Broseph's Bits And The Thursday Gospel

National Signing Day came and passed by with schools across the country receiving orals from kids who are deciding about their future. Something about this irks me especially having watched ESPNU's coverage most of the day. I realize a lot of these kids are very good and will be good additions to the school's they choose. My problem is the way this is being done and the networks feeding into their egos. One of the players wore a hat that said "Nick Who." Really, these kids don't need the pomp and circumstance. Sign your LOI and fax it in without the rest of us watching. Make your impact on the field and then we'll cover you in the media. Until then, you are just another player going to just another school.

The festivities made me wonder about other things that I'd like to announce and how I could spice it up. What if I went to a bar, stood on a barstool there and pulled out the picture of a woman there that I'd like to go out with? When I'm done, the next guy can do so as well. It's National Dating Intention Day. On a smaller scale, the man or woman of the house can stand in front of the family and declare what's for dinner that evening. They pull out a steak or chicken from a paper bag and declares it's Steak Day! Another declaration that could be made is the official team of choice. When a child turns five, he is able to stand up at his birthday party and declare which sports team he will officially throw his allegiance to. He can put a bunch of memorabilia on a table to make us think he's going to go one way when he's really going another. Finally, we could have a guy stand up in his house and declare that he's not paying this bill anymore. The problem with this one is that there's consequences with it.

I'm trying to use some humor in my column because my picks have been in the dumps as of late. The problem is that I'm in no man's land. I've shown flashes of brilliance in handicapping, but currently I'm mired in a slump. It happens in the world of gambling. When someone gets cold, you can use their picks for fade material. Anyways, we're going to give a few totals including one for a game that could be real fun to watch....if it was on TV.

South Alabama/Western Kentucky Over 143.5 -- South Alabama hits the road after going thru a stretch of four home games in five. They'll take on Western Kentucky on Thursday night. The Jaguars started a stretch of 70 points or more with the Hilltoppers on January 20th losing 84-75 at home. South Alabama doesn't mind running with it's opponents doing so in their last four. They average 70.9 points per game while giving up 72.2. Martino Brock (14.8 ppg), Tim Williams (13.3 ppg) and Augustine Rubit (12.7 ppg) are the Jags main threats with two other players averaging at least eight points per game. Much like their opponent, Western Kentucky also allows 72.2 points per game. They score 70.3 and rely on Sergio Kerusch (15.9 ppg), Steffphon Pettigrew (13.6 ppg) and Juan Patillo (14.1 ppg). This team has played just seven home games where they average 73.1 points per game. That goes well against South Alabama who gives up 76.3 points per game on the road. This one should be a shootout. The Hilltoopers have shot 50% or better in two straight against South Alabama.

FIU/Troy Over 154.5 -- “I think it’s going to be one of the highest-scoring games in the league.” That's a quote from Troy's head coach referring to Thursday night's contest between FIU and Troy. The two schools are the 2nd and 3rd best scoring teams in the conference while inhabiting the bottom two spots in scoring defense. The Golden Panthers have scored 70 or more in every game since December 18th. They come at you in many ways with DeJuan Wright (14.7 ppg), Eric Frederick (13.9 ppg), Alex Legion (13 ppg), Marvin Roberts (11.4 ppg) and Phil Gary (10 ppg). Legion is questionable for the contest due to some disciplinary issues. Troy allows nearly 80 points per contest. They turn to Vernon Taylor (15.2 ppg), Will Weathers (13.1 ppg) and Bernard Toombs (10 ppg) along with three others averaging at least eight points for scoring. The Trojans have scored at least 70 in four straight and five of their last six home games. These two have combined to go over in 20 of 28 games. Last year Troy won at home 81-78 and at FIU 84-68 so we think this number may not be high enough.

Notre Dame/DePaul Over 142.5 -- It's been a real struggle for DePaul this season as they look for their first conference win of the season. The Blue Demons get another shot on Thursday when they host Notre Dame. The biggest issue for them is defense as they've given up at least 70 points to all but one Big East opponent. DePaul hasn't scored enough to be allowing 70-80 points per contest. They have the 140th ranked defense allowing nearly 75 per game. DePaul has a few scorers in Cleveland Melvin (14.5 ppg), Brandon Young (11.7 ppg) and Tony Freeland (10.7 ppg). They'll face a Fighting Irish team that loves to score. They are putting up almost 75 per contest. Ben Hansbrough (16.5 ppg), Tim Abromaitis (14.2 ppg) and Carleton Scott (11.7 ppg) lead the way. Notre Dame has won three straight contests after losing two in a row to Marquette and St. John's. ND is all over the map with regards to scoring. They have put up 76 and 73 against UConn and St. Johns, but have also been held to 54 and 56 by St. John's and Pittsburgh. We feel like the Irish should be able to score at will on DePaul. Last year, Notre Dame defeated DePaul 87-77. Eight of their last 12 meetings have gone over the total.

South Alabama Still Undefeated

And, yes, the HQ knows the parameters of their undefeatedness...

But, hey, undefeated is still undefeated...
This time it was a 56-0 win at Ladd-Peebles againsat Pikeville College. And once again, yes, Pikeville is the NAIA outfit from Kentucky that your Shorter University Hawks play on a yearly basis.

The Jags' defense only surrendered 88 total yards to the Bears. They have a week off before as home game with Nicholls State in Mobile.

Local15's Clement Townsend has your story standing on the field before the game was officially over...
((HT: WPMI-TV Mobile/Pensacola))

Wittels Streak Hits 51

Florida International's Garrett Wittels hit streak is now at 51.

He singled in the first inning off South Alabama's Garrett Harris Friday, moving within seven games of matching Robin Ventura for the NCAA Division I record.

The four-letter's Michelle Bonner talked to the man at the top of the ladder, Robin Ventura...
((HT: ESPN/Sun Belt Conference/JumpTV))

TWTW: South Alabama Ends Season 7-0

OSG adoptee South Alabama ended their football season with a 35-0 over Huntingdon College at Ladd Peebles Stadium.

The Jags end the 2009 season 7-0.
Brandon Ross scored 2 touchdowns and Samtuan McGee scored 3 touchdowns...

And there's your 35 points...

Here's your highlights and post of Head Coach Joey Jones
((HT: WKRG-TV))

WKRG.com News

Not that any of us at OSG HQ had any doubts about the whole "successful season" thing...

TWTW: OSG Adoptee Update- ODU Now 8-2, USA Still Undefeated

((HT: WAVY-TV))



Thomas DeMarco rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns, and threw for another one, to lead Old Dominion to a 42-28 victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday.

ODU is now 8-2...


WKRG.com News

The University of South Alabama heads into their last game of the year after a 64-12 win over something called Milford Academy.

USA racked up 375 yards on the ground while holding Milford to just 35.

Their last game is Thursday as Huntington travels down from Montgomery...

See...???
We told you we knew how to pick 'em...

South Alabama Continues JV Roll Over GMC

((HT: WKRG-TV))

OSG Sports adoptee South Alabama continued their winning ways Saturday with another home game. This time it was GMC's JV squad that lost 31-3 at Ladd-Peebles...

They scored 2 defensive TDs and the running of Brandon Ross in front of an announced crowd of over 17,000.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Jaguars took control in the second with a pair of touchdowns. First, a 7 yard run by Brandon Ross, then a 26 yard interception return for a TD by defensive back Zach Brownell. The INT was one of three on the day by Brownell.

Clifton Crews contributed to the scoring with a 10 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the third quarter.

The Jaguars are now 3-and-0 in their first season. They'll go for win number 4 next Saturday (Oct. 17) at 4:00pm at Ladd-Peebles against Louisburg Junior College out of North Carolina.

Here's your highlights and over-modulated post, thanks to our friends at WKRG-TV

WKRG.com News

TWTW: USA Ready For Army Prep, Wins 56-0

((HT: WKRG-TV/Mobile))

In just their second official game, the University of South Alabama scored early and often, beating the Black Knights of Army Prep 56-0 in front of a crowd of 17,000 in a sometimes soggy Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

The Jags set the tone early with as Quarterback Myles Gibbon hooked up with Courtney Smith for a 63 yard touchdown on USA's first play from scrimmage.

Running back Ryan Scott ran for 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Jags racked up 309 yards rushing on the day.

Gibbons completed 6 of 7 passes for 122 yards and 2 scores. Backup QBs Brennan Sim and Nick Owens also saw action.

USA's defense held the Black Knights to just 225 yards of total offense.

In 2 weeks, South Alabama will go for their 3rd win against Georgia Military.
Here's highlights from our friends at WKRG-TV

WKRG.com News

South Alabama Wins First-Game Ever

((HT: WKRG-TV/Mobile))

RB Brandon Ross ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns as the South Alabama Football Jaguars beat Hargrave Military Academy 30-13. WR Courtney Smith goes down in the history books for scoring the Jag's first points: a 60 touchdown reception from QB Myles Gibbons.

South Alabama's defense gave up just 106 yards rushing while recording 5 quarterback sacks.

You can find the game's official stats here.

The Jags return to action September 26th at Ladd-Peebles when they take on Army Prep.

Thanks to our friends at WKRG-TV for the wrap-up...
WKRG.com News

South Alabama Prepares For First Ever Football Game

((HT: WKRG-TV/Randy Patrick))

The USA jaguars prep for their first ever game Saturday against Hargrave Military Academy... Yes, we know... it's JV versus JV, but it's football...

Here's their last day of practice and stuff...
Good luck...

WKRG.com News

Your National Signing Day Wrap-Up

Those of us here at OSG HQ know that "National Signing Day" is a national holiday on a lot of different levels. We've seen hoardes ((and, yes, that is how you spell it)) of people congregated inside athletic buildings waiting to see what High School Draft Day is all about.

We've seen people worried that an 18-year-old's 40 time has gained two-tenths of a second for no real reason other than "not working out eight days a week like he should."

We know, inside the HQ, what the high schoolers have done in high school. No one knows what high schoolers can do in college- unless they have those books like Biff Tannen discovered in "Back To The Future III."

Here's your national update in compare/contrast form in black...

Looks like "those who know" are in no order- LSU, Alabama, Ohio State, USC, and Texas...

Here are a couple of upstart, first-year programs and what their first day was like...

Georgia State University- Head Coach: Bill Curry

Nice gets with Drew Little at QB ((Henry County High)), KJ Morton ((Warner Robins)) and Tyler Blackwell ((Cartersville)) in the secondary, and Justin Orr ((Camden County High)) at LB. They signed 26 on Day One.

University of South Alabama- Head Coach: Joey Jones

Logan Bennett and Montavious Williams are from state champ Cairo and Head Coach Tom Fallaw's Syrupmakers- no lie... two defensive studs in triple-A. Clifton Crews adds linebacker help from Jonesboro High. They even got a QB from Canada. The Jags got 31.

Our Shorter Hawks added 15- Head Coach: Phil Jones

Getting anyone from Buford High, a state champ, is a good pull. Drew Dasher, an offensive lineman, will add depth. Two more linemen from nearby Pepperell High, Matt Kelley and Michael Ozment will do more of the same.

May your school have accomplished what you thought they were going to on this day of days.

Let the race begin...