No, that doesn't refer to championships or Heisman trophies. Saturday's bowl game was in Birmingham, today's is in Mobile.
Review: SMU 28 Pittsburgh 6 √
100 victories for Coach June Jones, and Pittsburgh couldn't catch a break. An inadvertent whistle called back a fumble recovery on an onside kick attempt that would've been successful in the second quarter. Early in the third quarter a false start penalty (that could've been debated since it was hard to see who moved before the snap even upon review) on a fake punt that would've picked up the first down cost the Panthers, too. It wasn't just the Panthers mistakes that led to a defeat, SMU was on a roll. They took a 21 point lead in the first quarter and hadn't lost a single time this season when they scored at least 21 and they kept that stat in tact.
GoDaddy.com Bowl
Preview: Arkansas State v. Northern Illinois
From Birmingham to Mobile. The Sun Belt has a chance to make some noise heading into the National Championship game. Alright, I know. It won't be a big game, but for a Troy fan, I'm interested to see how the Red Wolves stack up after a pretty impressive season. I feel like I'm just doing a copy and paste here because yet again this bowl season, you're likely to see a high scoring battle between these two. Northern Illinois has scored over 40 points nine times this season. Arkansas State isn't that far behind with 30 points in eight contests this year. The Huskies picked up their final win of the season in the MAC championship game against Ohio where they came back from being down 20 to win on a late field goal. Arkansas State's last game wasn't as close. They faced Troy and soundly silenced (you like that?) the Trojans, 45-14. This game tonight will likely be a closer contest than the Red Wolves last match, but I've got them prevailing.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
6 on 5?
Since when was that fair?
In Thursday night's Sun Belt conference match between Louisiana Lafayette and Western Kentucky, the Ragin' Cajuns had a little extra man-power on the floor helping them get a game-winning layup on their last possession. In fact, they had an extra man.
So, who's to blame? Is it the officials, coaches, players? What about the scorekeeper that had to put in the books that six players checking into the game?
The players. It's got to be hard not to notice that there's an extra man on the court. I get that there is a lot of action, constant motion and it might not be as easy as I think to spot the additional player. It seems to me though that when there's a man on each player, and someone's the odd man out, there's an issue.
The coaches. Which coach should've said something? Was it Hilltoppers head man Ken McDonald's job to keep up with this? Surely any coach should. Or was it the Ragin' Cajuns' Bob Marlin who should've alerted officials to the error? There are a lot of questions to be asked but there's no question McDonald took the brunt of this one as he was fired the day after this incident occurred. Sure, Western Kentucky had started 5-11, but how much did this play into his firing? Was it just bad timing? Would 6-10 have been any better for him had the Hilltoppers managed to get the win?
The officials. They definitely hold a serious amount of the blame. Isn't it their job after all to keep track of the game, including how many players are on the court? Seems like out of all their responsibilities, that might be one of the easier ones. I'm not doubting the crew or saying they don't do a respectable job, but that's almost an inexcusable error. The Sun Belt is discussing suspending the three officials responsible for calling this game, but that still doesn't change the outcome in the record book. Or give McDonald his job back.
I doubt this is something that happens very often, especially in the manner that it did this time with no one noticing and it deciding the outcome of the game in the final seconds.
The irony of the situation?
"This probably happens more than we realize," Wright Waters, retiring Sun Belt commissioner, said.
Really Waters? Does it?
In Thursday night's Sun Belt conference match between Louisiana Lafayette and Western Kentucky, the Ragin' Cajuns had a little extra man-power on the floor helping them get a game-winning layup on their last possession. In fact, they had an extra man.
So, who's to blame? Is it the officials, coaches, players? What about the scorekeeper that had to put in the books that six players checking into the game?
The coaches. Which coach should've said something? Was it Hilltoppers head man Ken McDonald's job to keep up with this? Surely any coach should. Or was it the Ragin' Cajuns' Bob Marlin who should've alerted officials to the error? There are a lot of questions to be asked but there's no question McDonald took the brunt of this one as he was fired the day after this incident occurred. Sure, Western Kentucky had started 5-11, but how much did this play into his firing? Was it just bad timing? Would 6-10 have been any better for him had the Hilltoppers managed to get the win?
I doubt this is something that happens very often, especially in the manner that it did this time with no one noticing and it deciding the outcome of the game in the final seconds.
The irony of the situation?
"This probably happens more than we realize," Wright Waters, retiring Sun Belt commissioner, said.
Really Waters? Does it?
BBVA Compass Bowl
And we're down to the home stretch
Review: ARKANSAS 29 Kansas State 16 √
This game seemed to be a match-up set to score points and be an exciting offensive output, but these two defenses kept the game in check. I said I thought Arkansas would be able to make the stops necessary to win this one, but it turned out to be a special teams play that sparked the Razorbacks. Joe Adams returned a punt 51 yards for Arkansas' first touchdown of the game. The Razorbacks would get up by as many as 19 but on a blocked extra point, the Wildcats got on the board with the defensive conversion for two points. Early in the third quarter, Kansas State scored to make it a three point game, but that was as close as the Wildcats would get. The stats for this game were not overwhelming, particularly since this was deemed to be an offensive ballgame. With only 605 yards between the two schools, there have been more yards racked up by individual clubs this bowl season.
Now we move away from the top 10 and even top 25 matches.
BBVA Compass Bowl
Preview: SMU v. Pittsburgh
A milestone could be broken in today's game between the Mustangs and the Panthers, surprising as it seems. SMU coach June Jones will be seeking his 100th collegiate victory, albeit only 23 of those victories have come with the Mustangs. Seven of those wins came this season as the squad finished 7-5, good enough for a trip to Birmingham to face 6-6 Pittsburgh. The Panthers will be looking to rebound from a loss and not exactly one on the gridiron. Former Pitt head coach Todd Graham is now making his home in Arizona with Arizona State. The Panthers are making their second consecutive appearance in the BBVA Compass Bowl, having taken last years game against the Kentucky Wildcats. I don't see them having as much luck this time around. Congratulations Jones. I hope everyone's saying it to you after a Mustang victory tonight.
Review: ARKANSAS 29 Kansas State 16 √
This game seemed to be a match-up set to score points and be an exciting offensive output, but these two defenses kept the game in check. I said I thought Arkansas would be able to make the stops necessary to win this one, but it turned out to be a special teams play that sparked the Razorbacks. Joe Adams returned a punt 51 yards for Arkansas' first touchdown of the game. The Razorbacks would get up by as many as 19 but on a blocked extra point, the Wildcats got on the board with the defensive conversion for two points. Early in the third quarter, Kansas State scored to make it a three point game, but that was as close as the Wildcats would get. The stats for this game were not overwhelming, particularly since this was deemed to be an offensive ballgame. With only 605 yards between the two schools, there have been more yards racked up by individual clubs this bowl season.
Now we move away from the top 10 and even top 25 matches.
BBVA Compass Bowl
Preview: SMU v. Pittsburgh
A milestone could be broken in today's game between the Mustangs and the Panthers, surprising as it seems. SMU coach June Jones will be seeking his 100th collegiate victory, albeit only 23 of those victories have come with the Mustangs. Seven of those wins came this season as the squad finished 7-5, good enough for a trip to Birmingham to face 6-6 Pittsburgh. The Panthers will be looking to rebound from a loss and not exactly one on the gridiron. Former Pitt head coach Todd Graham is now making his home in Arizona with Arizona State. The Panthers are making their second consecutive appearance in the BBVA Compass Bowl, having taken last years game against the Kentucky Wildcats. I don't see them having as much luck this time around. Congratulations Jones. I hope everyone's saying it to you after a Mustang victory tonight.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Does this make any sense?
Two teams in the top 10 will be playing tonight, but not in a BCS bowl game. I understand Arkansas couldn't make it because of Alabama and LSU both making the title game, but where's the sense in this?
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Preview: Kansas State v. Arkansas
Both these teams only have two losses. Arkansas to the two squads that will be meeting Monday night for the Championship, and K. State to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in back to back weeks. All in all, pretty impressive seasons by two teams that almost flew under the radar. Both these teams average over 33 points per game and are in the top 30 in the nation in points scored. Seems like we've had several games recently that have matched up top offenses, so yet again, there may be some complaints about lack of defense, but I see the Razorbacks defense stepping up and making the plays necessary to get the win and making the SEC proud.
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Preview: Kansas State v. Arkansas
Both these teams only have two losses. Arkansas to the two squads that will be meeting Monday night for the Championship, and K. State to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in back to back weeks. All in all, pretty impressive seasons by two teams that almost flew under the radar. Both these teams average over 33 points per game and are in the top 30 in the nation in points scored. Seems like we've had several games recently that have matched up top offenses, so yet again, there may be some complaints about lack of defense, but I see the Razorbacks defense stepping up and making the plays necessary to get the win and making the SEC proud.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Is there anything else?
With Bowl Season wrapping up in just a few days, have there been any other top stories breaking in sports? I've almost forgotten to pay attention.
The NFL Playoffs begin this weekend, and I honestly don't even know who's in. I do know the obvious teams like the Packers and Patriots, and I know Tebow made it in, but I haven't paid much attention. It'll matter more to me after the college football bowl season ends. Of course, with the regular season over that mean the NFL draft order has been decided, and the Colts will get the first pick. Who they'll take? Well, that's still to be decided.
The NBA is in full swing now and though they're only a few games into the season, there has already been a coach fired. The Sacramento Kings will be under new leadership as Paul Westphal was canned just seven games into the season with a record of 2-5 this year. I've seen some pretty crazy plays so far, and surely there will be more to come since it's early in the season. There was a pretty awesome dunk by Kenneth Faried that's worth checking out.
College hoops has seen a few interesting upsets this season as Indiana has beaten Kentucky and Ohio State who were #1 & #2 respectively at the time. Duke also has suffered rare losses, having already chalked up two losses on their schedule, falling to Ohio State and Temple. There's nothing like March Madness, but there have been good games so far.
While this post isn't about college football, I'd be wrong not to mention all the coaching changes that have taken place during the past few weeks. Several notable ones include Hugh Freeze taking the job at Ole Miss allowing Gus Malzahn to leave Auburn for Arkansas State, Penn State now has a new head man, Terry Bowden is returning to the FBS and Charlie Weis is back in the head coaching role with Kansas.
Keep an eye out after bowl season wraps up. I might be expounding on some of these topics!
The NFL Playoffs begin this weekend, and I honestly don't even know who's in. I do know the obvious teams like the Packers and Patriots, and I know Tebow made it in, but I haven't paid much attention. It'll matter more to me after the college football bowl season ends. Of course, with the regular season over that mean the NFL draft order has been decided, and the Colts will get the first pick. Who they'll take? Well, that's still to be decided.
The NBA is in full swing now and though they're only a few games into the season, there has already been a coach fired. The Sacramento Kings will be under new leadership as Paul Westphal was canned just seven games into the season with a record of 2-5 this year. I've seen some pretty crazy plays so far, and surely there will be more to come since it's early in the season. There was a pretty awesome dunk by Kenneth Faried that's worth checking out.
College hoops has seen a few interesting upsets this season as Indiana has beaten Kentucky and Ohio State who were #1 & #2 respectively at the time. Duke also has suffered rare losses, having already chalked up two losses on their schedule, falling to Ohio State and Temple. There's nothing like March Madness, but there have been good games so far.
While this post isn't about college football, I'd be wrong not to mention all the coaching changes that have taken place during the past few weeks. Several notable ones include Hugh Freeze taking the job at Ole Miss allowing Gus Malzahn to leave Auburn for Arkansas State, Penn State now has a new head man, Terry Bowden is returning to the FBS and Charlie Weis is back in the head coaching role with Kansas.
Keep an eye out after bowl season wraps up. I might be expounding on some of these topics!
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