Case Keenum Completing A June Pass

((HT: MyFoxHouston))

Yup... getting married...

Case and girlfriend of six years, Kimberly Caddell, are completing their reception in Abilene in mid-June...

It's a Texas Royal Wedding!!!
Or not...

UH Star Keenum Ready for Marriage: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Broseph's Bits And The Tuesday Gospel

The gospel is tired from the long night of watching college basketball. We're just going to give you the winners you so desperately crave. Two road teams...oh boy.

Ball State +2 -- The MAC race involves both Ball State and Miami-Ohio. Those two teams will take the court together in Miami-Ohio on Tuesday night. The RedHawks are 9-12, 4-3 in the MAC. They will be without the services of Antonio Ballard who is the 2nd leading scorer and rebounder after he shattered his wrist against Central Michigan. Starting point guard Quinten Rollins hurt his wrist in practice and he's out indefinitely. The team's leading scorer Julian Mavunga had a foot injury, but returned to action. The team has lost two of their last three including last time out at home against Western Michigan. The Cardinals are struggling as of late, but are still 13-7, 5-2 in the MAC. They play outstanding defense allowing only 60.9 points per game which is good for 24th in the country. They rely on Jarrod Jones (15.4 ppg), Jauwan Scaife (11 ppg) and Randy Davis (10.3 ppg). Ball State lost three straight home games so a trip away from home could help the team out. Before their losing streak, the Cardinals had won seven straight. They have covered in six of their seven lined games against teams with a losing record.

Creighton -3.5 -- The Creighton Blue Jays hope a trip to Bradley can help them stop the bleeding. They have lost four of their last six contests. Three of them were by five points or less all on the road. This is a Bradley team that they beat 81-68 at home on January 19th. The Jays are extremely talented especially on the front line with Gregory Echenique (10.6 ppg) and Kenny Lawson Jr. (9.9 ppg). Combine those two with Doug McDermott (14.2 ppg) and Antoine Young (13.5 ppg) in the backcourt and you have a talented team. That's a lot more then you can say for the depleted Bradley Braves. BU has lost 11 straight contests and rely on Andrew Warren (18.9 ppg) and Dodie Dunson (10 ppg). Bradley is 139th in scoring putting up just 63.2 points per contest while allowing 69. They have lost five straight home games with all but one coming by at least six points or more. Warren wrenched his neck last time out against Wichita State, but he should be good enough to give it a go. We will continue to fade Bradley until they win a contest.

Marshall/Houston Over 137.5 -- Marshall hits the road to take on Houston on Tuesday night. The Thundering Herd are 14-7 and putting up 74.9 points per game. Marshall has scored 70 points or more in five of their last seven games. The team averages 72.7 points per game in conference while allowing almost 70. The Thundering Herd has six players who score at least eight points per game and are led by DeAndre Kane (15.3 ppg) and Damier Pitts (15.3 ppg). Houston is 11-9, 3-4 in the Conference USA. They score 70 points per game while allowing almost 68. Houston also has a balanced offense with six players scoring at least eight points per contest. Houston has gone over in five of their seven conference games as they allow their opponents to shoot almost 43% from the field. They have scored at least 70 points in eight of their last 10 contests. This one should be a shootout.

DEVELOPING: Case Keenum Gets 6th Year Of Eligibility

The University of Houston got some good news Friday afternoon as the NCAA has granted quarterback Case Keenum a sixth year of eligibility based on medical hardship.

The appeal request came after Keenum suffered a season-ending torn ACL back on September 18th in the game against UCLA.

Here's the injury and the highlights from the game which 23rd-ranked Houston lost...
((HT: FoxSports))


Keenum also had a shoulder injury during his high school senior season, which kept him from playing as a true freshman.

"We are extremely happy for Case and his family. He is an exceptional person and his dedication to the University of Houston has been evident through this process," said Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades. "I want to thank the NCAA and Conference USA for their assistance in our appeal. There are so many people within the athletic department that worked tirelessly to make this successful, primarily our Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance Kevin Klotz. Without all these people, our efforts wouldn't have had such an exciting result."

Remember all those NCAA passing records eveyone was looking forward to seeing Keenum chase in 2010...??? He now gets to chase them in 2011...

Tournament Tommy Resigns At Houston

((HT: MyFoxHouston/Delony))

University of Houston men's hoops coach is now their former men's hoops coach. Penders spoke to the media Monday, saying he was leaving on his own terms...

"The truth is, I have decided to resign as the head basketball coach at the University of Houston," said Penders. "I'm not retiring."

"I came to the University of Houston in 2004 with a goal of getting UH back to the NCAA Tournament. We achieved this goal, and now it's time for me to move on."

Which lends itself to the collective chin-rubbing from the HQ as to the "why."
We'll leave it for now...

Here's the presser, thanks to Fox 26 in Houston...

TWTW: Air Force Wins Armed Forces Bowl Grounding Houston

((HT: KKTV, Colorado Springs))

The running gag was that they oughta re-name the Armed Forces Bowl since Air Force was involved... you know, turn it in to the "Ground Forces Bowl."

Jared Tew runs for 173 yards as the Zoomies ran for 403 overall...

Case Keenum was handcuffed all game long and finished the day with only 222 yards passing and SIX INTERCEPTIONS... two off deflections, but most created when the Air Force front seven had their hands up to clog passing lanes...

Keenum talked for all of 78-seconds in his postgame comments- not taking any questions... He had submitted his name to the NFL's evaluation committee to see if it would be worth his while to come out after his junior year. Those of us at OSG HQ think this showing should yield his answer...

Keenum threw for six picks in his previous twelve games this year and matched the total in the Dallas bowl game by its lonesome...

Strange what sound defensive fundamentals will do for you...

Here's some abbreviated highlights and post, thanks to our friends at KKTV in Colorado Springs...

TWTW: East Carolina Gets C-USA Crown Over Houston

"You didn't have to go for it right there..."

Yup, Ron Franklin had it right...

What Case Keenum was doing throwing with that much time on the clock for the, possible, game-winner is beyond a lot of us...

Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin is, really, the only one who knows the answer on that one... Travis Simmons tips the football to Van Eskridge for the rally-stopper and the Pirates win 38-32 over the Cougars in Greenville, North Carolina...

East Carolina heads to the Liberty Bowl where they play, probably, Arkansas. It's anyone's guess where Houston is going...

Here's the ending, thanks to our friends at ABC/ESPN/Conference USA

TWTW: Orlando Is Not A Cougar Town...

((HT: CFN13/Orlando))

So much for that idea of Case Keenum being in everyone's poser-trophy top fives...

The 37-32 loss by the Cougars to UCF pretty much flushed that down the toilet.

UCF is now bowl eligible...

“I think it’s outstanding” said UCF Head coach George O’Leary afterward, “I think that you use that to catapult your program and school, and that’s great. You go in thinking you win them all. I didn’t realize they were 12th in the country (AP Poll). I think it’s a great win for the program, it was a well fought win, and all three phases played well at times in the game.”

Those of us at OSG HQ doubt for a second that O'Leary didn't know Houston was ranked... we call shenanigans...

So, what do you do covering a story but not involving game video of any type...???
Send CFNews13's Emily Lampa to campus to do a post-game fan piece...

TWTW: Houston Pulls Out Win At Tulsa

((HT: KJRH-TV/Tulsa))

Matt Hogan's career-best 51-yard field goal as time expired capped a dramatic comeback and lifted 13th-ranked Houston over Tulsa, 46-45, at Chapman Stadium.

Charles Clay's one-yard plunge with 3:28 left in regulation provided Tulsa a 45-37 cushion, but Houston mounted one last charge, getting to the Tulsa two with 1:24 left after Bryce Beall's 13-yard run. Beall gained one yard on two consecutive rushes, then Keenum found James Cleveland for a one-yard TD pass to make it 45-43 with 21 seconds left.

The conversion failed, however, when Keenum was sacked as he tried to roll out to the right.

Tim Monroe was able to come up with the onsides kick after a Tulsa player mishandled the ball, and Houston was set up on its own 39. Keenum connected with Cleveland for 14 yards on the second play of the drive, then hit Tyron Carrier for 13 yards with three seconds to go.

Hogan lined up for the 51-yard attempt and was true to end the contest.

"As long as there is time on the clock, you have to try and win the game," Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "You can't panic. Our coaching staff did a great job of not panicking and our kids did a good job of handling the situation."

Keenum finished 40-of-60 for 522 yards and three touchdowns for the Cougars (8-1, 4-1 C-USA), who won their fifth straight contest.

Here's your highlights from NBC2 in Tulsa and okblitz.com

TWTW: Long Day In Mississippi, Eagles and Rebs Both Lose

((HT: WDAM-TV/Hattiesburg))

Southern Miss lost 50-43 to #15 University of Houston in a shootout.

The Cougars (7-1, 3-1 C-USA) drive the ball 77 yards in the final minute for a seven point lead against Larry Fedora's visiting Golden Eagles (5-4, 3-2) for the victory.

USM's offense recorded over 600 total yards against the Cougar's defense. Houston leads the nation in total offense and recorded 750 yards against the Eagles.

Cougars quarterback, Case Keenum, completed 44 passes for 559 total yards and five touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss lost on the Plains to Auburn 33-20.

Chris Todd passed for 212 yards, Ben Tate ran for 144 yards and Walter McFadden returned an interception for a touchdown.

Sufficed to say, TBH was quite pleased and may now have to stay home for all remaining home games for the War Eagle since she decided not to get wet and sit at Jordan-Hare for the first time this season.

Here's FOSG Heather Cook with your highlights of both...
Hang on 'til the end and you'll see her get a little distracted...
((HT: WDAM-TV))

Houston Eliminated

Now only Boise State remains of the have nots. The Houston Cougars headed to the West Texas town of El Paso and came back with a "L" as UTEP prevailed 58-41. Cougar fans, say good bye to your BCS dreams.

Hey the game was entertaining. Both Houston and UTEP combined for 99 points and while the Cougars have held it's own in shootouts, including a pair of win over Big 12 teams, the Miners had more fire power and came up with the big defensive play when Roddray Walker recovers a bad snap by Houston and raced 70-yard for the touchdown with 3:28 left in the game, sealing UTEP's first win over a ranked opponent in 12 years.

"It was a blast," UTEP head coach Mike Price told the El Paso Times "We haven't had enough fun. I told the players were going to have fun, and it was fun.

It may have been fun for the Miners but the Cougars have to think what might have been. QB Case Keenum posted career highs in completions (51), attempts (76) and threw for a career best 536 yards but even he couldn't do it all. UTEP just simply outgunned Houston.

Expect Houston to free-fall in the college football polls because a loss on the road to a conference opponent that was 1-3 going into the game means the Cougars have lost a lot of credibility.

Or maybe the Cougars were looking ahead to their game next Saturday at Stark-vegas against Mississippi State of the SEC. That game looms large now.

Here's partial highlights from KTSM-TV with bonus coverage of the New Mexico State/San Diego State game. http://www.ktsm.com/sports/utep-shocks-12-houston-sun-bowl

Here's the UTEP fans storming the field after the win. (Thanks Youtube.com)

Photo Courtesy: Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

TWTW: Houston Gets Boatraced In El Paso 58-41

((HT: KVIA-TV/El Paso))

Donald Buckram ran for a career-high 262 yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas-El Paso to a 58-41 upset of No. 12 Houston.

The Cougars (3-1, 0-1 Conference USA) had earned their first ranking since 1991 and were hoping to become a BCS spoiler after two wins over Big 12 foes. Instead they watched UTEP fans storm the field seconds after the Miners (2-3, 1-0) beat a ranked team for the first time in 12 years.

Houston lost despite a career night from Case Keenum, who threw for 536 yards and five touchdowns.

Buckram had 158 yards and all four of his scores as UTEP pulled away in the second half.

So much for Houston being a bracket buster. "Fun to watch" doesn't necessarily translate into "Run the table."

Here's an interesting bit of live television...
KVIA-TV's Raul Martinez is live for Channel 7's Saturday night sportscast from the Sun Bowl. He's very over-modulated, but he's very excited about his highlights- while the game is still going on in the fourth quarter...

We "think" this is okay since the game had no live television coverage otherwise...


Lost in the whole "Case Keenum had a career night" talk is that to get that 536 yards passing, he had to go 51 of 76...

Un-f'n-real...
Who does he think he is...???
David Klingler or Andre Ware or something...???

TWTW: Stunned In Stillwater, Oklahoma State Falls To Houston

A week after defeating Georgia and feeling invincible the Oklahoma State Cowboys gets beatdown at Boone Pickens Stadium by the Houston Cougars 45-35. Talk about a humbling experience.

"Everybody's been telling them how good they've been and how good they are." Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said. "They're going to see the other side of it."

On the same field where OSU got a signature win last week against Georgia the Pokes witness Houston turn the same trick. The Cougars have been flying way under the radar except for those who follow Conference USA. This win means the Coogs are legit.

"For us, as a program, this is a big win." Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "It legitimizes our university. It legitimizes our program. There's no doubt that one win does not make a season. We got a whole bunch of football to go, but I think anytime that you can go on the road and win and beat a top 10 team, it really helps your confidence as a program and it helps your pride as a university."

Houston quarterback Case Keenum was not to shabby on Saturday throwing for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns and leading the Cougars to their first win over a top 5 opponent since 1984.

Oklahoma State meanwhile became the latest victim of the famed Sports Illustrated cover jinx, even if coach Gundy denies it.

"I don't believe in the SI jinx," Gundy said. "I don't think that played a role. I think Houston played a good football game."

Yes coach Gundy they did and the SI jinx lives.

OSU fans, you had to have seen something like this coming. How many times have you seen this scenario in college football, get a huge program defining win early in the year against big time program (or in OSU's case, an SEC school Georgia.) only to suffer a unexplainable loss the next week.

This loss really hurts Oklahoma State and the Cowboys will take a tumble in the polls. Whatever street cred the Pokes got for whipping the mighty Georgia Bulldogs is gone. I hesitate to say OSU is an underachieving team but that might be the case unless the Cowboys bounce back.

The Pokes get Houston's other school, Rice next week in Stillwater, then Grambling before beginning Big 12 Conference play at a tough venue, Kyle Field in College Station, Texas against the Aggies of Texas A&M. That game against the Aggies has become very interesting.

Photo Courtesy: STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

Conference USA Preview the 2009 Version

East Carolina Pirates
2008 Record: 9-5, 6-2 in conference
Lost to Kentucky in the Liberty Bowl 23-19

Things to Like About East Carolina:

What is it that wins championships…? Oh, yeah… defense. Last year, the Pirates were in the Top 30 in the country in eight defensive categories for Division 1. Eight guys come back to start another year.

Most of the offensive line that kept QB Patrick Pinckney upright returns and top target Dwayne Harris may get to improve on the 58 catches he had in 2008.

Things Not To Like About East Carolina:

The early part of the schedule that could have them starting the season 0-3. They take on Appalachian State. They travel to Morgantown. They travel to Chapel Hill.

The losses to graduation: #2 rusher/#3 receiver Brandon Simmons and #2 receiver TE Davon Drew on offense, and #2 tackler LB Pierre Bell on defense. ECU also has to find three D-Lineman that received their papers for the real world also.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: ECU’s opens the season with 4 of 6 on the road and with the first 2 road games at West Virginia and at North Carolina, a 1-2 start might be in the cards. But ECU should finish strong and with Virginia Tech coming to Greenville November 5th the Pirates could back up their upset last year of the Hokies. ECU is a very talented team but with a tough non-conference schedule 8 wins looks to be the number for the Pirates.

Phil: They have accomplished some good things. They are a solid D-1 program who can scare some people. Yes, they open with a tough road schedule but they will do OK in this conference. Don’t expect them to light it up and threaten for a BCS bowl, but they will do alright at the mid level. They will contend for the conference title, but come up a bit short.

Nelson: Even with 8 starters returning on each side of the ball, it will be tough to improve on the win total for the fourth year in a row. It may be only a 7-win season at ECU. Completely unacceptable if you’re Head Coach Skip Holtz…

Houston Cougars
2008 Record: 8-5, 6-2 in conference
Beat Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl 34-28

Things to Like About Houston:

Two Words: Case Keenum. Much like his UH predecessors, Andre Ware and David Klingler, Keenum isn’t shy about throwing the football around. He threw for over 5,000 yards last season, completed two-thirds of his passes, and had a 4-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio ((44 to 11)). Almost 90-percent of the offensive numbers return for this season. The Cougs were second in the nation for total offense in 2008.

RB Bryce Beall was Freshman of the Year in 2008 and will get to be the balance in the offense. He ran for over 1,200 yards last season. He should get that much, if not more, this year.

WR Tyron Carrier led all freshmen with 80 catches last year. Pencil the number in again.

Things Not To Like About Houston:

Defense (or a lack of it)… Head Coach Kevin Sumlin is going to have to stop somebody- anybody… Against D1 opponents last year, all but Tulane scored at least 20 points against them. 7 scored 30 or more and 3 scored 45 or more. Get the point…?

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: If Houston can at least stop someone then the Cougars have no problem running the table in the C-USA West. One potential hiccup, or maybe a two, is that Houston must play Tulsa and UTEP on the road, that pair will challenge the Coogs in the division. With the best QB and receivers in the league and a Bryce Beall in the backfield, it looks like double digit wins and a conference title.

Phil: Today’s letter is the letter “D”. This summary is brought to you by the letter “D”. Thankfully there is no “D” in Houston, unfortunately there is very little “D” at the University either. They will be a pain in the ass to play, but in this conference, they are probably the best or at least one of the best teams. Top 3 in the Conference and mid-level bowl like every other team that exists with a winning record.

Nelson: It’ll be another bowl for them, and possibly, a chance at the title game. But like last year, they’re going to just outscore everyone to do it. The keys to the car (and the season) are in Keenum’s hands the whole time.

Marshall Thundering Herd
2008 Season: 4-8, 3-5 in conference

Things to Like About Marshall:

The defense: Practically everyone returns for 2009- 8 starters and 7 of the top 10 tacklers from last season. Focus on DE Albert McClellan, LB Mario Harvey, and Sophomore stud CB DeQuan Bembry.

Darius Marshall ran for over 1,000 yards last year. He’ll need to do it again this year.
Try to bring down All-America candidate TE Cody Slate. We dare you…

Things Not To Like About Marshall:

The current vibe: A lot of the Herd wanted to punt Head Coach Mark Snyder after last season, and if things keep going the way they have been. They may get the chance after this year. Snyder is in the crosshairs now more than ever after the arrest of Marshall and Bembry in the offseason and how the situation is being handled.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: A good core of talent but not enough to get above .500 and not enough to save Mark Snyder’s job.

Phil: How the mighty have fallen. This was an “Elite” level mid-major not too long ago. Now they are lucky to be a .500 team and in fact, this year they won’t. Eventually they natives will get restless and Mr. Snyder will be looking for other employ soon. Middle of the pack here.

Nelson: It’ll be another 3 or 4-win season, another long fall, and another search for a head coach come the off-season.

Memphis Tigers
2008 Season: 6-7, 4-4 in conference
Lost To South Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl 41-14

Things to Like About Memphis:

The running game: Newcomer of the Year Curtis Steele isn’t a newcomer anymore. The Ju-Co transfer cleared 1,200 yards on the ground last year. He’ll have to do that again.

The receivers: Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton. Calhoun brings a 37-game catch streak into the 2009 season. He should have a few school records beside his name before it’s said and done. Singleton is a big target for anyone at 6-8.

Things Not To Like About Memphis:

That whole “defense” thing again: The Tigers lose three down linemen to graduation on a team that “improved” to the middle of the pack in Division 1 stats.

What’s left of the offense: Only four starters come back for 2009. The offensive line took it in the chops thanks to graduation.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: The schedule is a killer hosting a potentially great Ole Miss team at the Liberty Bowl. Later the Tigers go across the state to Knoxville to battle the Vols and then Memphis closes the season at Houston and at Tulsa. Memphis might get 6 wins and go bowling again but it’s going to be a chore.

Phil: Meh! Quite honestly, this team isn’t very interesting. They are young and rebuilding so maybe they will grow up and be something…but not right now. They will get roughed up early and won’t quite be able to recover from it.

Nelson: Another middle-of-the-road year for a middle-of-the-road team. They could be 6-4 heading into the last two games of the year, and the two road games that end the regular season will decide how much they’ve improved.

Rice Owls
2008 Season: 10-3, 7-1 in conference
Beat Western Michigan 38-14 in the Texas Bowl

What to Like About Rice:

It goes well with just about everything, but the brown version doesn’t stick to your… What…??? Oh… the football team…

By default, it’s the defense. The team’s top nine tacklers come back for another go-round.

What Not To Like About Rice:

They lost everyone that made an impact from the bowl-winners from last year: QB, top 2 receivers, top running back. Finding a replacement for Chase Clement will be huge.

The schedule: The Owls start with three road games- UAB, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State. They’ll be happy to get into conference play.

OSG’s Take:
Wilkie: Rice is going to take a beating this year and especially from the get-go. The Owls are rebuilding and if they can survive the early part of the schedule 3-3 they may have a chance at a bowl. I’m afraid it’s a long year for Rice.

Phil: Because of the non-conference schedule…they will struggle. But they won’t fall too far in the conference. They are still one of the stronger teams in C-USA. I think they will be a 7-5 team that squeaks into a bowl game because as I have said repeatedly, anyone with a .500 or better record gets into a bowl game.

Nelson: To be honest, in a conference that loves offensive numbers this team has to try to find too much of what they lost. If you start 1-2 on the road, you may lose to Vandy to go 1-3. The season gets longer and longer from there… a .500 team.

SMU Mustangs
2008 Season: 1-11, 0-8 in conference

What to Like About SMU:

Can we get back to you on this one…?

Actually, the Ponies were the youngest team on the planet last year. They were put into college football on the fly, and they have a year’s worth of experience to play with.

All the skill players return- which is nice…

What Not To Like About SMU:

Bo Levi Mitchell is going to have to be a smarter QB this season in the run and shoot. He was almost even in his QB-to-INT numbers. They were 24-to-23 last season.

The young guys are still young across the board… the team may be a good team next year and the year after that.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: SMU is a crap shoot. They should be better with one year of June Jones’ system under their belt. Then again it could all implode again. The ‘Stangs will win 3 maybe 4 and that’s about it.

Phil: Does anyone remember the Pony Express? Nah…didn’t think so. Shmoo will be improved…they have to be. Yeah, they are young and yeah, June Jones is too good of a coach for them not to improve. They will, but they still have a “Long, Long Way to go” (Foreigner circa 1978).

Nelson: There will be improvement at SMU in Year Two of the June Jones era. How much remains to be seen. There will be a conference win here or there, and they do play Washington State. Three wins- tops…but that’s more than one…

Southern Miss Golden Eagles
2008 Season: 7-6, 4-4 in conference
Beat Troy 30-27 in OT in the New Orleans Bowl

What to Like About Southern Miss:

Everybody that means something to Larry Fedora’s team last year is back for another run. Offensively, 80-percent of the line returns to make more holes for Damian Fletcher. He had almost 1,350 yards last year and is USM’s career rushing leader.

QB Austin Davis comes back and he’ll be looking for another 23-and-8 year throwing to guys like WR DeAndre Brown (67 Rec-1,117 YDS-12TD) who averaged over 16-and-a-half yards per catch in 2008.

What Not To Like About Southern Miss:

Fedora has to find replacements for LB’s Gerald McRath and Tokumbo Abanikanda- the top two tacklers on the team last season. Eight more starters return on defense from ’08, but that’s a big responsibility that has to be delegated.

The out-of-conference schedule will get them ready, as always, for C-USA play. It includes road trips to Kansas and Louisville in the first-half of the year.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: The C-USA eastern division may come down to an end of season showdown at East Carolina. I really like the Golden Eagles; they have a ton of talent and expect USM to represent the East in the C-USA title game.

Phil: These guys are almost always solid and that isn’t going to change. Coach Hat (Fedora) has a veteran team with some talent coming back. In this conference, that means you have a chance to win the whole enchilada. Look for them to compete for the title and get a bowl bid somewhere.

Nelson: Sure, the team will have a win-loss record close to .500 at the end of the year, but the road trips early will get them ready for conference play late. It should be another bowl-bound bunch from Hattiesburg. They’ll be the standard pain-in-the-ass they’ve always been to everyone outside Conference USA.

Tulane Green Wave
2008 Season: 2-10, 1-7 in conference

What to Like About the Green Wave:

You’ve got to give Head Coach Bob Toledo credit. He never quits. But when the liner notes you see talk about your punter, you’re in trouble.

What Not To Like About the Green Wave:

Seeing the situation at Tulane never improve

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: When your winnable games are all on the road that doesn’t bode well. It’s going to be a real long year at Tulane.

Phil: On the good side, New Orleans is a nice place to visit for a day or 2.

Nelson: Admittedly, I have a soft spot for any New Orleans-based athletic program since Hurricane Katrina. We’ve even endorsed contributing to the Tulane Athletic Fund and helping out UNO as well. This will be another 2-win season unless SMU improves and passes Tulane in conference play. Toledo doesn’t have the toys everyone else has ands has to do more with less. Unfortunately, it’s just never enough.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane
2008 Season: 11-3, 7-1 in conference
Won Against Ball State in the GMAC Bowl 45-13

What to Like About Tulsa:

The video-game like prowess they have in putting up numbers. While we don’t necessarily endorse Todd Graham as a Mad Scientist, they only scored less than 30 points twice in 2008. They scored 50 or more 6 times, 60 or more 3 times, and maxed out at 77 against UTEP. They return the number one offense in the country.

Try to catch them if you can…the game against Boise in October should be a blast…

What Not To Like About Tulsa:

If you don’t like teams that only play an Arena Football-like defense, this is not a squad for you.

Graham also has to find a replacement for starting QB David Johnson (4,059 yards and 46 TDs) and some guys to protect whoever the new QB will be. That will be the earliest and stiffest challenge of the season. They get past that, everything else is downhill.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: Love the TU offense, scoring points isn’t a problem. 4 of TU’s first 5 games are on the road but all but one are winnable (I don’t see the Golden Hurricane defeating Oklahoma in Norman). They won’t win the C-USA West this year but they will win 9 games and get a decent bowl.

Phil: The system alone will win them 6. Talent will win another one or 2. They may not light it up like last year, but they won’t be far behind. I agree they may not get a title this year, but a bowl game is pretty much a lock.

Nelson: Like we said, if they can find Johnson’s replacement- and that’s a big IF- everything else will be okay for the Golden Grahams. I don’t see them setting a new school record for wins again, but I do see a bowl game in their post-season.

University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers
2008 Season: 4-8, 3-5 in conference

What to Like About UAB:

Webb Feet: QB Joe Webb set the Conference USA record for single-season rushing yards by a quarterback at 1,021.

Less Is More: The last two games of the season the Blazers gave up a total of 13 points.

More is more: The number of scholarship athletes will, finally, be in the 80 range for Head Coach Neil Callaway. He’s been trying to fight with kids numbering in the high-60’s since he showed up. Every offensive starter returns.

What Not To Like About UAB:

The Blazers lose their top two tacklers form last season- LB Joe Henderson and Safety Will Dunbar. They also lose their dual threat in special teams K/P Swayze Waters. If there’s a close game in 2009, it may be on the foot of an inexperienced kicker to get the job done- something UAB can ill afford.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: 7 road games! Does anyone want to play at Legion Field anymore (wait… I know the answer to that question.) 4 wins is about it, and fire the schedule maker.

Phil: OK, so they are less horrible. Thanks Coach Calloway. There are some bright spots here, but they suffer in anonymity in the state of Alabama. We get the whole play lots of big teams and get good paychecks theory, but you have to do something to get noticed at home too. Middle of the pack…if everything goes right 6 wins and a minor bowl, more than likely 4 and another long winter.

Nelson: Another long year. Webb threw for only 10 scores while getting intercepted 16 times in 2008, That really can’t happen in 2009 even though Webb will make up for it with the yards he gets carrying the football. 4 wins sounds about right.

University of Central Florida Knights
2008 Season: 4-8, 3-5 in conference

What to Like About UCF:

Defense, defense, and defense: Six of the front seven return from last year’s team that led the C-USA in rushing defense and was second in total defense. LB’s Cory Hogue and Jordan Richards should be back from injury.

Offense: Ten starters come back for Head Coach George O’Leary. WR’s Rocky Ross and AJ Guyton should be back from injuries as well. QB Rob Calabrese started as a true freshman. That experience carries over for 2009.

What Not To Like About UCF:

Having to replace all-conference lineman Patrick Brown and all the losses in the secondary… Our guess is that, to score points, teams in the C-USA are going to have to pass the football.

Wait… what…??? Teams do that here…???

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: Here’s a quirky stat on UCF during the George O’Leary era. In even numbered years the Knights are 6-18 in O’Leary’s 6 seasons. In odd number years UCF goes to a bowl. I think that trend ends in 2009.

Phil: The fighting O’Leary’s are not as good as they were a couple of years ago. They may never be again. But, there are the makings of a good team here…they just are missing a couple of pieces. Don’t expect them to play pinball with some of the C-USA big boys, but they will jump up and surprise somebody this year. 5 wins would be a solid season for them.

Nelson: If it’s true that defenses come around first, then UCF should get a jumpstart on their conference brethren. But the early part of the schedule may cancel that out with Buffalo and Miami there. They’ll come on strong late and may get another win or two over the 2008 season.

University of Texas-El Paso Miners
2008 Season: 5-7, 4-4 in conference

What to Like About UTEP:

QB Trevor Vittatoe: A top 20 QB in passing efficiency and total offense in Division 1. He threw for almost 3,300 yards and 33 TD’s last year. That kind of year should happen again when he still gets to throw to guys like Jeff Moturi and Kris Adams.

Moturi and Adams combined for 23 of the 33 scores.

LB Braxton Arny returns after being out for the entire 2008 season with a torn ACL. He should help fill the gaps from graduation.

What Not To Like About UTEP:

The schedule: Buffalo, Kansas, and Texas are three of your first four.
Head Coach Mike Price also has to find a replacement for leading rusher Terrell Jackson

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: It’s a make or break year for Mike Price at UTEP. A 4th straight losing season might make the natives restless. That’s not going to happen. UTEP has a favorable schedule and should just outscore opponents. The Miners win 7-8 games and go bowling.

Phil: They will be decent because they can score. I don’t agree that Price goes on the hotseat, UTEP needs to realize who they are. They are a decent team in an OK conference that if the stars align can compete for the title. They will be above .500…maybe… but will get into a bowl game.

Nelson: UTEP will score points. That’s the easy part. Biggest question is: Can they keep the other guy from doing it…? The games they won last year, they pinned the other team down. In the games they lost, they got destroyed. To me that translates into “average.”

Conference Champion:

Wilkie: Houston
Phil: Rice Krispies
Nelson: Houston

Offensive MVP:
Wilkie: Case Keenum - Houston
Phil: Case Keenum - Houston
Nelson: Case Keenum- Houston

Defensive MVP:
Wilkie: C.J. Wilson – East Carolina
Phil: Albert McClellan - Marshall
Nelson: Albert McClellan- Marshall

Tom Penders= Richard Nixon

((HT: Awfulannouncing))

The University of Houston Head men's basketball Coach Tom Penders thinks that the four-letter has it out for him...

We showed you the video of the University of Arizona's Chase Budinger getting curb-stomped by the Cougars Aubrey Coleman over the weekend. Penders was a guest of Lance Zierlein's program on KGOW/1560 AM The Game this morning...

Penders thinks he knows that the folks in Bristol doctored the video from the game and claims they've done that kind of stuff before. Hey, he used to do some work there...

Here's Zierlein's blog at the Houston Chronicle... with audio goodness from Penders...
Here's the curb-stomping again...
Just because...
((HT: FSN/NCAA/the youtube))

Chase Budinger's Face Gets Waffled...

((HT: Deadspin/ESPN))

Couldn't resist this bout of stupidity...
The University of Houston's Aubrey Coleman wanted to clean off the soles of his shoes during the game against Arizona at the McKale Center in Tucson.

One problem- he used Wildcat Chase Budinger's face as his welcome mat...

And Houston WAS UP 12 AT THE TIME!!!
We laugh in Houston's general direction since they lost by six in overtime.
Bear Down To You, too, pal...

We imagine C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky's phone rang shortly after the game was over...

Theismann, Eat Your Heart Out...

This is why we don't have college football games on Tuesday nights...
Simply put, you run in to those wagons that hold band gear in the back of the endzones that hadn't been moved by the mid-way point of the third quarter...

See what happens...???
See...???

Wednesday Update: According to Fox 26 in Houston, the Edwards family is considering legal action against Marshall University. Patrick Edwards seems to be cool with the whole situation, but his momma is out for blood.

"I thought I didn't have a son anymore, the way he flipped," said Patricia Edwards, Patrick's mother told Fox 26. "I thought we had lost him. He could have been paralyzed or something."

Patrick's mother said she is considering legal action against Marshall.

"My family, we all talked about it and they are for it," Miss Edwards said. "We are going to talk with the Houston coaches and see what they think about it.

"It could have been prevented. He could have ended his career (Tuesday) night."

One call, that's all...

((HT: thebiglead/ESPN))

East Carolina, You Have A Problem...

Yeah, yeah.. we know...
It was too easy to let that one go...

Here's how it happened...



((HT: CBS/CSTV and the youtube))

And here's your postgame reaction from ECU Head Coach Skip Holtz



((HT: WRAL-TV/WRAL.com))