applying the Peter Principle to Arkansas.  Yea, they jumped out early but it all went to plan and your +14 was safe.  LSU rolls 41-17 and takes home the Big Boot Trophy.  Yes, I did some quick investigative journalism to the origin of such trophy but Google kept asking did I mean “Big Booty Trophy.” I read a couple of the search results, got nervous that the antivirus alarm would shut down the work station if I proceeded, and decided to abort my mission. Just because they have a bit of a defense and it is a home state game for the Bulldogs, I am thinking Georgia will make it a bit more interesting longer this week, but LSU wins out sets up the rematch with Alabama.
  • Go Big Red.  They thump Iowa 20-7 and finish 9-3 in their first Big Ten campaign.  Ok, the name of this inagural game?  Yea, I was thinking something along the line of farm, corn, beef, or yes, you sense it, Big Booty could work.  But no, ”The universities further billed it as the inaugural “Heroes Game” and honored “citizen heroes” from each state at halftime.”  I really bored with that name.
  • With a fortress around the perimeter and Drones patrolling the air, Toomer’s Corner was the only thing safe as Alabama invaded Auburn.  Auburn had 140 total yards.  Alabama’s defense is just dominate and Richardson runs for 203 yards.
  • Va Tech and Virginia was thought to be a good one but Tech makes their traditional end of the year statement 38-0.  Are they a quite 11-1?  Forget the #5 ranking, no one talks about them.  Va Tech will get a chance to revenge their week loss 5 loss to Clemson, 23-3 in the Dr. Pepper ACC Championship game on Saturday.  Clemson got dabo’ed and has lost three in a row.  I have watched limited minutes of Tech this year but I am going to tune in a bit.  This back Wilson must be pretty tough 1,595 for the season on 6.3 yards per touch.  The game was in Virginia, Scott Field, and only 61,124 showed up leaving 376 people that could have still attended but chose a different way to spend their time.
  • I had no idea Notre Dame was even ranked 22nd going into the contest with Stanford.  The Irish with only 57 yards rushing vs 224 for Stanford and lose easily 28-14.  They were down 21-0 at half.  I love how every coach now is pushing the Heisman candidates in what is a wide open race.  Rhodes Scholar Pat Haden now regrets not pushing Barkley earlier, “There’s no player in America like Andrew Luck,” Stanford coach David Shaw said. “Forget about the stats. Forget about the comparisons of other guys. It doesn’t matter.”  Hey Shaw, WTC?  And of course Saban touting Richardson as the best player in America.
  • Your occasional Rocket Alert Update. They beat Ball St this past weekend 45-28.  From ESPN:  “Despite the win, Toledo missed out on a MAC Championship Game berth when Northern Illinois beat Eastern Michigan. The Rockets will likely play in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Dec. 27 in Detroit.”  Somebody needs to get a good matchup for these guys.  They really are fun to watch and could pull a win against say an ACC or Big East team.
  • Both Wisky and Michigan State roll and they will go for a rematch in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game.  This should be an excellent rematch but I see Wisky winning this one.  Just reading on this one and forgot to include Montee Ball as getting a late push for the Heisman as well.  Ugh.
  • Coaching Update Alert: Mike Leach reported going to Washington State.  Mike, you should have held out a bit longer.  Dan Mullen, Mississippit State, reported as the leading candidate to take over at Penn State.  Sorry Jeffrey J., I want no part of that gig.  Mike Stoops, he of the exploding face, is supposedly in Columbus for serious talks as Defensive Coordinator.  I wanted him hired for sideline antics alone.

And finally, we end our season with the final installment of the Gambler’s Corner and you know, it was an entertainment only exercise all year.  From Philly Ray….”Joey V- We are at the end of a long campaign and The Gamblers Corner is guaranteed a winning season.  2 blowout losses were not in the plan for last week, so here we go…”

1. Ohio +4 vs. No. Illinois, MAC Championship:  Ohio has won 3 straight in this series and comes in with 3 extra days to prepare.  No. Illinois has won 7 straight, but has lost its last 2 ATS.  2 evenly matched teams, we’ll revisit the Bobcats to pull out the victory.

2. Oregon –31.5 vs. UCLA, PAC-12 Championship:  Ducks have gone 8-2 ATS at home when favored by 17 or more.  UCLA in total disarray after 50-0 wipeout to crosstown rival USC last week.  Bruins are 1-8 ATS in PAC-12 road games.  This game will be a rout early.  (Editorial Note:  Why does the PAC 12 not have neutral field for this game?)

3. Houston –13 vs. So. Miss, CUSA Championship:  Cougars have an eye on BCS bowl berth and a perfect 13-0 season.  Keenum is 16-2 ATS in home games that he has started. Houston continues storybook season with convincing win.

Overall: 24-15…Nice

Enjoy the weekend.  JoeyV(egas)

 

A VERY MEYER MUSING…

Published on November 30, 2011 in Uncategorized. 7 Comments

Was it really just three days ago, 40-34, the seven game streak ended?  The news that makes this game “history” came in a similar fashion when I wrote about the three successive text “dings” that awoke me from my slumber at 6:48 a.m. on May 30, 2011 announcing the firing of Tressel.  However this time around on Monday, November 28th, there were two texts, Marky Mark and Clifton, and they arrived at 5:07 a.m. and 5:17 a.m. respectively.  Simply they summarized reports by ESPN that Urban Meyer was to be named the next head coach at OSU.  Certainly the expectations of such announcement having circled for days (months if you are extra cynical) so it did not carry the surprise of its six month text predecessor.  Especially after Urban begged off ESPN for last weekend’s festivities.  First his color commentary role for the Michigan game with Spielman and Pasch was changed to a studio role.  Then that appearance was removed in its entirety… a somewhat curious change if the first move was announced by your employer, ESPN, as a more suitable environment for which to comment on all the big games in “Rivalry Weekend.”

However my well documented “chicken little” approach to the Buckeyes left me in my own cocoon of paranoia as the countdown to the announced 5:15 e.s.t news conference LIVE from the OSU campus marched on.  I am being bit generous in saying that it was an unproductive work day.  I spent most of the day hoarding company bandwidth looking for affirmations that Urban was indeed going to be announced as the new head coach at OSU or reading the occasional negative comments from Forde and Brando Booze Face about Urban headed to Columbus.  Finally, at 5:15, led by one half of the dynamic duo, Dumbest², Gene Smith and then Urban proceeded to the podium.  While I knew it was Urban, my momentum was temporarily restrained as I was subjected to some introductory comments from from Dumbest².  I thought the opening was a bit redundant in tone, and a review of the transcript confirmed my hunch.  Gene used in some form, “leadership” 16 times (visually verified) in his roughly 10 minute introduction.    The only thing I thought interesting about Gene’s comments was that he went on the offensive by detailing the selection process.  First by naming the individuals within the University involved in the selection, and the vetting process.  Gene then was sure to communicate that the first time he talked to Urban about the position was on Sunday, November 20th.  That conversation led to a face to face meeting on November 23rd.  And of course, on the 28th of November, he signs his 6 year contract.  I am sure those are true statements in a Clintonesque type of way, but there is no way there was not advanced efforts by others to gauge interest before conversation to contract in 8 days.

Urban’s comments started with a prepared statement, devoid of a teleprompter, and he seemed surprisingly nervous to me.  Subsequently, he answered 20 minutes of questions from the press.  I actually thought he would be a bit more dynamic in his speech, but the nervousness disappeared and he appeared very measured and  forthright in his responses.  Here are a few of the comments that stuck with me.

  • Program success is a pretty simple formula, great recruits and great assistants.  He went on to say that he thought his class of assistants in 2005 at Florida were the best ever assembled in college football.  He admitted that was a bold statement, but his true feelings.  He believes he can do it again, but his “tree” is a bit bare.  Many of those former assistants now have head coaching jobs (i.e Strong = Louisville, Mullen – Miss St.)  He added that he believes coaching is very evaluation friendly.  Thus, he can watch tape and see how well coached a position is on the field.
  • Luke Fickell is staying on in some capacity for which he would not disclose an official title as of yet.  I am not sure how that is going to work, but Luke gets rewarded for his loyalty, and he considered an outstanding recruiter. I am not sure defensive coordinator works after this year’s repeated meltdowns, only to be reinforced by a terrible effort once again against Michigan.
  • Asked about his style of play…”Go Hard.”
  • Urban said that no other staff decisions have been made.  However, when asked questions later about if he planned on calling his own plays on offense or relying on offensive coordinator,  he did say that he was going to hire an offensive coordinator and at times would share play calling with that individual.  The Offense of the Offensive Czar just light just flashed “vacancy.”
  • It took the third to the last question to get my burning question answered…in its entirety from theozone.net Q.  The SEC has dominated college football.  You were a part of that.  We hear the Big Ten’s too slow, they’re not fast enough.  Just your thoughts having coached against them, and now coaching Ohio State out of the Big Ten, having to take down the SEC, how true are those statements, and where does it have to get better here?
  • COACH MEYER:  I think football ‑‑ that’s a great question.  That’s the obvious that SEC right now is dominant.  It’s a faster league than the Big Ten.  Does it mean it’s a better league?  When they win, I think it’s five straight national titles.  The top three were all in one division west.  Yeah, it’s the best conference in college football.  Does it mean the Big Ten’s far behind?  I don’t think it’s that far.  I think you’ll see the game change again.  It changes all the time.  There was a time where the Big 12 was pushing the SEC for who had the best team.  So I see what the coach is doing at Michigan.  I see other teams making ‑‑ Wisconsin making progress.  There’s a lot of good stuff going into this conference.  How far off we are?  I think Ohio State, the team that I saw getting ready to play the Sugar Bowl year, last year, that was ‑‑ I don’t want to use that term but it was SEC speed, that was a great football team.  I was blown away because I didn’t really get to watch them.  So I don’t think the Big Ten’s that far off.  I think you’re going to see that gap closed I hope quickly.  (JoeyV tearing up during this segment).
  • The only real responses that seemed a bit orchestrated were related to his love for Ohio State.  Maybe it was just his presentation, but this really illuminated for me when he talked about shopping with his mom for the Ohio State – Michigan game around Thanksgiving time and how the game was being broadcast on the speakers in the mall.  He remembers how everyone was tuned in to the game.  He even started the whole discussion by saying people were listening to Woody vs. Bo.  Now Urban, we are roughly the same age, my football career ended in the 8th grade after I overthrew Marky Mark in a clutch situation in the season finale and I can assure you that I was never shopping with my mommy during that game; before or after my failings on the gridiron.  I was home with my dad screaming for the Buckeyes.  I don’t get how you went from there to here?

And with that, the 24th head coach in the history of The Ohio State University said he was ready and was going to make a few phone calls to some recruits later that night.

There will be a constant coverage over the days, weeks and months ahead, but let me just say that I am very excited about Urban coming to Columbus.  But I also wrestle with that honesty.    Why? Simply, I developed a deep dislike for Urban Legend while he was at Florida.  (Kay, I am sure you have the past quote bombs handy).  Whether it was the much publicized love affair with Tebow, to the entire drama with the retirement, reinstatement,  health, family time, I took each word of Urban’s and where presented, seized upon the opportunity to ridicule him.   As I lay horizontal and have this discussion with myself, I believe the genesis of my hatred stems from that National Championship loss in 2006.  Did you know that devastation was inflicted 1,785 days ago?  How come that feels like a shorter distance than the last Michigan loss?  What is next for me; a place in my heart for Lane Kiffin?  I am scared.  Am I more like Mitt Romney or Shallow Hal?  Ugh.

Separating my past jealousies from the equation, my enthusiasm is in part generated because:

  • Statistically, let’s just go with 104-23 (.810 winning percentage).   Stops at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida…taking over for the Zooker no less.
  • Two national championships; oh yeah in the SEC and that memorable loss of just yesterday started the current SEC dominant run.
  • From reader Clifton…”He is a winner.  He will adapt his system to what he has; i.e. Leak vs. Alex Smith vs. Jesus Christ.”
  • He played 44 games in the Atlanta Braves farm system.
  • While OSU was not “broke” according to Urban, certainly the past 11 months have been about as bleak as one can remember for this program.  One writer compared him a bit to a rock star coming to campus versus his understated predecessors sans Woody.  Buckeye Nation is down and this was the best possible scenario.
  • Ties to Florida and Ohio.  Will help tremendously with recruiting.
  • There is a history of great offenses with Urban at the helm.  Meyer was gushing about Braxton Miller during the conference, and every Buckeye fan has to relish the opportunity for Urban to coach him.  I believe Miller has the opportunity to be the best quarterback in OSU history.  Sure he missed some key throws in that Michigan game but he almost single handedly beat that team as well.  I thought it was a an unbelievable performance, and Philly Ray is on that wagon as well.
  • Urban was on the Bearcat campus at the same time as Marky.  While Marky is still calculating, he believes that he drank, spilled and/or regurgitated a beer in the presence of Urban, using a complex algorithm that assembles several hundred thousand incidents in his 5 year tenure at UC.  For this, Marky feels brotherhood and thus I do too.
  • Who would you rather hire than Urban?  Ohio State was the premium opening,  but look this past week who has been fired, Gill @ Kansas, Erickson @ Az St., Zooker @ Illinois, Neuheisel @ UCLA, some folks I never heard at UAB, Washington State and Memphis.  Bottom line is that you would have to take a flyer on an unproven commodity at this level of a program.  Or as I mentioned in the last musing, Bob Davie and RichRod making a rebirth of sorts.  These other schools can afford to take a risk on a more unproven commodity, but not OSU.  Especially after a season that has turned the program in dissarray.  If OSU did not make a splash, there was imminent danger in the tailspin becoming a three to four year fixture in Columbus.

For the naysayers I hear you and understand as stated above….

  • Quitter.  Well certainly there is a case to be made when the going gets tough; he left.  I heard Muschamp was complaining and surprised as well about how bare the cupboard is right now in Gainesville.  I am discounting Muschamp just for self preservation after a year one disaster.  What else is he going to say.  However, this notion of longevity was certainly on the mind of OSU as they put an extra 2.25 million in the contract in three bonus tranches depending on how many years of the six year agreement he fulfills.
  • Family.  This is probably the one that is hardest to reconcile.  He stated several times in the presser that he did a terrible job of balancing the job.  It consumed him and he said the pursuit of perfection derailed him from his approach when we he first took on the position.  He talked about a “contract” with his kids that required certain commitments from his children that he needed to uphold, but I think the irrevocable trust while not mentioned, was enough to get their “buy-in.”
  • Health.  He pronounced himself fit and ready to go.  He has been checked out and I think the bottom line is that the stress impacted his personal health much more than a permanent physical ailment.

So yes, we can find some concerns with Meyer, but there is no way they move the scale out of balance when weighted versus the potential upside.  There is a certain coach out there right now who is pretty much universally thought of as one of the best in the business but he had his detractors before this latest run of success.  I had to remind one of the Urban critics this week about him.  His name, Mr. Nick Saban.  The entire LSU, Dolphins to Alabama circus brought this into focus.  Memory Lane Alert: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2718488 .  Even if you take a look at the inset timeline of events or should I say denials, did that not give folks reason to pause?  Not about his coaching ability, but those intangibles?  However, you do not hear about these today.  This is not to say that Urban is going to translate the same run as Saban…we can only hope.  However, no one is going to argue his coaching results, rather if the other intangibles mentioned will get in the way of a successful and tenured run.  I am ready for the ride!

One final note, as much grief as I have given the administration, they reacted very quickly and got their #1 target.  With recruiting still in play and all the negative events associated with the program, there was no time to waste and they executed.  Kudos.

Welcome Urban Meyer.

JoeyV(egas)

PS.  More college updates about last weekend later this week.  I consumed multiple times the normal daily allowance of adult beverages on Saturday and I am trying to piece together the events that matter.