July 10th, 2008
Not every BCS team has a fan base like Ohio State or USC or LSU. However, that doesn’t mean that you guys won’t be interested in news from these schools! Even is ESPN and other news sources don’t choose to highlight these points of interest, I think they’re worth mentioning:
Mark Dantonio of Michigan State threw out the first pitch at Wednesday’s Detroit Tigers game. That’s an honor for anyone, and I’m sure MSU fans loved to see his arm.
San Diego State’s Kevin O’Connell sat down for an interview (read it here) to talk about his life since April. O’Connell was the 94th draft pick and went to the Patriots.
At West Point, there are a ton of renovations being done to Michie Stadium, home of the Army football team. Most notable, all of the old artificial grass has been removed and replaced with FieldTurf, which is considered a safer surface for players. They’re also getting a HUGE video board!
Run by alum Riki Ellison, Tulane is home to the Youth Impact Program this week. This event, which is free for participants, gives underprivileged boys the chance to learn about football, as well as about academics and life skills needed for success.
Syracuse fans are all hyped up - yesterday Universal Pictures announced that “The Express” will premier in their city on September 12. The movie chronicles the life of Orange alum Ernie Daivs, the first Heisman winner who was African American. The movie stars Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid. It will be released in theatres everywhere on October 3.
Heard any good snippets lately from your favorite school? Leave a comment to tell us about it!
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By Allison -- 0 comments
July 9th, 2008
The Michigan and Rich Rodriguez vs. West Virginia saga is finally over, at least as far as the courts are concerned (fans may have something else to say about it).
For the last several months, West Virginia, where Coach Rodriguez had worked before abruptly moving to take the head coaching position at Michigan, has been battling the “traitor,” saying that he broke his contract and owes the school millions as a buyout.
Today, it was announced that they’ve reached a tentative agreement - Coach Rod will pay West Virginia $1.5 million and Michigan will pay the school the additional $2.5 million that they’ve been asking. Michigan will also cover all of the the coach’s attorney fees.
Rodriguez’s main argument was that West Virginia was not upholding some parts of the contract, and because they broke it first, he should not have to pay. In addition, he says that he signed the contract under pressure and that the school’s president, Mike Garrison, assured him that the buyout clause would be reduced or eliminated if he decided to quit (Garrison denies these promises). He still maintains that this is the case, but he and his new school feel that the distracting issue needs to be behind them before football season starts.
Ironically, Coach Rod signed a contact with Michigan that has a $4 million buyout clause…
Picture via Newscom.
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By Allison -- 0 comments
July 8th, 2008
Are you now or were you once an cheerleader for a NCAA football team?
If so, I want to talk to you!
The BCS is only a “frenzy” because of the fans, and it takes more than some guys throwing a ball around to make the game great for fans. Without cheerleaders, games just wouldn’t be as exciting.
That goes for both male and female cheerleaders, as well as mascots - if you’re willing to fill out an email questionnaire, I’d love to feature you and the hard work you do on this site.
At the end of the day, I don’t think most people understand that being a football cheerleader is almost as demanding as being a football player, with even less of an opportunity to turn pro at the end of your college career.
I get it - its hard work…and I’d like showcase that. Email me today at allison.boyer -at- yahoo.com if you’re interested. Let me know your first name, school, graduation year, and emaill address where I can contact you (this will ALWAYS be kept private).
Remember, it doesn’t matter if you’re an 2010 graduation or a 1940 graduate - if you were an NCAA cheerleader, I want to hear from you!
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the most important thing of all…THERE’S PRIZES TO BE HAD. Every month, readers will vote on their favorite cheerleader and a each vote is a chance to win an Amazon gift certificate for both the cheerleaders and the voters! How much money? That depends on the number of entries for the month. Every entry will increase the pot, so go out and tell every cheerleader you know to participate!
Note - in case you are a student athlete, according to NCAA rules, as I understand it, you are permitted to participate in drawings, contests, etc. as long as there is no risk involved (ie, you didn’t pay an entry fee or bet money). If you are concerned about voting and possibly winning the drawing, please talk to your AD for more information about NCAA bylaws!
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By Allison -- 0 comments
July 8th, 2008
I love college football. Going to games is the best. No matter how big your HDTV at home or how good the snacks your roommate makes are, there’s no replacement for seeing a live game, being part of the crowd.
That said, I have a bone to pick with some of you.
The majority of college football fans are awesome, but there are some that just make me grit my teeth and wish I could go home. If you fall into any of the following categories, I have one plea: STOP RUINING COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR THE REST OF US!
1. The Drunken Idiot
Who among us hasn’t tailgated, trading beers with neighbors and doing shots with everyone parked in your row? Drinking is a part of college football, and I’m not complaining about that.
What I’m complaining about is the fucking idiot who thinks its cool to black out before the game…his (or her) limbs are still functional, but it take a drunken friend on either side to help them walk to their seat. Once there, they sway against nearby fans, do stupid shit that makes the entire section look retarded, and start fights with opposing fans, the mascot, and just about everyone else who isn’t drunk as well.
Here’s a thought: why don’t you save yourself the $40 or so you paid for the ticket and just stay in the parking lot? Better yet, how about you pretend for a second that you’re a damn adult. I don’t care if college is all about partying for you - you’re an idiot and you’re ruining my football game.
2. The Boo-er
I’m a Penn State fan, which means that I’ve had to deal with Anthony Morelli as a QB the last few years. He stunk; I get it. He’s still a Penn State player though, so there’s no reason to boo him every time he runs onto the field. I can understand some groaning when a team makes and error, but whether you’re the QB or another important player on the team, hearing your own fans booing you is not going to help you play better.
If you aren’t here to support your team - your WHOLE team - go the hell home.
(Picture via Bobek at Wikipedia)
3. The Stats-Head Nerd
Thank god none of my friends fall into this category. I might have killed myself. I’ve heard people like this before, and they make me want to eat a baby. You know who I mean - the people who know all the stats and news for all the players on the field.
Trust me, I love that you’re here reading my blog. It’s pretty cool that you think some tidbit of information I give you is interesting enough to memorize. When it’s 4th and 3 and they’re going for it? That’s not the time to tell someone your fun little fact.
Seriously. Shut up. Watch the game. It really isn’t hard.
Double the trouble: when two stats-heads get together. It’s like a cock fight to see who can quote the most interesting information.
4. The Prascot
The Pretend Mascot, or Prascot as I affectionately call him, has his heart in the right place. School spirit is super cool, and it is nice to get into the game. There’s a line though, and Prascots don’t seem to know that line.
For example…the douchebag running up and down the aisles in full body paint trying to get the wave to start for the tenth time? Just sit down man. The idiot yelling “WE ARE” over and over again with only his embarrassed friend and the drunken idiot (see #1) replaying “PENN STATE” (or replace that with your school’s battle cry)? Shut the hell up. Let the mascot do his job and if you love you school that much that you just can’t hold it in, become a male cheerleader.
(picture via Joe Mabel at Wikipedia)
5. The Way-Too-Old Guy Sitting in the Student Section
You’re creepy. I don’t know how you got in, but you’re creepy, especially when you flirt with the co-ed seated next to you.
*Shudder*
I don’t care if you ARE a continuing ed student, for the record. It’s still creepy when you’re watching a game with a bunch of 21-year-olds and staring at barely-legal boobs the whole time.
6. The Bored Girl Texting her Friends
These people just piss me off. I get it - you’re not a college football fan. WHY did you come to the game, then? You’re obviously so bored that you’re playing snake on your phone, only looking up to clap when the crowd goes wild. If you don’t know what a first down is, stay in the parking lot.
The reason these people piss me off is because for many games, no matter who your team may be, tickets are hard to find. So every bored non-fan spending the game texting about hair products and boy bands could have been one legitimate fan enjoying the game instead of cooking burgers in the parking lot.
7. The Fair-Weather Fan
This one doesn’t need a lot of explaining, and I’m sure that you’ve met a few so-called “fans” like this during your life.
If you’re just jumping on the band wagon because a team is having a good year…you suck. You suck Charlie Weis’ sweaty, post-game, hairy balls. Or Bobby Bowden’s old, post-game, wrinkled balls. Whatever you prefer, I suppose.
Be a man - stick with your team through thick and thin…or don’t pretend that you are really a fan.
(Picture via UserB at Wikipedia)
8. The Un-fan
I truly don’t understand these people. I’ll just call them “un-fans” for lack of a better term. They come to the game SUPER excited, with all the logo garb and maybe even some face paint. Yet ask them, and they don’t even know the quarterback’s name or who we’re playing.
I mean, I guess there is something to be said for enjoying college football, no matter what team you’re watching, but I feel like you’re pretending to be a fan when, like with the “board girl”, a legitimate fan who’s stuck outside without a ticket could be taking your place. If you LOVE college football, but don’t cheer for or follow any team, you’re highly suspect in my book.
9. The Sitter
This probably only applies to the student section, but can also apply to other sections as well. In the student section, at least at Penn State, everyone stands during the entire game. I suspect that in other sections there is a little more sitting going on, but nevertheless, there are times in the game where you stand.
There’s always that one person who insists on sitting.
Guess what? You’re ruining things for the people standing around you. The person in front of you feels awkward because his ass is basically in your face and the person behind you can’t really stand comfortably because when you sit, your back invades his leg space.
Follow the crowd and if you don’t like standing…ever…don’t come to the game - watch it from your couch at home, fat ass.
10. Fanzilla
At the end of every football game, one of the teams loses and the other wins. I hate…HATE…ass holes who seem to take it personally. YOUR TEAM LOST. BETTER LUCK NEXT WEEK. There’s no need to punch a wall, snap at anyone talking to you, or start shit with fans of the opposing team. Re-fucking-lax.
Worse yet are the “fanzilla” who are dicks even when their team wins. Walking around like a poor sport and taunting the fans of the opposing team makes your entire school look bad.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment!
All pictures, unless otherwise noted, at via sxc.hu.
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By Allison -- 1 comment
July 6th, 2008
Missouri’s Chase Daniel was a Heisman contender in 2007. A year later, do experts think that he could be a 2008 contender, possibly winning it all?
Although Daniel has been criticized for being a “non-pro” player (ie, many don’t think he’ll draft well or play well in the NFL), he was recently named the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year. This isn’t just a football award - this is a complete conference sports award. Last year, the award went to another Tiger - Ben Askren, a former wrestler for Missouri.
“What a great honor, this is a really special award to have your name attached to,” said Daniel. “There are so many great athletes in this league in all the sports, it means a lot to be chosen over everyone else. I’d like to accept the award on behalf of my teammates and coaches, I know you have to put one person’s name on the award, but I really see this as our team being rewarded for everything we did together,”
I absolutely believe that Daniel could go on to win the Heisman this year. I don’t think the Missouri team will be a BCS Championship team in 2008, but that doesn’t automatically mean that Daniel isn’t the best player out there. And hey, teams have proven me wrong before.
You can read more at the MU football website.
Picture via Newscom.
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By Allison -- 0 comments
July 5th, 2008
Are you gearing up to the first game of the season? Most teams have announced who they’re playing, when, and where…so here’s a little list of the SEC games taking place during Week One - I’ll give you another update closer to that time!
SEC Games during Week One - Thursday, August 28 - Monday, September 1 (times are all EST)
Alabama @ Clemson: Saturday at 8:00 PM
Arkansas hosting Western Illinois: Saturday, time TBA
Auburn hosting Louisiana-Monroe: Saturday at 7:00 PM
Florida hosting Hawaii: Saturday at 12:30 PM
Gerogia hosting Georgia Southern: Saturday at 12:30 PM
Kentucky @ Louisville: Sunday at 3:30 PM
LSU hosting Appalachian State: Saturday at 5:00 PM
Mississippi hosting Memphis: Saturday, time TBA
Mississippi State @ Louisiana Tech: Saturday at 6:45 PM
South Carolina hosting North Carolina State: Thursday at 8:00 PM
Tennessee @ UCLA: Monday at 8:00 PM
Vanderbilt @ Miami (OH): Thursday at 7:30 PM
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By Allison -- 1 comment
July 4th, 2008
Back in May, I told you all about how a number of head coaches decided to take some time away from their schools and visit our troops in the Middle East. Making the trip were coaches Mark Richt (Georgia), Randy Shannon (Miami/FL), Jack Siedlecki (Yale), Charlie Weis (Notre Dame), and Tommy Tuberville (Auburn). Yesterday, Auburn’s website posted a really great piece with reactions from Tuberville about the tour.
“I wish I could have taken my players over there to be a part of this. I think they really would have learned, `Hey, I’ve got it pretty good over here.’ A lot of times you think that this generation is a little bit aloof and they don’t care much because they have so many material things, but I was really impressed by the attitude of all the young people over there. “
The coaches got to meet with troops as well, upon returning home, visit the White House to talk with President Bush.
I highly recommend checking out Auburn’s website to read the whole story! Every day, we follow college football news, but there are much bigger things going on with the world; it is nice to see that these coaches were willing to travel to a dangerous place just to raise morale.
Picture from J. Glover, Atlanta, Georgia via Wikimedia.
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By Allison -- 0 comments
July 2nd, 2008
Even though I have a deep love for Penn State, which in turn means a deep hatred for Michigan, I will admit that former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler was one of the greatest coached not just in the Big Ten, but in all of college football.
To honor his memory, local Ann Arbor artist Johnnie Dew donated a large painting of Schembechler to the UM football program. Cathy Schembechler, Bo’s widow, chose the picture used for reference and Dew spend over 200 hours creating the masterpiece, which now hangs in Schembechler Hall.
Prints are also available for a limited time with proceeds going toward the Schembechler Scholarship Fund. You can read more and see pictures of the painting and learn how to order prints at Michigan’s website.
Picture via Newscom.
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By Allison -- 0 comments
June 30th, 2008
Today, it was announced that a player from Georgia Tech, Jerrard Tarrent, has been charged with raping a girl in an dorm room this past April. She reported the incident the next morning, although the charges are just now hitting the media.
Now don’t get me wrong - I don’t know his unknown accuser. What she is saying could be very real and very serious, and if so, my heart goes out to this girl.
On the other hand, I don’t know Tarrent either. When it comes to rape, it seems like the person is always guilty until proven innocent instead of the other way around. I’m in no way saying that rape shouldn’t be taken seriously. At the same time, it seems that these days, rape is a dime a dozen on college campus.
That means one of two things: there are a lot of men disrespecting women or there are a lot of women lying to “get back” at men.
Unfortunately, although many rapes are real, in my experiences, most of the people who have cried rape have been lying. At my small college, for example, there was a girl who called rape her senior year. There wasn’t proof of anything, since she reported it a few days after the fact, and the case was ultimately dropped. Later that year, she actually started dating the guy she claimed had raped her. Do you think she was telling the truth about the rape or trying to get his attention?
Unfortunately for that guy, he was kicked off a sports team and the sneaky looks and gossip behind his back went on until the day he graduated. No one wanted to party with him, especially alone.
In any case, what I’m whole-heartedly suggesting is that Tarrent is innocent until proven guilty, and I hope everyone will treat him as such. He was a potential starting cornerback for Georgia Tech, and that’s been taken away, as he’s be suspended from the football team already.
I mean no disrespect to anyone who’s been raped. If he forced himself on this girl, I hope that the legal system brings him to justice, and I hope he has trouble living with himself. But if, like is too often the case, he didn’t rape her? I hope that he’ll be able to work past these charges and have a successful football career.
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By Allison -- 0 comments
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