I mean seriously lets look at some of the stuff that has happened since mid  last NFL season.. The NFL players and owners have lost their minds, and expect the fans to stand around and wait while they finish fighting over millions of dollars. You know the classic Millionaires V Billionaires. Heads up players, if your having money problems stop buying 10 cars to park in front of your million dollar homes. Stop spending $5,000 dollars a month of feeding your sharks, oh wait sorry thats Gilbert Arenes, wrong sport. The NBA will get there chance to do battle after the season is over. With their CBA set to expire after the NBA Finals.

Barry Bonds beats the wrap for being a cheater. *I took steroids, but I didn’t know what I was taking* Riiiiight! Man I would have been held in contempt of court when I jumped out of my seat during that trial to ask the most obvious question ever. So Mr. Bonds do you often let men poke you in the ass with a needle, and not ask then what they are putting in you? I mean seriously did you even get a kiss or dinner first? Ok so that was more like 2 questions, but you get the idea..

King James took his talents to South Beach, and is now D-Wade’s bitch, er umm I mean team mate. This team was supposed to just run through the regular season with ease, but somehow still have zero chemistry, and can’t seem to figure out how to put teams away in the 4th quarter. Hey guys I’m not on the team or anything, and I don’t get paid a fat salary to analyze the NBA for ESPN, but I’m pretty sure its called defense. It was real easy for the Heat to look like superstars against the scrubs of the league, but they are absolutely horrible against teams with winning records. Sure they are going to get by the 76′ers in the first round of the playoffs, but I’m sure they will get their clocks cleaned by the Celtics in the next round.

Carmelo Anthony whined his way out of Denver, and Denver got better? Ummm makes you wonder whats really going on with that one. Knick fans are happy they made the playoffs so I guess the New York media will not be to harsh on Mr. Anthony for not being a player that will make others around him better. Like Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, and a hand full of other you know legit superstars in the league. One question still remains though, its the NBA so who really cares anyway? The NBA as I knew it died when it became more about the flash and glam, and less about the game. You know back when they had legit rivalries like the Pacers/Knicks, Celtic/Lakers, and the Bulls/Pistons.

Last but not least The Packers won the Superbowl! Aaron Rodgers finally gets the respect he deserves, and that franchise can FINALLY move out of the shadow of Brett Favre! Ted Thompson doesn’t look so stupid now does he? I’m just saying.

With all these things going on its an NCAA investigation that gets the creative juices flowing, and the desire to log back into this website that has just sat in cyberspacefor months. Jim Tressel (Ol’ Sweater Vest) as some of us like to call him has gotten busted *AGAIN* by the NCAA for basically being stupid. Man if your gonna cheat be smart about it, and if you know your about to get hammered, take a note from Pete Carroll’s book and take the WORST job in the NFL to avoid the NCAA like the plague. How stupid do you have to be to ignore emails from a former student , a lawyer mind you, telling you that your players are selling their stuff to make money? Now one can argue that since its the players, they should be able to do what they want with it, but thats another discussion for another time.

I’d like to imagine that Jim was sitting in his office one Monday morning sipping his morning coffee (with his pinky sticking straight up cause he looks like thats how he rolls), classical music playing softly in the background while checking his email. He sees this email marked URGENT, scans through it, and then thinks to himself, *I’m Jim Tressel, I am The Ohio State* and dismissed it. Never once actually thinking, *You know maybe I should take this to my A.D. so I can cover my ass, I would sure hate to lose this cushy job*. *I mean all I have to do is win this soft ass BS schedule that I put together year in and year out, and make a bowl appearance. Then when I get out coached, and my team gets steam rolled I’ll just blame the days off between the end of the season and the bowl game, and the boosters and A.D. will give me the at’ta boy, and tell me *We will get’em next year*

So when *The Ohio State* gets wind of this, the slap Jim on the wrist with a hefty looking fine of $250,000. Sure on the surface this looks like its a lot of money, but its really not. Especially since Jim, who makes roughly $3.5 million dollars a year, wont be cracking open his checkbook for this. You know the school and boosters will be the ones writing out the checks to pay this fine. Tressel will also be suspended for a few games next year, during the meat of his soft NON CONFERENCE schedule against some *Sister of the poor* school. Sorry bad joke!  Now after all this *The Ohio State* can say *We took care of it ourselves, please don’t come look under this carpet we swept everything under*.  What a joke!

Just to save face the NCAA is now taking a *serious* look into the activities of Tressel saying he was completely honest with them about what he knew. Well no shit ya think? Lets see if he told you everything he knew, then his Bust, er um star Terrell Pryor wouldn’t have been able to play all season because he and 4 of his teammates would have been found ineligible! You know kinda like Cam Newton should have been last year, damnit, must staaaaaay focused!

Face facts Buckeye fans your coach is a fraud, this is his second time getting smacked around by the NCAA. Not saying that it isn’t going on all over the country, but at least for this week its Tressel under fire for being stupid. If *The Ohio State* was smart they would fire Tressel, deal with what the NCAA hands down, and move on. Something to think about if you, as a fan of the Buckeyes can be honest with yourselves. However since most of you can’t be objective, I’m sure there is a website or message board you can vent your frustrations on. Fellow fans will be the only ones in the college football world to think that Tressel should remain the head coach of your beloved Buckeyes..

Freshman James White rushed for four touchdowns, Scott Tolzien threw for three more scores and No. 11 Wisconsin steamrolled Austin Peay 70-3 on Saturday.

The Badgers (4-0) rolled in their final warmup for conference play, scoring touchdowns on all seven of their first-half possessions to take a 49-3 lead at halftime. It was a modern-era record for the Badgers, whose previous high was 69 points in a victory over New Mexico State in 1962.

John Clay rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown and fullback Bradie Ewing also had touchdowns rushing and receiving.

Stephen Stansell’s 51-yard field goal was about the only highlight of the day for the Governors (2-2), a Football Championship Subdivision team playing its first game against a Big Ten team.

Who sets up these schedules? Seriously! The Mr and I were talking about this match up this morning, and neither of us have ever even heard of Austin Peay. Since he’s a Wisconsin alumni, he feels compelled to watch the games, but honestly, I can’t imagine this was even worth turning on the idjit box. 70-3? Sheesh!

So for the last few months rumors have been flying about some major moves in various conferences around college football.  There has been talk about the Big 10 (which is actually the big 11) adding 4 more schools.  There was talk about the SEC inviting schools in to make a super conference.  Now the PAC 10 is jumping on board with talks of adding schools to make a mega conference. At the center of all these rumors, Texas and Oklahoma. Lets be perfectly clear about one thing. In all these rumor scenarios, Texas is in the drivers seat. Forget Notre Dame and their *independent* status,  to these other conferences its all about the Texas Longhorns.

The Big 12 is a skeleton of itself these days,  and gets very little national media love.  Texas and Oklahoma are the exception to that statement.  The Big 12  (as a conference) has not seen much love since it was a dominate force to be reckoned with.  College football fans remember when going to Lincoln Nebraska was a terrifying experience.  When you saw R.C. Slocum and his Texas A & M Aggies on your schedule, you better pack a lunch cause it was going to be a long day.  Now a days  teams and fans mark both dates down as a win on the pre season schedule.  There has been one season in the last 10 years where multiple teams in the Big 12 were getting national love, and the BCS had ranked in the top ten.  For one glorious season  Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State found themselves ranked in the top ten for multiple weeks during the season.  The next year, Texas and Oklahoma were the only teams to consistently remain ranked in the top ten.  Oklahoma State would sniff the top ten, but only for a short time.  Let us not forget Mike Van Gundy is a man, he is forty!

The discussion of Texas and Oklahoma moving to another conference is an interesting one, and I really hope both schools make their *pros and cons* list prior to making any decisions.  If one school moves to another conference, the other will follow.  So here are a few things to think about.  Since Texas and Oklahoma have been brought up in the rumors surrounding the Big 10, PAC 10 and SEC  let me address a few of my concerns for each conference.

SEC

- It is easy for Mack Brown and Big game Bob Stoops to look really good when they are big fish in a little pond.  I don’t think either team would be as dominate in the SEC.  Game planning for an SEC team in a BCS bowl game is one thing, but on a week in week out scenario the 9-3 or better season both teams have become accustom to will no longer be an almost guaranteed thing.  Having to deal with the likes of Alabama and Florida year in and year out prove to much for both coaches to handle.  Though Texas to the SEC would bring back some of the old rivalries between Texas, Alabama, and Arkansas.  Old school fans of the Southwest Conference would salivate at seeing those teams on Texas schedule.

Big 10

- Geographic nightmare for both schools. And lets face it the Big 10 is one step up from the Big 12.  Thought I would like to see Texas and Oklahoma play Wisconsin and Penn State at least every other year.  Yes the Big 10 has its own cable channel, but lets face it there are only a handful of teams that get national love.  So in my opinion this would be a lateral move for both schools.

PAC-10

- After further review this one actually has me interested. Especially if the reports of the 6 teams the PAC-10 is trying to cherry pick from the Big 12 is correct.  Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Colorado. Once again Texas is in the drivers seat and the fate of the Big 12 rests squarely on Texas shoulders.  Oklahoma goes where Texas goes, and meanwhile Texas A&M and Oklahoma State are sitting in the back row begging the big boys to take them with them.  I will not go as far as to say if this expansion happens the PAC 10 will be more dominate then the SEC.  Financially speaking though this potential mega conference would make more money then any other conference in college football.  7 of the 10 major markets are all about Pac 10 football.  The Pac 10 has already made an offer to each of the 6 schools, $20 million a year to each school for making the conference switch.  Now add in the TV contract, this could very well turn into a billion dollar conference.  I must say some of the potential season team schedules could be very interesting.

The Big 10 and the PAC -10 need Texas and Oklahoma more then Texas and Oklahoma need the PAC 10.  I guess we will just have to wait and see.  While talking to Liverdamage last night he made the comment, *man I really miss the Southwest Conference*. Your not the only one buddy..

Colt McCoy completed all 46 passes during his Pro Day workout today. McCoy needed to have a solid Pro Day since he was unable to participate in the scouting combine.  I still see him being drafted early to mid second round.  His favorite target Jordan Shipley will most likely go between the 4th and 6th round.  Early projected first round draft picks are all defensive players, which is little surprise.

Southern California coach Lane Kiffin is apparently trying to get the inside track on recruiting a 13-year-old quarterback from Delaware.

The father of David Sills says Lane talked to the seventh-grader by phone Thursday and that the coach told the boy he’d like to have him come to USC. The boy’s answer, according to his father, was: “Absolutely.”

The Delaware News Journal first reported the story.

The father, David Sills IV, told The Associated Press on Friday that he also spoke to Kiffin and was shocked to have his son receive the nonbinding offer. The elder Sills says he is comfortable with his son’s early commitment.

NCAA rules prohibit coaches and school officials from speaking publicly about unsigned prospects.

There is one obviously fact that stands out here. The kid is THIRTEEN YEARS OLD! I realize that today’s kids are supposedly more ‘mature’ (I’ll dispute that some other time), but honestly, how many 13 year olds have the same goals at the age of 17 or 18? Perhaps this young’un will, but there are a lot of things that could happen between now and the time he graduates from high school. What if he doesn’t grow enough? What if he turns out to be a scrawny little wimp?

For a school to even be that interested in such a young boy is, to say the least, kind of creepy.  Is Dad being ‘comfortable’ one of those living vicariously type of things?

Most years Pete Carroll struggles to keep his superstar players from leaving USC and heading to the NFL. This season he is following them.  Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed *in principle* to a deal that is worth $35 million over the next 5 years.  Pete Carroll didn’t need the extra $2 million dollar a year raise, but more like a way off the sinking ship know as USC athletics.  Reggie Bush,  O.J. Mayo, and Joe McKnight have all become icebergs that have  punched holes in Carrolls once thought to be unsinkable USC ocean liner.  Ok so O.J. Mayo rode on a different ocean liner, but you get the idea.

You have to think with Reggie Bush’s court case with New Era Sports moving forward, and Joe McKnight deciding to enter the upcoming NFL draft Pete Carroll is starting to see the writing on the wall.  Things could start getting very sticky for the soon to be ex head coach if he is called in for questioning as expected when Reggie Bush’s case moves into a court room.  It’s no surprise that Joe McKnight has declared for the draft, after he was spotted driving a Range Rover around. How stupid do you have to be to park your *girlfriends* Ranger Rover outside the USC practice facility? I guess McKnight thought that it would be ok since the the SUV is registered to his girlfriend. He would like us to believe she also makes the $500+ a month payment on it, yeah right. The down payment for the SUV was paid for by an *old friend of the family*, who apparently has no ties with USC football. Once again I say, yeah right.

Due to the allegations that circle around O.J. Mayo the USC basketball program will not be playing in the NCAA tournament this year.  What will come next for USC’s football program is uncertain. One thing that is for certain, players have been getting paid for decades, this is nothing new.  I would expect USC to be placed on probation if these allegations are proven true. One thing USC can be thankful for, they don’t have to be worried about receiving the NCAA death penalty like SMU did in the 80′s. I think the NCAA learned it lesson with that one.

As for Pete Carrolls sudden departure from USC, he knows its time to grab a seat on a life boat and get comfortable. Truth be told if Joe McKnight had never parked his Range Rover in the parking lot of the practice facility, Pete Carroll would be returning next season as USC’s head coach. Various NFL teams have tried to bring Carroll in as their head coach over the years, and Carroll has always declined the job offer. So why now? It all comes back to the fact that once his ocean liner sinks into the icy cold water known as an NCAA investigation, he knows its all over for him at USC and possibly his coaching career.

]]> http://www.ickscorner.com/2010/01/see-the-writing-on-the-wall/feed/ 5 http://www.ickscorner.com/2010/01/sorry-ick/ http://www.ickscorner.com/2010/01/sorry-ick/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:27:38 +0000 olbroad http://www.ickscorner.com/?p=4362 55% Predict Alabama Will Win BCS Championship

Call it the battle of the Heisman contenders – Mark Ingram, Alabama’s star running back who won the coveted trophy this year, and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy who was a runner-up. Tonight the two top college football teams in the country battle for the national championship, and fans predict Alabama will be the winner.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 55% of those who regularly watch college football either on television or at the stadium think Alabama will win the end-of-the-season BCS title game.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) expect Texas to come out on top.

Well, who knows…..maybe those 55% will be sadly disappointed. Just a thought.

Its being reported that Urban Myers is stepping down as the head coach of the Florida Gators.  We know that the Notre Dame job is no longer an option, so I wonder where Urban Myers is heading.  Perhaps he is heading to the NFL??  This is a statement that was released by Urban Myers within the hour…

“I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program,” Meyer, 45, said in statement. “I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to reevaluate my priorities of faith and family.

“After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.” “I’m proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.”

I want you guys to pay close attention to the words on this Heisman Ballot.  “As my first choice to receive the Heisman Memorial Trophy, awarded to the MOST OUTSTANDING COLLEGE PLAYER” Boy the voters really got it right this year.. *shakes head*  Mark Ingram, really? You mean to tell me the voters feel he is the MOST OUTSTANDING college player this year?  He isn’t even the best player on his own team.  This proves to me that several voters based their decision on one game (SEC Championship Game) and that t0 many people who don’t want enough college football have a vote.  Alabama fans look in the mirror and ask yourself an honest question. *If we took Mark Ingram off the Tide, would we still be undefeated*?  The answer would most likely be yes.  Don’t get me wrong Mark Ingram is a great player, and will be playing for someone on Sundays, but he was not the MOST OUTSTANDING player in college football this year.

Colt McCoy had a solid season this year, but his numbers were down from last year. He didn’t win the Heisman last year with better numbers, so I didn’t expect him to win this year. Nor do I feel he is the MOST OUTSTANDING player in college football this year.  Tim Tebow along with Colt McCoy  had great careers at the college level, but the Heisman isn’t about your body of work.  Toby Gerhart,  Mark Ingram, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow, all great players in their own right, but the voters got it wrong this year.  This years Heisman should have gone to a defensive player!

Ndamukong Suh was the MOST OUTSTANDING player in college football this year.  There are only two reasons he didn’t win this year in my opinion.

1. He is a defensive player, and apparently the Heisman can only be given to offensive players. Yes Charles Woodson won the award in 1997 but he played defense, offense, and was a part of special teams.  He was also the ONLY primarily Defensive player to ever win the award.

2. Nebraska didn’t win the Big 12 Championship.  Nebraska didn’t finish the season undefeated, they are not playing in a BCS bowl game. And I’ll go ahead and say it, Nebraska doesn’t play in the SEC.

Just a random thought but I wonder who Tim Tebow voted for this year. I’d be willing to bet his vote was cast for someone in the SEC, and it wasn’t himself.  If the Heisman was a beauty contest, the voters voted for a 6 (  the girl that is cool to hang out with,  somewhat attractive) when they could have voted for the 10 ( smokin hot girl that is the complete package)

And while I pissing the world off blasting the Heisman voters, and Alabama’s first Heisman winner I’ll go ahead and throw this out there as well. College football needs a playoff system.  Perhaps someday the BCS and college football will remember that college football is a sport, and not a business. They claim the BCS is only designed to put the number one team and number two team together, but we all know that is a load of crap. The powers that be pick teams for the BCS bowl games based on who has the best traveling fan base. It all comes down to the all mighty dollar.  How do you determine a true number one in the country without some sort of playoff system? You leave it up to the voters, and we see how well the voters did when asked to vote on a Heisman winner.