The March Through The Madness: Day Two Recap

Texas survives as Oakland's losing number ((four)) disturbed a lot of the prop bets on the board... here's Rick Barnes...
((HT: KVUE-TV Austin))


Michigan, probably, put Tennessee fans out of their misery with a 30-point blowout of the Vols. The HQ would only hope AD Mike Hamilton would be closely behind...
((HT: WBIR-TV Knoxville))


The HQ is fairly certain that VCU head coach Shaka Smart got Jay Bilas to watch the upset of Georgetown- especially, when you hit 12 3's in the game as a team...
Brandon Rozzell had half of them...
Here's some postgame...
((HT: FoxSports))


UGA missed a game-tying three at the buzzer and Washington moves on to Face North Carolina. The Tarheels took care of a pesky LIU-Brooklyn squad...
((HT: KING5- Seattle))


All the tournament Buzz goes to Marquette with their upset of Xavier...
Here's the Marquette head coach...
((HT: FoxSports))


And Memphis fans feel jobbed about the Arizona loss... they met the team at the airport...
((HT: MyFoxMemphis))

Tiger Fans Feel Shafted By Arizona Loss: MyFoxMEMPHIS.com

The Politics Of Dancing: Wazzu, Alabama State, and Princeton

All the HQ has to say about the end of the Pac-10 title game...???

Cold... blooded...

And you know that means it's just Gus...
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA/youtube))


Douglas Davis' buzzer-beater gives it to Princeton and denies Harvard for the 428th consecutive year from going into the tourney...
((HT: ESPN/NCAA/youtube))


Alabama State beat Grambling for the SWAC bid...
Here's some postgame...
((HT: SWACtube))

Broseph's Bits And The Tuesday Gospel

The real conference tournaments kick off this week as teams make their last second push to glory and a chance to be one of 68 in the NCAA tournament or one of seemingly hundreds who will play in a tournament that only gamblers will care about. With that, let's take a look and see who is going to make some noise.

ACC (3/10 - 3/13) -- It's a down year for the conference despite what their fans want to tell you. North Carolina and Duke are the cream of the crop with Florida State being the 3rd seed by default. They are a shell of themselves without Chris Singleton. It would be a major upset if Carolina and Duke didn't meet again this season for the 3rd time in the title game. If you are looking for a sleeper, it could be the winner of UVA and Miami. The Hoos grind it out and force you to play at a pace you just aren't used to while the Canes are the head scratching team with a ton of talent that just hasn't been put together. CHAMPION: North Carolina

Atlantic 10 (3/8 - 3/13) -- This is a conference that always seems to have upsets and intrigue. Xavier and Temple are the cream of the crop and definite tournament teams. The Spiders have the talent to knock off anyone in the conference. The Musketeers haven't exactly treated the tournament as life or death and that strategy has paid off in the NCAA Tournament. Temple should heed that and look to bow out gracefully as the Owls don't have the depth they had in past years. If Richmond can get past Rhode Island, a team they lost to at home this season, the Spiders will be your conference champion. CHAMP: Richmond

Big 12 (3/9 - 3/12) -- Plenty of intrigue with Texas sliding and Kansas State seemingly hitting their stride. The Wildcats are a dangerous team and a quarterfinal matchup against the Jayhawks will light up the Sprint Center. On the other half of the bracket, Baylor and Missouri will present problems for the two and three seeded squads from Texas. This conference is a tough one to call so I'm going to go chalk and take the Jayhawks. Their road isn't tough until the title game. CHAMP: Kansas

Big East (3/8 - 3/12) -- The best tournament in America gets underway this week in the historic Madison Square Garden. This one is WIDE open with a whole host of teams who could take it. We've seen the squads with the double bye fail last season so those teams aren't a guarantee to take it. The best matchup could be the eventual 4/5 game with St. Johns looking to wrest away the title "New York's team" from Syracuse. Ninth seeded UConn would win a lot of conferences, but they are playing in the first round in this monster. I don't think the double byes will be an issue this year. CHAMP: Pittsburgh

Big 10 (3/10 - 3/13) -- Yawn. I'll admit it...this conference is about as intriguing as paint drying in my eyes. I keep waiting for Michigan State to wake up and play like Tom Izzo teams do. They'll have to roll thru Iowa, Purdue and Wisconsin before getting to the title game. I don't see much intrigue out of this conference. Give me the chalk. CHAMP: Ohio State

Conference USA (3/9 - 3/12) -- This one is on UTEP's campus as the Miners get the benefit that Memphis had all those years it was in their town. The one seed is UAB. This conference is a one big league barring one of the bubble teams making an uber run. Remember UCF? Yeah, they fell down big time after their undefeated start. Homecourt rules in this one. CHAMP: UTEP

MAC Conference (3/8 - 3/12) -- Some may be asking why this is here. This conference has always provided excitement and fun as the teams battle on campus sites and then Cleveland. Kent State is the class of the conference, but Ohio may be the hottest team in there. Buffalo is about as dangerous an eight seed as there is in ANY conference in the country. They've had some good wins this season and could upset Kent State in the second round. We're going to take the team playing some of the best basketball right now. CHAMP: Ohio

Mountain West Conference: (3/8 - 3/12) -- It's Jimmer's world vs. UNLV's home court. This tournament will be intriguing to see if BYU can handle the step up in talent without Brandon Davies. UNLV gets a tough first matchup with Air Force who makes you work for every basket and takes time running their offense. Should they win that, they'll most likely face the Aztecs and their balanced attack. This is an underrated conference with Jimmer vs. the Running Rebs my final. CHAMP: UNLV

PAC-10 (3/9 - 3/12) -- The Staples Center will host this spectacular tournament as the PAC 10 tries to get more teams into the tournament. Washington and USC are on the bubble as well as UCLA. Arizona held on for dear life at home against the Huskies. U-Dub has way too much talent, but a first matchup with Wazzu could prevent any sort of run and a postseason bid. Still, I think Washington puts it together and gets help from USC who will knock off Arizona. CHAMP: Washington

SEC (3/10 - 3/13) -- Underwhelming. Outside of Florida and Kentucky, this conference has a lot of teams that you can mix and match. The one squad to keep a look out for is Mississippi State who has been a thru a ton with the problems of talented Renardo Sidney and Ravern Johnson. Still, when they want to play, they are going to beat a lot of teams. Mississippi State may have the most talent outside of UK and Florida. Tennessee and Georgia are also intriguing if they get past their first round matchups. Who knows what Volunteers team will show up on a day-to-day basis. CHAMP: Mississippi State

Broseph's Bits And The Saturday Gospel

There's something almost magical about the words "Pitchers and Catchers report." I purchased my first baseball magazine today and opening it's pages almost opened me up to sunshine, sand and beautiful weather. Spring training is almost upon us and with that the hopes and dreams of all the major league fanbases that they could be the team to shock the world and make the playoffs. Granted for some that's a little more realistic then others, but on this day everyone's got a shot.

I'm a Marlins fan. I know that it doesn't fit with me being from Philadelphia, but I just never got into the Phillies. Most would say that's a poor move on my part, but I like being a fan of the Fish. I'll wait while you insert an attendance/fanbase joke. I've heard them all. Anyways, Florida's chances are as good as the Yankees or the Phillies right now because everyone's 0-0.

I'm done waxing poetic...here are the picks

Michigan/Indiana Over 130 -- The Wolverines enter Saturday's game with Indiana winners of four of their last five. Michigan has done it with offense at home putting up 87 on Iowa and 75 on Northwestern. This is a team that doesn't mind running a bit at home. They have also scored 76 on Penn State and 75 on Utah. Overall, they are scoring 66.8 points per game, but takes into account their poor play away from home. Darius Morris (15.4 ppg) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (12.2 ppg) lead the way offensively. Michigan has gone over in seven of their 11 lined home games this season. That stat goes nicely with the six overs in eight road games for the Hoosiers. Indiana has given up nearly 79 points per game away from the confines of their arena. They are led by Verdell Jones III (12.2 ppg) and Jordan Hulls (11.3 ppg). Outside of a 53 point performance last time out in Purdue, the Hoosiers have scored at least 60 in every game away from home. Indiana won the first meeting between the two on January 15th 80-61. This game should be around that total this time as well.

Brigham Young -20 -- Jimmer Fredette and BYU look to improve on their 104-79 win over Utah in the first meeting between the two teams. Fredette put up 47 points as the Cougars shot 47% from the field in this blow out win. As a matter of fact, the BYU starting five put up 102 of the 104 points in the game. The Utes are coming off a 32 point loss at San Diego State where they scored only 53 points. Utah has failed to score more then 55 points in their last three games. The road has been unkind at times to the Utes who lost by 13 at Hawaii, 13 at UNLV and 17 at Utah State. The team is allowing over 70 points per contest which doesn't bode well against BYU who is putting them up in bunches. The Cougars average almost 84 points per contest and have failed to score 70 or more once when they put up 69 in Wyoming. BYU has beaten almost every one of their opponents at home by double digits. This one shouldn't be pretty at all.

Washington -15.5 -- Washington got real healthy against California on Thursday night. Now they'll welcome Stanford to town. The Huskies continue to roll offensively putting up almost 86 points per game. Washington put up 109 against the Golden Bears last time out. We've given you the stats on the home domination for U-Dub. They don't mess around at all. This team will also have revenge on their mind as they somehow lost 58-56 to the Cardinal on the road on January 13th. Sure, Stanford got a win over Washington State last time out, but that performance hasn't been the road norm. The team has lost five games by double digits away from home. This one has blowout written all over it and if the Cardinal aren't careful, Washington may put up 100 or more on them too.

Broseph's Bits And The Thursday Gospel

It was a rare 0-3 night for the gospel. That's the problem with betting games that have big point spreads. Kent State and Missouri State both won and while their fanbases are happy, those who backed the team in the financial matter didn't share those same feelings. It's ironic really if you think about it. Gamblers go from team to team, game to game changing their rooting interests. It's almost as bad as those Dallas Cowboys fans who couldn't pick out the state of Texas on a map.

The true sports gambler has no favorite teams...only ones that make him money and ones that he fades on a regular basis. It's a difficult life to lead as often it leads to wild mood swings and frequent cursing. Ironically, I'll continue to fade Bradley despite the fact that they've seemingly figured things out. It's the stubborn nature of the gambler. He believes 85% of the time that he's on the right side and the wrong result happened. I'd like to say that I fit in that category, but not at the 85% level. Maybe it's more like 45% of the time that I think I made the right wager and the wrong thing happened. I may be betting on Washington and Washington State tonight, but Saturday I could be on their opponents. It's all about the matchups and all about the gut feelings I get.

With that, let's see where my money is going on Thursday:

Western Kentucky -5 -- The Hilltoppers welcome the Blue Raiders to town. MTSU is 12-12, 7-4 in the Sun Belt. They score 70.5 points per game while giving up 68.8. The team has gone 2-3 in conference on the road losing at South Alabama, Arkansas State and Florida Atlantic. MTSU is on a three game win streak, but they are running into a hot Western Kentucky team. They are led by James Washington III (13.9 ppg) and Jason Jones (13.2 ppg). The Hilltoppers have bounced back from a very slow start to the season. Their problem is defense where they allow 72 points per contest. Sergio Kerusch (16 ppg), Juan Pattillo (14.3 ppg) and Steffphon Pettigrew (13.9 ppg) lead the way for WKU. Western Kentucky has won five of their last six after losing 11 of their first 16 games. The team lost at home two games ago, but bounced back with a 20 point win over Louisiana Monroe on February 5th. The team preached more energy and focus at home. This is a better team who may be hitting their stride at the right time.

Washington -13.5 -- The Huskies will be so glad to be home on Thursday when they host California. Washington has lost three straight all away from their own building. They fell at Washington State, Oregon State and Oregon during the three game trip. At home, Washington is a completely different team having won each game there by double digits. Ironically, they beat California 92-71 at their place on January 16th. The Huskies have not won a game at home by less then 10 points at all this season. They are led by Isaiah Thomas (16.5 ppg), Matthew Bryan-Amaning (15.7 ppg) and Justin Holiday (12.5 ppg) on offense. Washington is scoring almost 85 points per game. California's problems reside on the defensive end as they allow over 70 points per game. They do have multiple scorers on offense, but lack the veterans who can handle the tough environment they'll see. Cal has won at Arizona State and USC. They've also lost by 14 to woeful Stanford. The Huskies have covered in six of their nine games as a home favorite of 12.5 points or more this season. We think they'll do so again.

Washington State -8 -- Stanford will play the Washington road portion of their PAC 10 conference schedule. The Cardinal are 12-10, 5-6 in the conference. They score only 64.6 points per game while giving up 62.1. Jeremy Green (14.9 ppg) and Josh Owens (11.8 ppg) lead the way offensively. They lost to Wazzu at home 61-58 on January 15th. The road has been unkind too as they've lost their last three by 10 points or more to Arizona, USC and UCLA. This is the team that also lost to Butler by 33 on the road as well. The Cougars are a different team at home. They've beaten Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona State by double digits there while knocking off the Huskies 87-80. Wazzu's big three is Klay Thompson (21.2 ppg), Faisal Aden (13.6 ppg) and DeAngelo Casto (10.6 ppg). They've covered seven of their 11 home games this season and 10 of their 14 games as a favorite. We like both of those trends to continue.

U-Dub Player Accused Of Raping Teenager

((HT: KING-TV Seattle))

Seattle Police sources are confirming that a prominent University of Washington men’s basketball player is under criminal investigation, after a 16-year-old girl claimed the player raped her.

“I don’t have any comment,” said Washington Head Coach Lorenzo Romar as he left a function Monday night, noting he is “aware” of the situation.

The university acknowledges that they are aware of the investigation by the Seattle police, but declined any more comments. In a statement, the university said "Neither department officials, nor members of the UW men's basketball coaching staff or team will comment on the matter at (Tuesday's) open media session."

No one has been charged with a crime and it is not known if the player in question has been interviewed by police.

Here's how KING5 is reporting the story...

MASCOT FAIL: Oregon Duck Turns Into "Doink The Clown"

((HT: ESPN on ABC/Youtube))

Either a "mascot fail" or a "kicker hero..."
We haven't decided yet...

Washington kicker Erik Folk has him some damn good aim...
Either that, or he just didn't care, got the three points, and the Oregon Duck mascot was collateral damage...

Here's the evidence...
Enjoy...

TWTW: Record Oregon Crowd Sees Ducks Take Huskies

((HT: KVAL-TV Eugene))

This game was actually scoreless after a quarter, leaving the Oregon faithful scratching their collective heads fer sure...

But business picked up and Oregon won 53-16...

Darron Thomas threw for a touchdown and ran for two more, and LaMichael James ran for 121 yards and three more scores. This is the first time the University of Oregon Ducks team has gone 9-0 in program history.

The announced crowd was 60,017- the largest ever at Autzen Stadium...

Bully for them... and don't think people won't be asking for that first quarter game film for the rest of the year, either...

Nick Krupke stands indoors in front of a monitor for the highlights...

TWTW: Sark Takes Out Kiffykins On Last Second FG, 32-31

((HT: ESPN2/Youtube))

Washington QB Jake Locker engineered a last-minute drive to set up Erik Folk's 32-yard field goal as time expired, and Washington upset the 18th-ranked Trojans 32-31 beating USC on a last-minute field goal for the second straight season.

"It feels awesome to have the team compete like that for four quarters and then win it in the end," said Locker. "The reason I stuck around was to play for this team and these guys."

Folk's kick was the Huskies' first win at the Coliseum since 1996, and the Trojans had won 47 of 48 games there before losing three of their last five.

Here's the end of the game...


And here's your Sark post...

So Much For That "Locker For Heisman" Talk

((HT: KOLN/KGIN-TV Lincoln))

Taylor Martinez ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns, threw for another 150 yards and a score and Nebraska blew out Washington 56-21.

Roy Helu, Jr. added 110 yards and two touchdown runs of 65 and 8 yards. The Cornhuskers ran for 383 yards total.

Nebraska, now 3-0, led 28-14 at halftime before Martinez took the first play of the second half 80 yards for his second score. Washington never got closer than 14 points in a wild second half. The 56 points tied the most ever allowed by Washington at home

Dan Hedman of 10-11 Sports and 10-11Now.com has the highlights...


The HQ would like to send special shout-out type stuff to Alphonso Dennard representing Rochelle and Wilcox County proud...

Oh, Jake Locker...??? 4-for-20 on the day...

Derrick Roland= Joe Theismann...???

((HT: FS Houston))

This is not pretty under any circumstance...

The 22nd-ranked Washington Huskies beat Number 19 Texas A&M 73-64 on Tuesday night. But the biggest event that may have turned the game U-Dub's way is below...

Derrick Roland is the second-leading scorer for the Aggies. He went up for a rebound, planted, and snapped his right leg just below the kneecap...

Coach Mark Turgeon didn't care that play was still going on- he knew what happened immediately. Leading scorer Donald Sloan, who is really tight with Roland, was visibly shaken...

Barry Tompkins has the call...


Andy Katz, over at the four-letter, reveals that Roland suffered a tib-fib fracture and is pretty much done in college. Coach Turgeon tells Katz that they're trying to fly family up from Dallas, but it's difficult because of the holiday.

"It's tough to leave a player," Turgeon said. "We're trying to get his family here as quickly as possible, but it's not easy with Christmas and flights being sold out."

Other Aggie players and staff are staying with Roland in Washington until family arrives.

"Derrick was the heart and soul of this team," Turgeon told Katz. "Everyone is devastated. Our guys had their eyes swollen in the last five minutes of the game. They were crying during the game. They never came out of it."

College Basketball 09-10: Pac-10 Conference

Those of us at the OSG HQ stay up late at night to catch Pac-10 basketball and it’s always worth it. This year the Pac-10 will initially suffer from a lack of star power as the league saw some of its stars move on. New stars will emerge. Let’s see how the influx of young talent plays out. I willing to bet the Pac-10 will stay near the top of the major conferences.

BEST TEAM IN THE PAC-10 – WASHINGTON

Yeah I know, California is the chic pick and the Bears will be right on the Huskies hind legs but Washington seems to have it going in Seattle. The Huskies backcourt looks great with Isiah Thomas filling the hoop and big time newcomer Abdul Gaddy in the mix. Washington’s backcourt was pretty good last season and even with the loss of Justin Dentmon the Huskies just might be better. Forward Quincy Pondexter is taking on the go-to guy role for the Huskies this season. Pondexter was brilliant during the Huskies post-season run.

Yes their will be some growing pains but that is what November and December are for. Come January the Huskies will be ready to defend their Pac-10 championship.

BEST PLAYER IN THE PAC-10 – Jerome Randle – California

Let’s make one thing clear, Randle can flat out shoot the ball. His numbers last season were off the charts. 50 percent from the field, 46 percent from the land of the 3’s, 86 percent for the foul line, unreal. Randle is quicker than quick and almost impossible to defend. Randle is the real deal. Enjoy him this year Cal Bear fans.

OSG Pac-10 Predictions

Washington
California
UCLA
Arizona
Oregon State
Oregon
Arizona State
Washington State
USC
Stanford

Photo Courtesy: goldenbearsports.com

15 Years Later: Oregon's Pick Of Huard Still Fresh

((HT: KVAL-TV/Eugene))

It really has been 15 years dince the interception Damon Huard threw to Oregon freshman Kenny Wheaton. It sealed the Ducks' 31-20 upset over the 9th-ranked Huskies at Autzen Stadium, and helped propel Oregon to a Pac-10 Championship and a Rose Bowl berth.

Tom Ward of KVAL caught up with both of them...
Cool stuff... KVAL views this as their "Game of the 1990s"

Great Finish In Seattle: U-Dub Defeats Arizona By A Shoestring

A bizarre finish last night in Seattle. The Arizona Wildcats had a comfortable 33-21 lead on the Washington Huskies late in the 4th quarter when Jake Locker found Kavario Middleton for a 25 yard touchdown pass. to cut the Wildcat lead 33-28.

Then the bizarre happened. Arizona got the ball back but Nick Foles pass went off the foot of receiver Delashaun Dean and intercepted by U-Dub's Mason Foster who took it to the house.

Here are the highlights from FOXSPORTS.COM.

Check out post game sound with Jake Locker and Mason Foster from KING5 in Seattle.

"I just wanted to make sure when Mason caught it that he ran and didn't look around and then get caught and get tackled." Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "I saw it right away. I had a great view of it."

Arizona head coach Mike Stoops chalked it up to a weird play.

"It's a run. Something that we were doing all night." Stoops said. "It's an either/or play, like everybody. He's doing what he's supposed to do. That's our fault for leaving the option for him to do that. That falls on me and our coaches. It's disappointing. It's just a freak play."

Photo Courtesy: AP Photo/John Froschauer

TWTW: Clausen Outlasts Locker, Irish Win In OT

((HT: WNDU-TV/South Bend))

The cardiac kids did it again.

Robert Hughes scored a touchdown in overtime, and Harrison Smith and Kyle McCarthy laid out Washington's D'Andre Goodwin on 4th and 20 as Notre Dame defeated the Huskies 37-30 at the Stadium in yet another thriller for the Irish.

It was the 4th straight wild down to-the-wire finish for Notre Dame, and their third straight victory.

Notre Dame is now 4-1 and is on the bye next week before hosting USC on October 17th.

Angelo DiCarlo from NBC16 has your highlights from the field...
He even wore a headset so he could hear...


Here's the hit on Gooodwin... he was out before he hit the ground...

TWTW: What In The Hell Is Going On In Washington...??? Or: "Clear Is Folk...?"

((HT: KOMO-TV))

Erik Folk kicked a 22-yard field goal with 3 seconds remaining and the Huskies' fired-up defense stymied fill-in quarterback Aaron Corp and No. 3 USC in a 16-13 victory Saturday.

It was the first time the Trojans have lost to the UW Huskies since 2001 - and the first time UW has beat the Trojans at Husky Stadium since 1996.

It was Washington quarterback Jake Locker's time to shine and the Huskies' turn pull out a win that will stand among the most memorable in the once-proud program's history. Locker drove the Huskies 63 yards on 10 plays to set up the winning kick.

USC (2-1, 0-1 Pac-10) was nearly a three-touchdown favorite. Washington (2-1, 1-0) came in riding a 10-game losing streak in Pac-10 games and had broken a 15-game overall skid last week against Idaho.

But again the Trojans were toppled by a team that seemed to be no match for all their blue chip recruits and future NFL draft picks. USC has now lost to an unranked team each of the last four seasons.

Here's Sark's post-game thanks to our friends at KOMO

And Wazzu beat SMU...???
Whasupwidat???!!!

Nico Grasu kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime as Washington State came back from a 17-point deficit to beat Southern Methodist 30-27 on Saturday for its first win of the season.The Mustangs (2-1) had the first drive of overtime. But Bo Levi Mitchell threw deep into the end zone on the first play and was picked off by Chima Nwachukwu. It was Washington State's fourth interception of the game.

The Cougars (1-2) took over on the 25 and gained just three yards on three plays before Grasu's game winner. Earlier in the game he missed a 39-yard field goal.

It was the first time Washington State had led all season.

What is this world coming to...???
By the way, if you listened to the OSG C/PC College Football Preview, we kinda called that...

Sarkisian Offered U-Dub Job

Multiple sources are reporting that the University of Washington has chosen their new Head Coach, but he hasn't chosen them yet...

It's USC Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian ((pictured, thanks KIRO-TV))

If he accepts the offer,no announcement will be made until after the USC-UCLA game Saturday in Los Angeles.

UW Athletic Director Steve Woodward was asked about the progress of the coaching search at a Washington-Oklahoma State basketball game earlier Thursday.

Molly Yanity and Dan Raley report the following from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

Woodward was asked by the Seattle P-I about supposedly sending text messages to potential recruits that said "We have a new coach," and he responded adamantly, "That's not true."

Once inside the media workroom and surrounded by reporters, Woodward said, "We do not have an announcement to make. We're not going to talk about it until I have something to talk about."

Asked specifically about ESPN's unattributed crawl report that Sarkisian had been hired, Woodward responded coyly, "I haven't seen it."

Pressed further about the stated or reported withdrawals earlier in the day of two candidates -- Texas Tech's Mike Leach and Fresno State's Pat Hill -- which would appear to indicate a UW coach had been hired, Woodward again teased, saying, "That's a good observation."

The new AD took a few more questions, refusing to offer anything of substantive use, saying, "We'll see when the announcement comes. Stay tuned. Thanks guys. Sorry. We will make the announcement at the proper time."

Sarkisian met with reporters to talk about the UCLA game and deflected any talk of the job opening in Seattle- maintaining his focus was the game with the Bruins.

Dirty Dozen (The Conference Champs Edition)

D-Day has Arrived (no, not the guy from Animal House!)

We've finally hit the end of the road, the last week of weeks, the time where conference titles are decided (at least by the ones who want extra money). All who are playing should be happy...except for Texas.

There really are some good games ahead and there usually is at least one that doesn't turn out the way that it should. Last Week: Another perfect week, 11-0 and that makes the tally 78-17, maybe I should start gambling eh?

The Dozen:

1. Alabama (They get this by virtue of surviving undefeated. That however may change soon. I don't think any of the pipe dreamers in Tuscaloosa ever thought they'd be in this position this year...but they are. This Week: The SEC Championship. Florida 31, Alabama 21)

2. Florida (It really, really pains me to say it, but they've been the best team in College Football the past 6 weeks. Really...they have. I can't believe I'm going to pick them to win this week...but. This Week: See above)

3. Texas (They deserve this spot...but alas...they aren't playing this week. Wouldn't it be funny if everyone else loses either this week or in their bowl and these guys end up with the title? Just wonderin'. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

4. Oklahomer (Okay, so they killed the Mike Gundy's...and well...they killed Texas Tech...and well...just about everyone but Texas. Does this make them better than Texas? That is a deeper and longer arguement than I'm willing to get into here. This Week: The Big 12 Championship. Oklahoma 47, Missouri 33)

5. USC (Congratulations Pete Carroll. Oregano State did you a favor and now you are in the Rose Bowl. Hooray for you! You're still the Big Fish in a pretty small PAC 10 pond out there. Enjoy the Roses' we'll see you next year. This Week: USC Red 45, UCLA Blue...very Blue 13)

6. Utah (I like these guys more every week. They are a good story and I'm glad that they will be in the BCS Spotlight. We need more stories like this. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite (probably Sugar))

7. State Penn (Kudos to the Fighting Joe Pa's. They had a pretty good "On-the Field Year". They are going to the Rose Bowl and might actually give USC a decent game. We will see. This Week: Waiting for the Rose Bowl)

8. Boise State (They deserve this for going undefeated. They are worthy of a BCS invite, but sadly, I don't think it will come. They will get politicked and can't do anything about it. They are a prime example of how the BCS is rigged for the "Big" Schools. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

9. Texas Tech (Good team, not a great team. Let's see if Mike Leach actually makes it to the Bowl Game as their Coach. Smart money says "NO". This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

10. Ball State (Again, Mad Props for going undefeated. They deserve a shot that they won't get. Maybe they'd get killed, but...Hopefully they'll get a decent bowl game and a nice donation from their most famous Alum. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

**note from author who is a dumbass!!! This Week: MAC Championship. Ball St. 31, Buffalo 27** (12-5 9:54am)

11. Ohio State (I'm just going to say it. Why? They always go at least 10-2. They always finish in the top 2 in their conference and they always lose to an SEC team in a bowl game. It's what they do. It's why I don't like their conference. They still think football revolves around them...it hasn't for the past...oh 20 years. This Week: Wating for Bowl Invite)

12. Georgia Tech (I saw these guys the past 2 weeks and when they are on, they are pretty good. I wouldn't want to be playing them on short notice. Jonathan Dwyer is the best running back you've never heard of, you'll hear of him next year. This Week: Accepted Peach Fil-A Bowl Bid)

The Top Turkeys, Bottom of the Barrel:

5. Meech-i-gin (Awww. Sucks to be the Maize and Blue. Tough year. But it had to happen sometime, reality hit here harder than almost anywhere. Maybe Coach Rodriguez can bring them into the 21st Century. Time will tell. This Year: 3-9)

4. Iowa State (Strangely enough, they started 2-0, then lost the next, oh...10 straight. Not exactly a strong finish...unless you want a spot in this part of the poll. This Year: 2-10)

3. Shmoo! (This was a bad team from day 1. Has anyone told June Jones, sometimes more money isn't worth it? Just sayin'. This Year: 1-11)

2. Washed State (Good thing they beat Washington. Words can't describe how bad the "Crapple Cup" game was. The best part is that it is over. This Year 2-10)

1. Washington (Arrivaderci Ty Willingham. Here is my question...why would any of the "Big Name" coaches take this job? They are going to suck for a while no matter who is here. This Year: The Undisputed Champ 0-12)

And so goes another College Football Season. Strange and unpredictable just like every other year. We will back with a bowl game edition as soon as we get the list of 812 Bowl Games and the teams playing in them.

Mike Leach Passing Through Seattle

Things might be heating up in the coaching search at the University of Washington. We do know that Fresno State head football coach Pat Hill interviewed for the position. Now Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach flew to Seattle for his interview. Leach's agent Gary O'Hagan would not confirm that Leach spoke to U-Dub. O'Hagan told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal "I don't know anything about that," O'Hagan said. "I'm not going to comment on that." In other words, he knows nothing and didn't know when he knew it.

Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers didn't deny nor confirm that Leach interviewed with UW either.

But Alaska Airlines did confirm that Mike Leach came through town. The Seattle Post-Intellligencer got in touch with a Alaska Airlines employee privy to passenger lists who spilled the beans saying that Leach and his wife flew in Monday afternoon and left Tuesday around noon.

Texas Tech realizes it needs to up the ante and make Mike Leach very happy. Throwing large amounts of money and job security would help. Gerald Myers told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that he is preparing to offer Leach an extension and a raise.

Rumors are flying all over the Northwest that Jim Mora will be offered the job. Mora is the head coach in waiting with the Seattle Seahawks. If true than Mora has a chance to choose which bad football team in Seattle will he coach.

Brian Kelly has told UW thanks but no thanks and will stay at Cincinnati.

Photo Courtesy: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

U-Dub Not Standing Pat

Looks like Fresno State Head Coach Pat Hill ((pictured, thanks Craig Kohlruss/Fresno Bee)) is first and foremost on the radar at the University of Washington in their quest to replace the dismissed Tyrone Willingham.

Bryant-Jon Anteola of the Fresno Bee newspaper lets us know that Doctor Pat has officially interviewed for the position after denying any interest as late as October. Hill flew up on Saturday and returned the same day. He confirmed the interview occurred Sunday before the Bulldogs end-of-the-year awards banquet.

Hill offered only a statement to that effect. It lasted 54 seconds and he did not field any questions.

"It was a great conversation," Hill said of his interview. "And in the end, I'll say this: Whoever accepts that job is going to have a great challenge but a great opportunity to be successful."

Others U-Dub seems to be chasing are the normal set of trendy picks- Whittingham, Leach, Brian Kelly, and Jim Mora, Junior. Mora is the coach-in-waiting for the Seattle Seahawks position when Mike Holmgren is set to step down after the end of the disastrous season the team is currently having in SoDo.

The Seattle Times is reporting Hill comes highly recommended- Nick Saban has thrown some positive vibes Hill's way. The two worked together as assistants under Bill Belichick in Cleveland for two seasons. Current Washington president Mark Emmert hired Saban for the LSU gig on his resume, and AD Scott Woodward was at LSU at the same time.

The only other confirmed interviewee is Notre Dame offensive coordinator Michael Haywood, according to the Times.

NB- There is no buyout for Hill should he decide to bolt...
Just thought you should know...

Coverage from our friends at KGPE/CBS47 in Fresno is below