"One of the Wildest Games I've Ever Seen"

That's how the Head Coach of Abilene Christian viewed his Division II playoff game against West Texas A-and-M...

How'd he figure...?

Chris Thomsen's Wildcats scored 93 points in a football game this Saturday. Running back Bernard Scott scored seven touchdowns and ran for 292 yards. QB Billy Malone threw for six touchdowns on his own. Abilene won 93-68...

Yes, we're still talking football...

Nine Abilene Christian records were broken. 14 Lone Star Conference records were broken. 5 NCAA records were broken including most combined points and most combined yards. 16 Division II playoff records were broken.

But the rub comes in the last 35 seconds or so of the video below ((HT: Abilene Reporter News/Daniel Wason)) as Abilene didn't just take a knee with the last kickoff as time expired.
They decided to see if they could get another TD on the board and turn the scoreboard over for an even 100- much to the pissdom of the visitors after the game was over...

Reminder to the Wildcats as they get NW Missouri State next week...
There's something about karma that you need to remember down the line. It may not come next week. It may not come for the rest of this season, but it will come...

Oh, yes. It will come...

AP College Football Poll ((Week of November 23))

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (63) 11-0 1,622
2. Florida Gators (2) 10-1 1,512
3. Oklahoma Sooners 10-1 1,486
4. Texas Longhorns 10-1 1,437
5. U-S-C Trojans 9-1 1,352
6. Penn State Nittany Lions 11-1 1,238
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders 10-1 1,212
8. Utah Utes 12-0 1,206
9. Boise State Broncos 11-0 1,064
10. Ohio State Buckeyes 10-2 1,043
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys 9-2 997
12. Missouri Tigers 9-2 917
13. Georgia Bulldogs 9-2 874
14. T-C-U Horned Frogs 10-2 750
15. Ball State Cardinals 11-0 731
16. Cincinnati Bearcats 9-2 640
17. Oregon State Beavers 8-3 604
18. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 8-3 339
19. Oregon Ducks 8-3 320
20. Boston College Eagles 8-3 309
20. B-Y-U Cougars 10-2 309
22. Michigan State Spartans 9-3 274
23. Florida State Seminoles 8-3 214
24. Northwestern Wildcats 9-3 145
25. Ole Miss Rebels 7-4 127

Others receiving votes: West Virginia 120, Pittsburgh 108, Iowa 54, L-S-U 35, California 11, Tulsa 8, Western Michigan 8, South Carolina 5, Central Michigan 5, Connecticut 2, Nebraska 1, Rice 1.

BCS Rankings ((Week of November 23))

1. Alabama Crimson Tide 11-0 .970/.987
2. Texas Longhorns 10-1 .960/.921
3. Oklahoma Sooners 10-1 .900/.913
4. Florida Gators 10-1 .780/.876
5. U-S-C Trojans 9-1 .710/.797
6. Utah Utes 12-0 .860/.786
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders 10-1 .890/.779
8. Penn State Nittany Lions 11-1 .730/.752
9. Boise State Broncos 11-0 .630/.658
10. Ohio State Buckeyes 10-2 .570/.621
11. Georgia Bulldogs 9-2 .690/.602
12. Oklahoma State Cowboys 9-2 .580/.571
13. Missouri Tigers 9-2 .520/.559
14. T-C-U Horned Frogs 10-2 .510/.470
15. Ball State Cardinals 11-0 .400/.438
16. Cincinnati Bearcats 9-2 .430/.397
17. Oregon State Beavers 8-3 .240/.313
18. B-Y-U Cougars 10-2 .310/.263
19. Michigan State Spartans 9-3 .260/.212
20. Florida State Seminoles 8-3 .290/.188
21. Boston College Eagles 8-3 .180/.186
22. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 8-3 .240/.181
23. Oregon Ducks 8-3 .000/.155
24. Northwestern Wildcats 9-3 .020/.113
25. Pittsburgh Panthers 7-3 .050/.041

From The Rafters!!!

Here are the highlights of your weekend's National Hockey League jersey-raising moments...

First- Patrick Roy's Ceremony in Montreal... after years of acrimony ((that's a fancy word for not liking one another...)) both sides buried the hatchet. He came home for one hell of a night...

Dick Irvin is your MC ((HT: CBC/NHL/the youtube))
Here's Part One...


Part 2 is in black... Part 3 is also in black...

And the Toronto Maple Leafs Wendel Clark had the same event happen at the Post Office in downtown Toronto. You gotta give the CBC credit running both for an entire country.

Simultaneously...
((Once again, HT: CBC/NHL/the youtube))


Two of the toughest get their nights...

Washington State Wins The (Rotten) Apple Cup

I know the Apple Cup means everything to the University of Washington and Washington State and is a matter of pride for the alums and fans. (For those of you in SEC land, think Alabama/Auburn, the rivalry between U-Dub and Wazzou isn't as cut throat but very similar.)

This year both teams were dreadful but this was a statement game for both the Huskies and the Cougars. Washington State got to host this game and the Cougs took full advantage winning 16-13 thanks to Nick Grassu's field goal in double overtime for Wazzou's 2nd win of the year and braggin' rights for a year.

Based on the seasons of Washington and Washington State, you should have called this the Rotten Apple Cup.

Here are the highlights from KXLY, thanks guys

College Basketball: Big East Predictions

The Big East conference has bloated into a giant, Goliath mega-conference and that has been a good thing. The Big East has become the best conference in division one men's basketball. The Big East would rival that of SEC football if St. John's would get it's act together. With the Red Storm drifting into the abyss the league has lost it's trump card, the New York media which doesn't ignore St. John's or Big East hoops but it's not on the lead on the back pages. Having DePaul back to it's winning ways would be a huge help. That would get the Chicago media energized about the Blue Demons like the late '70's and early 80's with great players like Mark Agguire and Terry Cummings. The Big East has teams in 2 of the top 3 media markets with strong basketball traditions in major markets with 5 star high school talent. The Big East is great but could be scary great.

The Big East is so loaded they might get double digits in the NCAA Tournament. Connecticut, Louisville and Notre Dame look to be Final Four material.

Best Team In The Big East: Connecticut Huskies

The last 2 years have ended in disappointment for UConn. From no post season to the Huskies first 1st round exit in the NCAA Tournament during the Jim Calhoun era. That didn't sit well with Coach Calhoun went went shopping for top talent and has assembled a collection of great players to come to Storrs. Connecticut has a very deep backcourt lead by national defensive Player of the Year Hasheem Thabeet. A.J. Prince leads a group of outstanding guards. It seems the Huskies have all the ingredients for a return trip to the Final Four.

Best Player In The Big East: Luke Harangoody - Notre Dame

Harangoody averaged a double-double last year 20.5 ppg and 10.6 rebounds per game but those number increased once Big East play began to 23.3 ppg and 11.3 rebounds per game. This year he will see every freak defense Big East coaches have in the plans. Harangoody will no doubt have to create shots while double teamed, move without the ball and depend on screens to get a open look. Harangoody is a super talent that like all great players, learn to adjust.

Team That Could Surprise: DePaul Blue Demons

DePaul has been dreadful the past few years but things might be looking up. Jerry Wainwright has recruited well and has a nice nucleus lead by Dar Tucker. NIT might be the place for the Blue Demons this year but considering what it's been like, it's a great first step by to the spotlight.

Who Will Go Dancing: Connecticut, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Georgetown, Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia, Providence.

Who Will Play For Number 66: Cincinnati, DePaul, Seton Hall

Big East Predictions:

1. Connecticut

2. Louisville

3. Pittsburgh

4. Notre Dame

5. Georgetown

6. Marquette

7. Syracuse

8. Villanova

9. Providence

10. West Virginia

11. DePaul

12. Cincinnati

13. Seton Hall

14. South Florida

15. Rutgers

16. St. John's

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

College Basketball: ACC Predictions

North Carolina is above and beyond anyone else in the ACC. Duke is a solid #2. After that well you have a very talented but young Wake Forest team that will challenge or even break the Carolina - Duke strangle hold on the ACC. Miami is an up and coming program and rest will be battling for position.

Best Team In The ACC: North Carolina Tar Heels

Carolina is the best team in the nation. I will be very surprised if the Tar Heels don't make it to the Final Four. All the ingredients are in place for Carolina to cut down the nets in Detroit this year. Yes, Tyler Hansbrough is nursing a stress reaction but once his 100%, it's all good. Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson and Danny Green all flirted with the NBA but decided to stay in Chapel Hill. They want to hang a 5th championship banner at the Dean Dome.

Best Player In The ACC: Tyler Hansbrough - North Carolina

Hansbrough has became the face of college basketball. Look at every pre season magazine cover and you will see #50 in his baby blue uni. Hansbrough's engine never stops running and his opponents wonder when will he run out of gas. Averaging 22 points per game and 10 rebounds per game usually means no pits stops for #50.

Team That Could Surprise: Miami Hurricanes

Miami has perhaps the best pure shooter in the ACC in Jack McClinton. He shot 43% from the 3-point line last year and was over 90% from the free throw line. McClinton is money when the game is on the line. In 12 games McClinton's 2nd half on target shooting won many games for the Hurricanes. With Lance Hurdle running the point and powerful Jimmy Graham taking care of the details inside, the Canes could elbow Duke out of the way and, dare I say this, challenge North Carolina for the top spot. I think I did say it.

Who Will Go Dancing: North Carolina, Duke, Miami, Wake Forest, Clemson, Virginia TE

Who Plays For #66: Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, Florida State

ACC Notes: If you get a chance, watch Gervis Vasquez at Maryland. Vasquez should be free to play the 2 where he will be impressive shooting from he outside, penetrating and creating his shots. Vasquez is the biggest weapon in the Terrapins arsenal. Leonard Hamilton loves his FSU team this year. He says its the best chemistry he's had in all his years in Tallahassee. Seminole fans hope that translates into a post season tournament run.

ACC Predictions

1. North Carolina

2. Duke

3. Miami

4. Wake Forest

5. Clemson

6. Virginia Tech

7. Georgia Tech

8. Maryland

9. Florida State

10. NC State

11. Boston College

12. Virginia

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

College Basketball: Big 10 Predictions

There are some really good teams in the Big 10 this season but none seem to be of Final Four caliber. Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin looked poised to have great seasons and make deep tournament runs.

Best Team In The Big 10: Michigan State Spartans

I know the chic' pick in the Big 10 is Purdue and the Boilermakers have a nice team. I like a team that has been there and done that with a coach that knows what it takes to win the league. Tom Izzo is the best coach in the Big 10 and has assembled a Spartan team that may not be up there with the Mateen Cleeves - Mo Pete crew just yet but will be getting there. Kalin Lucas is one of the best point guards in the country and expect Lucas to become more of a vocal leader. His talent is unquestioned The key to Michigan State is dominating on the boards and creating an up tempo game. If the Spartans do that they will win their first Big 10 title in 8 years. Izzo is keeping a low profile with this team through to not elevate expectations.

Best Player In The Big 10: Robbie Hummel - Purdue

Hummel can shoot and handle the ball. He hit 44% of his 3 pointers last season to lead the Big 10 in conference games. Hummel's numbers were solid averaging 11.4 points per game, 6.1 rebounds and earned Big 10 Freshman of the Year honors. He will have a sensational sophomore season.

Team That Could Surprise: Minnesota Golden Golphers

Disregard how Tubby Smith left Kentucky. He is a great college basketball coach and Minnesota should be very thankful Smith ended up in Minneapolis. This year will be a challenge since the Golphers lost their top 3 scorers from 07-08. All Tubby Smith did was recruit some players that might even be an upgrade. Their is optimism among the Gopher nation that the basketball team is going in the right direction and their will be more to do on campus than watch hockey this winter.

Who Will Go Dancing: Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio State

Who Plays For Number 66: Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan.

Big 10 Notes: Indiana fans, the Hoosiers will be lucky to win one Big 10 game with only one scholarship player returning. Take your lumps this year and don't get down on Tom Creen. He won big at Marquette and will get the players to come to Indiana. What 5 -star recruit wouldn't want to play for the coach that made the reputation of Dwayne Wade. Indiana will be Indiana again. Bruce Weber britches are getting a little warm at Illinois. Last year the Illini didn't go to the NCAA Tournament. Weber has 6 highly ranked recruits coming in the next 2 years. A Top 6 finish in the Big 10 this year will help fan confidence.

Big 10 Predictions:

1. Michigan State

2. Purdue

3. Wisconsin

4. Ohio State

5. Minnesota

6. Illinois

7. Penn State

8. Michigan

9. Iowa

10. Northwestern

11. Indiana

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

NBA Concerned About McDavid Finances in 2003

The David McDavid v. Turner Broadcasting trial continues in Fulton County Superior Court.

McDavid claims that Turner Broadcasting did an end run and sold the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers, and Philips Arena to Atlanta Spirit LLC after he had an agreement to pick up the assets on his own.

But the NBA had their own worries about McDavid and his attempted financing of the purchase of the Hawks.

According to testimony, McDavid admitted his own net worth was in the neighborhood of US$180-million. He was set to purchase the Hawks, Thrashers, and Philips for $60-million up front with another $20-million financed- all cash.

In the article from Kristi Swartz in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NBA exec Joel Litvin expressed a league concern:

“Given that the losses this team was certain to incur, losses that probably would exceed the $20 million he had remaining, that would have been a concern,” Litvin testified. “We want to make sure that the owners of our franchises have the wherewithal to fund the teams in a first-class manner.”

The Hawks recorded losses of just over US$31-million in 2002-2003.

McDavid had negotiated with Turner and signed a letter of intent in April of 2003. His exclusivity window for negotiations closed, and Turner announced in September of that year that they were selling to "Atlanta Spirit, LLC." McDavid has since sued Turner for US$450-million in a breach of contract suit.

Turner has always maintained that the deal to sell to Atlanta Spirit was a better one for Turner- eventhough only US$8-million was put on the table up front in cash. The group had to pony up another US$115-million in personal guarantees against the projected losses of the franchises.

Those losses were close to US$250-million from 2002 through 2005 according to internal projections from Turner Broadcasting.

If all these figures haven't confused the ever-loving hell out of you by now... the trial is set to conclude some time next week.

That is, of course, until there is an appeal.

That will mean the only winner in the case to date will be the corporate lawyers on both sides.

Double Dribble

A whole new meaning to the term "Double Dribble"



I thought Double Dribble was a "Turnover" not a "Turn On."

Travis Henry's Deep Coverage

Currently-former NFL running back Travis Henry ((pictured, thanks James Woodcock/Billings Gazette)) was in a DeKalb County Superior Court Wednesday in an attempt to get his child support payments lowered for one son.

Henry has fathered nine children with nine women.

In Ty Tagami's article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Henry is looking to knock the number down from $3-grand a month and his lawyer, Randall Kessler, maintains that Henry is probably done with a professional playing career.

“He’s got child support obligations across the country, and he’s got zero income,” Kessler told Judge Clarence Seeliger.

You'll remember Henry was also busted last month for ((allegedly)) being the money man in a cocaine trafficking ring. He had to post a $400,ooo bond in Colorado back then. Seeliger had set the $3,000 figure last year when Henry still had a job and demanded a trust fund be set up for the child he fathered with Jameshia Beacham.

The Georgia Court of Appeals will be hearing that particular case that was filed by Kessler.

Beacham's attorney is asking for documentation that Henry is currently broke- noting in court that his last contract, with the Denver Broncos, was signed for $4-million.

Judge Seeliger agreed with the idea that more information on Henry's finances needed to be investigated. No make-up date has yet been announced for the next hearing...

Maybe Henry can consult with Evander Holyfield on such matters before Round Two...

The Rocky Mountain News Judi Villa recently chronicled Henry's fall from being all-that-and-the-whole-chip-aisle by talking to his old high school football coach from Frostproof High in Florida.

Currently, Henry is under house arrest in his golf course condo in Aurora, Colorado.

He is free on bond while awaiting a January trial date in Montana.

We Demand A Recount!

Yeah... we know there already is a President-Elect...

But we didn't know the ballot could reflect a truly charismatic leader for our time...
Thanks to Grey Blackwell for reminding us all of a gigantic oversight...
((HT: Raleigh News and Observer))

The Real Dirty Dozen

When the Dust Clears...

After this week, it looks like we might have a better idea of who our BCS teams are going to be. That isn't to say who will be the title teams, but we'll know who will be amongst the final 8.

The Big Game this week...aside from Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma, the Crapple Cup...Washington vs. Washington State or what the rest of us call the "The Worst 2 Teams on the Planet".

Last Week: I believe I ran the table...13-0 (I don't try to pick the spread, it never works out). Overall: 60-15. Maybe I do know what I am talking about? No?

The Best of the Best:

1. Alabama (They get to stay here until they lose. It really hurts to say it, but it is true. This Week: Alabama 10, Bye Week 0, they will live another week)

2. Texas Tech (I keep waiting for them to fail, they haven't. If you can cover Michael Crabtree, you can beat this team, I'm convinced. This Week: Oklahoma 47, Texas Tech 45)

3. Florida (Damn they are impressive. Again, it is painful to admit, but hell, nobody has slowed them down the past 4 weeks. Don't look for that to change. This Week: Florida 51, Citadel 6)

4. Oklahoma (This is a pretty good team, but half the Big 12 is pretty good. This Week: See #2)

5. Texas (Same as the rest of the Big 12. Congrats to Will Muschamp, but how long until the Mack Daddy retires? He's not "Joe Pa" old. This Week: Bye Week loses)

6. USC (Is anyone else tire of these guys? They just kind of slide by. I don't know, maybe it's because the PAC 10 sucks, they could be Top 10 and still not make the Rose Bowl. That would be funny. This Week: Bye Week could upset them but won't)

7. Utah (What a nice story it would be if they could go undefeated. I almost want to say that the bubble will burst...but...nah...let's be optimistic people. This Week: Utah 31, BYU 28)

8. State Penn (I'm just...I don't know...verklempt or something about this. I really don't care for this team and I'm tired of Joe Pa. Just because of that I shouldn't pick them to win, but they are the best of the Underachieving 10. This Week: State Penn 34, Michigan St. 17)

9. Boise State (They're back!!!! I swear Ian Johnson is like Freddie Weygand...an 8th year Senior. But hey...This Week: Boise State 30, Nevada 21)

10. Oh No State (This kills me because I know that if they have to face an SEC team in a bowl game, they will lose by 30 and prove they don't belong here. But right now, they have as good a claim as anyone else. This Week: Ohio State 17, Meech-i-gan 10)

11. Okie State (The Fighting Mike Gundy's still haven't given me a reason to drop them out of here. Hey...if they are good enough for T.Boone Pickens, they are good enough for the OSG. This Week: Mike Gundy 40, Everyone else 0!)

12. Ball State (It sucks they won't go to a BCS game no matter what they do. It would just plain, be more fun if the David Lettermen made it that far. But...what can ya' do? This Week: Ball State 34, Central Michigan 32)

The Bottom of the Barrel:

5. Tennessee Tuxedo (HaHa! I just love the thought of getting to put these guys here. I don't even have to make something up, they really are this bad. Great Pumpkin..."Have a GREAT day!". This Week: Vandy 24, Vowels 12)

4. Meech-ee-gan (Poor Rich Rodriguez...telling fans to "Get a life". Why does everyone seem to make Rich angry? Why did Rich take this job? Why did the Wolverines offer it to him? Way too much to ponder. This Week: See Oh No State above)

3. Schmoo (Is there even anything funny left to say here? I kind of feel bad for them...but what is the old saying? A little help? Can't think of it....Anyway. This Week: Bye Week 27, SMU 10)

1/2 Washington and Washington State (Wow! Can you believe that these two are actually playing this week? Come to think of it, they may not believe it. Sadly one of them has to win...don't they? Isn't this the "Apple Cup"? Maybe it could be re-titeled "Applesauce"! Oh...damn...that's funny!. OK, no it isn't...but neither is this game. This Week: Washington 10, Washington State 10 and we all get a good laugh!)

((photos courtesy of ME!!!))

More Final Four

Big Game...Big Arena...Big _____

Since it is close to the season of giving, the NCAA has decided that they would bestow the gift of Final Four for the next round of 5 years or 2012-2016 to you and me.

Certainly the city of Atlanta...or at least the Atlanta Journal Constitution is happy about it, check out the story here .

Here are the list of winners:

2012 New Orleans at The Superdome
2013 Atlanta at The Georgia Dome
2014 Dallas/Fort Worth at Cowboys Stadium (that should be interesting)
2015 Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium
2016 Houston at Reliant Stadium

I would say buy your tickets now, but much like the Super Bowl or any other "Marquee" event they are a little hard to come by.

Go Ride A Bike!

According to palmettosports.com, offensive lineman Josh Elizondo ((pictured, thanks rivals.com)) from Naples High School is through with football.

He's not going to play anymore. Out, over, done, and gone...
Elizondo says that he was kicked off the team about a month ago for "missing too many practices..." and not being a big fan of all the politickin' on the squad...

Too much drama for him... apparently...

You can check out some of the good ole days for Josh in black...
It's shot from really high up on top of a press box and stuff...

So what does a high school senior who is tired of football plan on doing with the rest of his life...?

He's enrolling in the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando...
Apparently, he's eligible to apply for the Jeremy McGrath Scholarship...

Elizondo had offers from South Carolina, Troy, Pitt, Iowa State, NC State, Duke, and Kentucky.

"I used to love football but I'm tired of it. I've got other interests now," he said.

Perhaps, helping out this man will be the next step in his process...
Good luck in all of your future endeavors...

Milestones In The Dark

Last week was the final week in the regular season for NAIA football. Division II had already started their playoff run, and every other group that has a playoff is close to gearing up for those themselves.

Are you listening Division I...?

Oh, that's right... I forgot...

There was a lot of radio stalking the day of the game in McKenzie, Tennessee. The Shorter Hawks, the adopted birds of OSG HQ, had found out earlier in the day from their hotel rooms in Jackson, Tennessee- when there actually was warmth in the air- that the team that needed to lose for the Hawks to get a shot at a division title actually did.

Cumberland University actually beat Lambuth University... there was a shot... a shot for another first in a year of firsts- a division title. That would mean that another record would be set for wins in a season if they pulled off a win against Bethel University ((pictured above right, thanks to me)). All that, in turn, would mean another distinct possibility...

The school's first ever playoff birth...

A little about McKenzie, Tennessee... it's officially in the middle-of-nowhere-northwest Tennessee. And it's not even northwest enough to be the town of Martin. They house the Skyhawks and play on SprinTurf. They're in the polls as well you see, but in a different division that also has playoffs. But they were playing Southeast Missouri State and couldn't be reached for comment in this column ((pictured above left, thanks again to me))...

McKenzie is part of Tennessee 22 that runs from, roughly, 20 miles east of Jackson on Interstate 40 to the four corners area of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkansas.

It's Cardinals country. It's farm country and it's speed traps. You get a sandwich in Parker's Crossroads and head north about 20 miles- that's McKenzie. But not before you get lost in Huntingdon on the by-pass.

You can't tell where the Bethel campus is in broad daylight. But an 8PM kick-off is easy.

The football lights act as your beacon. Another pretty stadium that lights your way.

It looked like neither team liked the idea of playing in the cold... a lot of running. If you want to call it an idea of running to run back inside on one side- go for it. I certainly was- or would have liked to since it felt like 12 degrees outside with a nice breeze in your grill to remind you it's winter time.

Shorter runs and dares you to stop them...they don't care about the conditions.

The defense came up big on a tip drill-interception to preserve the shutout, and came up a few more times to keep the score on the positive. But there were a few instances where I couldn't help but laugh at the proceedings... an example...

Fourth quarter, good guys still up 7-nothing... Running back Chris Chapman was a moving target in motion in the wing-T formation. He got the pitch from QB Ben Williams, found the corner, got some great blocks, and ended up in the endzone.

About 45 minutes later, someone threw a flag and called the touchdown back.

So much for being up 14-nothing.

There were horsecollars, which I thought were universally-bad, that weren't flagged. There were flags that shouldn't have been flagged that were flagged.

It got flaggin' ridiculous... but the final was 7-nothing over Bethel.

Division title... playoff berth... all that...

And when you looked over at Head Coach and All-Around-Good-Guy Phil Jones he was overcome on the sidelines. You see, he's the architect of this whole thing. He started coaching when there wasn't anything or anyone to coach. In four years, he's taken the team from being a bunch of freshmen to a bunch of seniors who've played every down and made a program out of thin air.

Don't get me wrong... it takes a lot of people to make this work- from administration to coaches to trainers, players, families, and fans. And he'll be the first one to tell you all about that...

It's not about him... never has...

So, what has all that work gotten the program...?

A Top-12 ranking in the final regular season coaches poll, a division title, and another road game eleven miles north of the Tennessee-Kentucky border this Saturday at the University of the Cumberlands for the Mid-South Conference Heavyweight Belt...

Your playoffs pairings for the rest of the NAIA are in black...

See you from the road...

Division I-AA Poll ((Week of November 17th))

1. James Madison Dukes (106) 9-1 2,986
2. Appalachian State Mountaineers (13) 9-2 2,871
3. Cal Poly Mustangs (1) 8-1 2,623
4. Northern Iowa Panthers 9-2 2,517
5. Montana Grizzlies 10-1 2,499
6. Villanova Wildcats 8-2 2,355
7. Richmond Spiders 8-3 2,188
8. Weber State Wildcats 9-2 2,161
9. Wofford Terriers 8-2 2,005
10. Southern Illinois Salukis 8-2 1,988
11. New Hampshire Wildcats 8-2 1,659
12. Elon Phoenix 8-3 1,473
13. Central Arkansas Bears 9-2 1,448
14. McNeese State Cowboys 7-3 1,272
15. South Carolina State Bulldogs 9-2 1,231
16. William & Mary Tribe 7-3 1,106
17. Maine Black Bears 8-3 900
18. Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks 8-3 863
19. Harvard Crimson 8-1 769
20. Furman Paladins 7-4 595
21. Colgate Raiders 8-2 506
22. Liberty Flames 9-2 409
23. Western Illinois Leathernecks 6-4 338
24. Jacksonville State Gamecocks 8-3 242
25. Tennessee State Tigers 8-3 238

Others receiving votes: Holy Cross 196, Prairie View 185, Eastern Kentucky 174, North Dakota State 147, Grambling 117, Montana State 111, Texas State 107, South Dakota State 87, Lafayette 47, Massachusetts 43, Florida A&M 35, Albany 28, Georgia Southern 23, Bethune-Cookman 18, Brown 10, Northern Arizona 7, Dayton 6, Jacksonville 5, San Diego 4, Yale 3, Monmouth 2 Northwestern State 2, South Dakota 2.

Will Muschamp Is Off The Market

For the past few years whenever a head coach position opens in college football, Will Muschamp's name is on everyones list. He's young, somewhat psycho on the sidelines and his players will run through a wall for him. If he didn't have strong Georgia Bulldog roots he might have been the head coach at Georgia Tech rather than Paul Johnson. (Georgia Tech made a great hire anyway.)

Right now Muschamp is employed by the University of Texas and now will remain so for the foreseeable future. Texas athletic director Deloss Dodds announced that Muschamp has been designated head coach in waiting by the Longhorns and is expected to take over as head coach of the Horns once Mack Brown retires.

Dodds says he wants Brown to stay a long time but wanted to avoid the "trauma" of a coaching search when Brown calls it quits. Mack Brown, you are on the clock.

By accepting this proposal, Muschamp will receive a hefty pay raise going from $425,000 to $900,000 in January and remain a very highly paid defensive coordinator for the time being.

Sorry Tennessee, Clemson, Washington, Kansas State and Syracuse (Do you really think Muschamp would go to the 'Cuse), Muschamp is officially off the market.

Texas knows it has a hot commodity and will pay any price ($$$$$) to keep Muschamp in burnt orange.

Will Muschamp, the eyes of Texas are upon you.

Photo Courtesy: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Coverage from KXAN-TV is below...

It's Official, BCS Heads To ESPN

We told you yesterday but now it's official. ESPN has bought the rights for the BCS Bowl Games beginning in 2011 through 2014. The 4 year deal will cost ESPN $125 million per year. Though the Rose Bowl stays on ABC (separate deal) the rest of the BCS including the Championship Game goes to cable marking the first time a title game of a major sport or NCAA football & men's college basketball will be broadcasted on cable.

"You're talking about a situation where we're seeing more and more sporting events go to cable," said BCS coordinator John Swofford, the ACC commissioner. "And certainly I think that the college football community, people who truly follow college football, are extremely well tuned into ESPN and see ESPN as in essence for television the home of college football."

"The BCS will thrive on ESPN," ESPN president George Bodenheimer said. "Our slogan is 'College Football Lives Here' and the BCS will now top college football's best regular-season and studio coverage, the sport's top awards shows, Bowl Week and other national championships all carried on our family of networks. This is a proud day for ESPN and an exceptional day for this great sport and its passionate fans."

Now that ESPN has the BCS you can bet the criticism of that system will stop from this day forward.

Pedroia A.L. MVP

Your American League Most Valuable Player for 2008 is..... Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox.



Pedroia got 16 out of 28 first place votes easily beating out 2006 A.L MVP Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins.



Pedroia had 17 home runs, 83 RBI's and batted .326.



Pedroia is the first Red Sox player to win the A.L. MVP since Roger Clemens did it in 1986.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images