Remember This Day...

For what it means...
For whom it means so much...
For those we lost...
For what it stands for...

Always...

College Football: Week 3

Week 3 of the college football season has one monster match-up the 4-letter word is dubbing the “Collision At The Coliseum”. That’s marketing right there. There are some other compelling match-ups that don’t have a catchy slogan attached but hey, the worldwide leader could care less. Come to think of it, they are airing some of those games. So we will come up with our own slogan.

Best Game Of The Week – Ohio State at Southern California (See Above)

It’s #1 vs #5 or according to our dirty dozen, 1A vs 2. I get an uneasy feeling about this one. This game just seems ripe USC to deliver a Buckeye butt kicking however, Ohio State might get up for this one.

2nd Best Game Of The Week – Wisconsin at Fresno State (Cheese vs Raisins)

Pat Hill will bring his Fresno State Bulldogs anywhere to play against the big boys. For once a BCS team is heading to his neck of the woods. Wisconsin is the first Big 10 team to play at Bulldog stadium. The fans in Fresno are geeked for this one, it’s a sellout at Bulldog stadium so the Badgers will be greeted by a wall of noise. Should be a good game.

3rd Best Game Of The Week – Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (The Battle of the Techs)

This will be an early indicator as to how good Georgia Tech really is and how much Virginia Tech has fallen. This is an opportunity for the Hokies to get some of its mojo back and for the Yellow Jackets, a win would yes put them in the drivers seat for the Coastal Division title.

Flying Under The Radar

Southern Miss at Arkansas State – I’ve jumped on the Red Wolves bandwagon, 2-0 and probably the best team in the state of Arkansas. If ASU can pull off a win over Southern Miss in Jonesboro, they will tear down the goal posts. It’s a statement game, although a small one, for Arkansas State. This should be a good game.

Off The Radar

Does anyone care that Michigan and Notre Dame play Saturday? No, that’s what I thought.

What If….

NC State upsets Clemson? Just thinking out loud.

How Many…

Points will Texas Tech rack up against SMU or LSU will pour on North Texas.

Rivarly Games:

Iowa State at Iowa – The annual battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy

Arizona at New Mexico – The winner of this old rivalry gains possession of the Kit Carson Rifle.

Arkansas at Texas – Frank Broyles and Darryl Royal will get together and talk about the old days of this Southwest Conference rivalry.

Your Weekly Big Guy Update...

Time for another episode of, what we like to call here at OSG HQ:
"Making Frank Show Up On Our Site: OSG Style..."

Or, for those of you who actually may have seen it in its actual TV incarnation:
"Making News: Savannah Style"

This is the episode where the TV production company lucked out beyond all lucking out- the episode centers around the Dixie Crystals Sugar Refinery Plant explosion...

And Our Big Frank is front and center...
Enjoy...

The Dirty Dozen & Bottom 5

DIRTY DOZEN

1A Southern California – 2 weeks to prep against Ohio State. Do you think up in heaven Woody Hayes and John McKay have a wager on this one?

1B Georgia – The Bulldogs have USC this Saturday, South Carolina. The head ball coach wants this one bad.

2 Ohio State – So there you go ESPN, you have the 1-2 match up just go by our poll.

3 Oklahoma – The Sooners look damn good and should crush Washington in Seattle.

4 East Carolina – Best non-BCS team in the land. The Pirates go to the Big Easy and win easy over Tulane.

5 Missouri – Host the Nevada Wolfpack in Columbia.

6 LSU – After an unexpected week off the Tigers will take the Mean out of the North Texas Mean Green

7 Texas – They smell bacon this weekend

8 Florida – Not that impressed with the Gators except for Tim Tebow who is carrying that team

9 BYU – Got by one Pac-10 test, next is UCLA at Provo

10 Utah – Utes take on weak in-state rival Utah State

11 Georgia Tech – Big road win at Boston College and another road challenge this Saturday at Virginia Tech. This team is much better than expected.

12 Alabama – Jolly Ole St. Nick is loving life, The Tide will roll on Western Kentucky

((Nelson Notes: USC, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Missouri, LSU, Florida, BYU, Utah, East Carolina, East Carolina, and Middle Tennessee State))
((Phil's List: USC, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio St., LSU, Mizzou, Texas, Auburn, E.Carolina, Alabamie, Texas Tech))

BOTTOM 5

5 Michigan – Come on, you barely beat Miami (OH)

4 The East – We are taking the Big out because that conference stinks. ACC you have company.

3 Arkansas – The worst 2-0 team in the history of college football

2 Army – I got nothing

1 Florida International – Pay us for an “W”

((Nelson Notes: Michigan, Maryland, Arkansas, Army, and Florida International))
((Phil's List: Maryland, Michigan, Arkansas, Sary-cuse, Honorary Champ FIU))

Who's the Man Now?

Think back to the 1980's and professional wrestling. From the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) to WCW (World Championship Wrestling) to the WWE, Ric Flair was the man. He had all the best lines and looked the part to a "T". He was the "World Champion" more times than even he could count. Flair finally retired from wrestling last year as possibly the greatest interviews and greatest champions ever. One of his best lines was "To be the Man, you've got to beat the Man". Well, apparently, that happened when his daughter and her 22 year old boyfriend and Flair got into a bit of a fight.

Check out the stories: hyah and hyah. (Thanks Google/AP and The State Newspaper)

It's kind of hard to believe that Flair is 59 years old. It's even harder to believe that he was out drinking with his daughter and boyfriend. It's stunning to think the daughter may have been the one arrested for assault (although you shouldn't go after police officers) It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Merriman Acknowledges Return Of Senses...Out For Year...

First, it was New England Patriots QB Tom Brady that sent fantasy football owners scurrying for their waiver wires this week. Now, any of them that had the San Diego Chargers defense may have to go looking elsewhere...

After only four opinions, and ignoring them all, Bolts LB Shawne Merriman ((pictured, thanks Getty Images)) has decided he will not play in the 2008 season after all- opting for season-ending surgery on his left knee. The ACL and PCL were torn in a game against the Tennessee Titans last December.

Quoting Jay Glazer and foxsports.com
"Shawne informed me he did not feel right and thought it best to shut it down," Smith said in a statement. "The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible. Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery."

More from San Diego when they recover from their collective faint...

Do You Knowshon...?

Apparently, the Central Michigan secondary now does after the following run in the UGA-Chippewas game from the weekend...

Consider this our first "posterization" of the 2008 college football season...

Enjoy... ((thanks, FSN South and the youtube...))

And remember kids, tackling is done when you wrap your arms around the guy with the ball. Not grasping for air thinking you have your opponent in your cross hairs...

Division I-AA Poll- Week of September 8, 2008

1) North Dakota State (20)2 - 0 668/1
2) Appalachian State (7)1 - 1 648/2
3) Montana 1 - 0 582/6
4) Richmond 1 - 1 572/3
5) Massachusetts 2 - 0 567/4
6) Delaware 0 - 1 493/7
7) James Madison 1 - 1 484/8
8) Northern Iowa 1 - 1 477/5
9) McNeese State 1 - 1 432/9
10)New Hampshire 1 - 0 382/15
11)Wofford 2 - 0 369/13
12)Cal Poly 1 - 1 365/11
13)Southern Illinois 1 - 0 361/12
14)Eastern Washington 0 - 1 352/10
15)Georgia Southern 1 - 1 260/16
16)Western Illinois 1 - 1 254/17
17)South Dakota State 1 - 1 243/20
18)Elon 1 - 1 183/19
19)Central Arkansas 2 - 0 178/24
20)Eastern Illinois 0 - 2 152/18
21)Villanova 0 - 1 130/20
22)Citadel 1 - 1 75/23
23)Furman 1 - 1 72/33
24)Youngstown State 0 - 2 66/14
25)Delaware State 1 - 0 54/30

Other Teams Receiving Votes: Northern Arizona 40, Liberty 37, Harvard 35, Jacksonville State 24, Eastern Kentucky 23, Sam Houston State 22, Prairie View A&M 21, South Carolina State 19, Fordham 19, Holy Cross 17, Tennessee State 16, Montana State 15, Hampton 11, San Diego 9, Hofstra 9, Texas State 8, Grambling State 8, North Carolina A&T 5, Sacramento State 3, Weber State 3, Yale 3, California-Davis 3, William & Mary 2, Florida A&M 1, Lehigh 1, Dayton 1, Coastal Carolina 1

Don Haskins ((1930-2008))

Legendary college basketball coach Don "The Bear" Haskins ((pictured, thanks KVIA.com)) died Sunday at the age of 78 due to congestive heart failure.

He is best known for taking his Texas-El Paso squad ((then, Texas Western College)) to the NCAA basketball championship and defeating an all-white team from the University of Kentucky in 1966. Haskins started five black players against the Wildcats.

He coached those teams in El Paso for almost 40 years and won seven WAC titles. Haskins was inducted in to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

KVIA-TV's coverage in El Paso is in blue...

Gisele Gets Shopping Buddy For Season... Brady Out For Year

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the injury to New England Patriots QB Tom Brady ((pictured, thanks Boston Globe/Jim Davis)) is season-ending. During the first quarter of his Week 1 game with Kansas City, Brady was rolled as Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard was lunging from ground-level. It appears that Brady's ACL in his left knee has decided that a vacation was necessary

Silver reports... ahem... quote...

"While New England coach Bill Belichick said in his postgame press conference that he had no update on the status of Brady’s injury, two sources indicated it involved serious damage to the knee.

“It’s bad,” a team source said. “We’re going to have to play without him.”

If confirmed, that leaves the Pats offense in the hands of back-up QB Matt Cassel. Notice those of us here at OSG HQ didn't precede the phrase with the word "capable."

To those of you who believe in that Karma thing with all the Belichick ((we'll go ahead and say it)) SHENANIGANS over the last few seasons with married women, videotapes, and his general daily demeanor...

You, sir, have been served...

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reports that free agent QB Chris Simms will be reporting to Pats' offices on Monday and, pending a physical and a workout, could be in uniform by the end of the day.

Boston Globe coverage is in blue...
The video is below ((thanks, CBS/NFL, the youtube))

Jake Locker Was Too Excited...

FSN's Barry Tompkins and Petros Papadakis were all over this one...

BYU was up seven as time was running out at Husky Stadium as they played the University of Washington. Washington QB Jake Locker scores with two seconds left to bring the game to one, 28-27. But as you watch the video ((below, thanks the youtube and FSN)) you see Locker take the ball and toss it over his shoulder after he scores.

The refs flag Locker for "unsportsmanlike conduct-excessive celebration." This pushes the point-after score back 15 yards from the original distance and creates, as Tompkins accurately describes, "Now, this is no gimme here..."

The kick is blocked. BYU escapes ((pictured, thanks Seattle P-I/Grant M. Haller)) and keep their national ranking for another week.

Molly Yanity's article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer gives us some quotable material from the guys who wore the zebra shirts...

"After scoring the touchdown, the player threw the ball into the air and we are required, by rule, to assess a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty," Pac-10 referee Larry Farina told the Washington athletic communications staffer. "It is a celebration rule that we are required to call. It was not a judgment call."

Yeah, and it's also a silly rule... but the stripes can't do anything about that...
Change the rule into an on-field judgment call...
"And that is, purely, in the hands of the officials..."

A Pirate Treasure in Greenville...

WOWK's Amanda McCall tries really hard to talk about the WVa loss to East Carolina.

Click the image to the left for the video (and I warn you...polished, she is not.)

Go Pirates!

Fear The... Blue Raider...?

The one game that Brother Wilkie forgot to list was further confirmation that the Atlantic Coast Conference is blatantly, consistently mediocre this 2008 season- and we're being kind...

The Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders ((pictured, thanks Gannett Tennessee/John A. Gillis)) took out Maryland 24-14 in a game in Murfreesboro. The win set off the appropriate amount of bedlam in the 'Boro...

Adam Sparks and the crew from Gannett Tennessee gives you the details in blue...
But the school calls it the "best win e-vah"
Rightfully so...
Huzzahs and hurrahs from OSG HQ for those of you at Floyd Stadium that watched.

Game story from the Blue Raiders is below... if you like pictures...
((thanks, the youtube and goblueraiders.com))



ALSO: click on the picture below for highlights of MTSU's raiding of the Fridge...

A Pirate's Life In College Football

It’s official, East Carolina is the new sexy team to crash the BCS party. The Pirates looked damn good in crushing West Virginia 24-3. Add this win and the one last week over Virginia Tech and ECU has beaten 2 elite BCS schools.

West Virginia came into the game ranked 8th and with East Carolina’s win over the Mountaineers, it’s the highest ranked team ECU has beaten.

East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz was at a loss for words, well sort of.

“I don’t think you can put it into words. I am so proud of these players the way they have come out and competed the last few weeks. We played two elite programs and I am just proud of the way our team has grown. They are playing with desire, passion and togetherness. It is so fun right now to stand on that sideline and watch our defense play as good as it is. Every facet of our team from the offense to special teams was fantastic tonight. The players really believe in themselves right now.”

Next week East Carolina opens Conference USA play against Tulane. The Pirates have one more BCS team on its schedule, October 11th against Virginia at Charlottesville. Right now you have to like East Carolina’s chances of running the table and going to the BCS.

Fear Not Buckeye Fans

So Ohio State Struggled against Ohio U. So what, The Buckeyes had an off day but were able to win, just not by a 5 touchdown margin. Just get over that game. Ohio State will be up for USC next week and put on a good show. The Buckeyes will be motivated for that one you can bet.

Not So High On Hogs

OK Arkansas Razorback fans, and yes I bleed Razorback red, I’m not so encouraged that Arkansas is off to a 2-0 start. 1st down by 10 to WESTERN ILLINOIS with 8 minutes left in the 4th quarter and rallying to win then just getting by Louisiana-Monroe 28-27. Both times Arkansas QB Casey Dick led the 4th quarter comeback. I don’t think Dick is the second coming of John Elway or Joe Montana with that skill but he did save Arkansas’ bacon.

The Hogs go to Austin, Texas next week to take on the Texas Longhorns and then they host Alabama. Both have the potential to be good ole fashioned whoopin’s. I might have to lay low after those games.

East Carolina/West Virginia Photos Courtesy: AP

Arkansas/UL-Monroe Photo Courtesy: Wesley Hitt/Arkansas

Como Se Dice "Backpedal...?"

In a move that surprises no one, the LPGA has decided to rescind its current attitude of making sure that its golfers passed the equivalent of the TOEFL before being allowed to show up on tour next year- or face stiff penalties... like not being able to win all their tournaments...

LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens ((pictured, thanks Getty Images/David Cannon)) is revising the idea and will have another version public by the end of the current year. This time, penalties will not be included.

On some level, you can understand where the LPGA is coming from... as a private institution, they need to promote their product. If the best golfers in their system are getting the lion's share of the paychecks and tape time, and they can't speak English fluently, the tour doesn't feel like they can promote effectively and efficiently.

But to pull the equivalent of a language lockout, has pole-vaulted any idea of fixing the problem.

The Commish sayeth... ahem... quote...

"After hearing the concerns, we believe there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every Tour player. In that spirit, we will continue communicating with our diverse Tour players to develop a better alternative. The LPGA will announce a revised approach, absent playing penalties, by the end of 2008."

The rest of Bivens' statement is hyah

The idea was revealed a few weeks ago with all the warmth of Ice Station Zebra. Major tour sponsor State Farm was even taken aback by the whole thing...

Amazing how this was announced just before a presser in Los Angeles where the Asian Pacific American Legal Center was set to go off on the tour...

Golf.com's coverage is right hyah
Doug Ferguson's work is at yahoo.com sports is hyah

College Football: Week 2

While Week 1 of the college football season had some great match-ups to kick things off, week 2 has very little compelling games. Many schools are playing FCS (1-AA) teams or non-BCS schools that are not very good. If you feel sorry for any team focus on The Citidel. They go to Clemson’s Death Valley to battle a Tiger team that’s pride is wounded. Bet the over on Clemson.

Best Game This Weekend: West Virginia at East Carolina

Skip Holtz is acting like his father Lou before a big game by sounding as if his team has not shot in winning and West Virginia counts as a big one.

"I've got great respect for their program and what they do. I think they have difference making speed on the field. It's going to be a heck of a challenge for our football team to go out there on Saturday." Holtz said.

This is another chance for East Carolina to make some noise nationally and become the sexy non-BCS pick to bust through. The big plus for ECU is that the Mountaineers are coming to the Pirates turf. West Virginia may have the better players to win by more than a touchdown but ECU is full of confidence and just might be up for another challenge.

2nd Best Game This Weekend: Miami at Florida

One thing you have to understand is that these 2 programs do not like each other. Especially since Florida feels it doesn’t need to play the Hurricanes. Not much respect there. On paper the Gators look to be the most talented team while Miami has talent but it’s young. If Miami is not intimidated by playing at the Swamp, this has the possibility to be an eye opener across the nation. I really think this will be a test for the Gators because Miami is fast. This game will be competitive but I don’t think Miami will win but it wouldn’t shock me if they did.

3rd Best Game This Weekend: Georgia Tech at Boston College

Yea I know, how could 2 middle of the road ACC teams be the 3rd best game of the weekend? 1st it’s one of the few compelling match – ups of the weekend but after what the league went through last week, the Yellow Jackets and the Eagles actually had impressive wins. Well, at least the scores looked impressive.

If Georgia Tech wins and impressively, the Jackets might be the team to beat in the ACC Coastal Division because it is wide open. If B.C. wins then the Eagles become a threat in the ACC Atlantic Division. I look forward to this one.

The Ole Miss/Wake Forest game interests me to. Houston Nutt’s 1st Rebel team reminds me so much of his 1st Arkansas team. That Razorback team in 1998 was coming off a 4 win season and uninspired. Nutt come in and inspired the Hogs to 8 straight wins to open the season. Wake Forest might be the best team in the ACC and is rolling but the Rebels are better than people think. I love the match-up and it should be a fun, entertaining game.

Bet The Farm On The USC Trojans To Win The National Championship:

For those who look for any kind of angle when betting who will win the national title then check out this little ditty. Southern California has won the national championship 4 times in years in which the Summer Olympics have been held. 1928, 1932, 1972, 1994.

Seminoles Name A Starter:

Christian Ponder won the Florida State quarterback lottery. FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher named Ponder the Seminole starting quarterback Wednesday night. The Seminoles open the season Saturday against Western Carolina.

The Red Wolves Are Howling:

It has turned out to be a great move by Arkansas State to change their nickname to the Red Wolves. Last Saturday ASU got its first win over a BCS school defeating Texas A&M 18-14 in front of over 78,000 fans at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. By the way Aggie fans, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Gene Stallings & Jackie Sherrill all lost their 1st games as head coach at Texas A&M.

A Grand Game For Wyoming:

When Wyoming hosts Air Force on Saturday, it will be the 1,000th game in Cowboy history. Now if only Wyoming would do something about that brown and yellow color scheme.

That’s it, I’m spent.

No... No, Ma'am. I'm Not Hank Snow's Brother...

In an attempt to rectify a huge oversight by those of us here at OSG HQ...

One of our favorite movies when cable was first introduced to homes across America can be found below... You remember the first days of cable... channels 2 through 13, and one of them is Home Box Office...

You remember Home Box Office... showing the same movie over and over for an entire month...
And this is where we learned about the art of a "little he-in and she-in..." with Sally Field no less.

Fred... Frog...Frog...Fred...

The Snowman, is now 10-10 and on the side, having passed from emphysema at the age of 71.
And, admit it, this is a whole lot better than seeing his head swapped with that of a cocker spaniel late in a football game with two universities that really don't even exist...
((thanks, the youtube))

Memo To You Wahoos In Ivory Towers

Remember your roots...
And what this country was founded on...
Here's President Andrew Shepherd to remind you...
Al Groh and everyone at UVa, consider yourself to be officially on notice...
((thanks: the youtube))

We Will Not Go Down Without A Fight...

Okay... it's only been a few days now...
The end of the previous month, actually... when we thought we'd show you a former life of the current Republican PartyVice-Presidential candidate, Alaska Governor and self-admitted hockey mom... Sarah Palin...

Otherwise known as Tina Fey's sister at OSG HQ...

First it was K2 in Anchorage screaming copyright violations when they first surfaced...even as we, as we always do, gave the professional courtesy of telling you where the video originated.

Now, I'm sure it's no one in black dress suits and matching shades and Chevy Tahoes, calling the shots or anything, but the current reaction of clicking on our monitors is somewhat disturbing...
((Thanks: the youtube))

So, as a public service... once the monitor dies a painful, Big Brother-finger wagging blackout, you can always go here...
But, remember, we never mentioned it if anyone asks...

Thunder Struck...

The NBA has finally unleashed the largest, well-known, not-so-secret secret...
The new franchise will, heretofore, be known as the Thunder...

People close to the situation leaked pictures of the gear ((which has a very D-League look to it, by the way)) and the actual decision to name the team the Thunder over names like Bison, Barons, Marshals, Wind, and Energy.

Mike Baldwin's piece from newsok.com is hyah

Oklahoma City TV station KOCO, almost a month ago, linked the idea of the OKC Thunder to a web domain that had been reserved. That is, what we call, good ole fashioned detective work...

Their coverage is hyah

Here's your logo...