Bleacher Report - Articles by Brian Scott

Road Cats? A Look at the LSU Tigers’ 2009 Travel Games

Brian Scott — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:14:07 -0400

Most people do their best work in a familiar environment, like their home turf. Heck, I don’t even like using public bathrooms – no magazines. The same can be said for football teams, and dominance on the road is a vital key to achieving that 10-plus win season. There is much anticipation down the bayou as the 2009 LSU football season draws nearer. LSU fans are still reeling from College World Series victory that brought a sixth national title back to Baton Rouge – and a return to college baseball glory. There are many questions surrounding the ’09 Football Tigers, but the main one is sure to be, “Will they bounce back from 2008?” 2008 was by all accounts a disappointing season filled with weak defense and a quarterback who had significant trouble determining which receivers were on his team. Perhaps that is why LSU announced a slight change to the ’09 jersey that will include “LSU” on the front below the neckline. The other questions span from how Jordan Jefferson will perform, how the coaches will use the heralded recruit Russell Shepard, will Reuben Randle see significant playing time, who will replace former kicker and all-time leading LSU scorer Colt David, and please God…let John Chavis toughen up that defense! (I know, that’s not a question. I get it!) But one of the main things standing between the Tigers and Atlanta is something beyond their control – the road schedule. LSU faces some tough tests in and out of conference, but the spacing of the away schedule should give the Tigers all the time they need to steal a few on the road

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An Inside Look at the 2009 New Orleans Saints Coaching Staff

Brian Scott — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:38:17 -0400

The 2009 off-season has brought several major changes to the Saints coaching staff. In this piece, we'll examine who the new key coaches are, who got promoted, and what each man will bring to the table in 2009. The most notable changes are at offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, running backs coach, and defensive line coach. The mixture of new and old faces on Sean Payton's staff is expected to breathe new life into the team in 2009, especially on defense.

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The Top 15 Questions I Would Ask Drew Brees

Brian Scott — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:18:53 -0400

If I could sit down one-on-one with Drew Brees, I would probably come up with at least a million questions to ask him. Fortunately for the readers, I have narrowed it down to only fifteen:

1. You’re half-way through your six-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. What has your experience been like in New Orleans—both on and off the field?

2. It has been widely reported that you and your wife Brittany feel like you have found a home here in New Orleans. Could you see yourself retiring as a New Orleans Saint?

3. What are some of the ways that the Drew and Brittany Brees Dream Foundation has impacted the children of New Orleans, as well as around the country?

4. Which is the better Mardi Gras experience; being a spectator, or being the Grand Marshal of the Bacchus Parade? (Brees was given this honor in 2007. The Krewe of Bacchus, named for the god of wine, is a very popular parade that rolls on the Sunday prior to Fat Tuesday)

5. Do you agree with Reggie Bush’s prediction to Regis Philbin that this will be the year the Saints make it to the Super Bowl?

6. Which hurt more; losing the 2006 NFC Championship Game, your shoulder after the 2007 Pro Bowl, or falling 16 yards short of breaking Dan Marino’s single-season passing record last year?

7. Scouts have criticized your height throughout your career, but it hasn’t stopped you from becoming the top-rated quarterback in the NFL. Have you ever considered adding at least one more step to your drop to avoid having some of your passes swatted at the line?

8. Personal feelings aside, how do you feel the release of Deuce McAllister will affect your offense’s rushing attack this season?

9. How will the release of Mike Karney impact not only the success of the running game, but also your own protection in the pocket?

10. What is your confidence level in your offensive front this season? Do you see any immediate areas of improvement?

11. Do you feel that the coaching staff has set forth realistic goals for the team in 2009?

12. The Saints have signed several offensive free agents in the offseason. What has been your impression of the new players so far?

13. You have now practiced against Gregg Williams’ new defense. What are the main differences you have seen as compared to Gary Gibbs’ defense?

14. You have obviously been the standout team leader since coming to New Orleans, and Sean Payton has made no secret that your leadership skills are a large part of why he wanted you as his starting quarterback. What other players, young or old, have seemed to step up and take leadership roles this offseason?

15. Much of the criticism levied at the Saints over the last two seasons have rested with the defense. What do you feel are key improvements the offense can make in order to finally get past the playoff drought?

I plan to actually interview Drew Brees this season, so please stay tuned for version two of this article, which will contain the answers to the preceding questions.

Offseason Shake-Ups Are Sure To Shape the 2009 Saints

Brian Scott — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:48:10 -0400

Most Saints fans fully expected the majority of the offseason tweaking would come on the defensive side of the ball, and they were right.

Gary Gibbs was dismissed as the team's defensive coordinator and Gregg Williams was brought in. Williams has a reputation of producing the "in-your-face-" style defenses that head coach Sean Payton was looking for.

Payton, along with Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, showed their confidence in Williams by giving him three out of the team’s four total draft picks in 2009. It had been widely reported the offensive-minded Payton and Loomis were interested in picking up Ohio State standout running back Chris "Beanie" Wells to replace big back Deuce McAllister, who was released in the offseason.

The Saints did tap some Ohio State talent, however, by picking up cornerback Malcolm Jenkins as the 14th overall selection in this year's draft. Saints officials are hoping that Jenkins will be a major position upgrade for a secondary corps that has been extremely porous in the last few seasons.

Look for the Saints to use Jenkins' size and aggressiveness to match up against the division's talent-rich tight end corps to stop the long gains the secondary has become infamous for. The unit gave fits to the fans by giving up 53 pass completions for 20-plus yards in 2008.

If all goes well in summer camp, the fans may get their wish by seeing Jenkins pass up one of the biggest targets of the "Who Dat" ire, Jason David, on the cornerback depth chart.

Saints management didn't make many changes on the defensive front seven in the offseason. But the biggest defensive news, next to the acquisition of Gregg Williams and Malcolm Jenkins, was the re-signing of linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Vilma anchors a talented linebacker corps that has shown consistency against the rush as well as impressive red zone statistics.

Another member of the defense the coaching staff expects big things from in 2009 is defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. Ellis made headlines in New Orleans last fall by not showing up to fall camp while his contract was still being negotiated.

He eventually joined the camp and quickly got up to speed. Ellis showed several flashed of brilliance in his rookie season and Saints officials are looking for him to build on that as the team unveils their new defense in 2009.

But what about on the other side of the ball? Would Saints officials want to change anything about the number one offense in the NFL? Well, they did.

Of course, Drew Brees will be back under center and remain the overall team leader this season. But what about his supporting cast? After all, Brees needs guys to hand off to and pass to.

Let's start with the backfield. Saints management shocked and saddened the "Who Dat" nation by releasing the beloved running back Deuce McAllister earlier this year. The Saints didn't use Deuce much last year and probably to their detriment as they failed to convert on many down and short situations.

A few of those failed conversions were the difference between winning and losing, which drove the fans nuts.

By now, everyone knows the Saints plan to use Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush as their new "thunder and lightning" tandem approach to the rushing game. I think most fans agree the proof will be in the pudding.

But one offseason move we haven't seen much analysis on is the impact of the release of fullback Mike Karney. Karney blew open a lot of holes for the guys that made the touchdowns in the last few years. He also often served as the last line of defense between a big, speedy defensive back and Drew Brees.

The fear is that we may not notice his absence on the field until somebody ends up hurt. Let's hope the coaching staff has a plan.

With all of the Saints' receiving corps coming back, including the re-signing of deep ball threat Devery Henderson, Drew Brees will have plenty of targets to hit in 2009. Let's just hope he has enough time to find one of them.

The coaches would like to see big man Marques Colston return to his rookie form after having arthroscopic surgery to fix a nagging knee injury. Colston hauled in 47 receptions for 760 yards and five touchdowns last season.

Robert Meachem, the Saints' first overall pick in the 2008 draft, is also poised to break out this season. Meachem has been impressing coaches in his offseason workouts and figures to be in the mix on many of the big passing plays this year.

Assuming that tight end Jeremy Shockey stays out of trouble long enough to hit the field, he should take on a larger role in the 2009 Saints offense. Brees likes to throw short darts, and he does so very well. If Shockey can shake the bricks off his hands, he just might be one of the team's most dangerous third down weapons.

One area of the Saints offense that we hope to see little, if any change in is with quarterback Drew Brees. Brees finished the season as the top quarterback in the NFL and came only 16 yards shy of breaking Dan Marino's single-season passing record set in 1984.

Brees has every opportunity to take another shot at breaking that record, but you can bet that the highly competitive quarterback will be much more focused on getting his team into the post-season.

Overall, the Saints offseason activity seems to have been geared toward accomplishing that very goal. If Gregg Williams can turn things around on defense just somewhat, it should be plenty enough for the high-powered offense to slide into a playoff spot this season.

Being a “Who Dat”…and Other Lessons in Self Deprecation

Brian Scott — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:03:33 -0400

They say you have to have faith to be a Saints fan. This may be the understatement of all times.

My earliest recollection of the New Orleans Saints came from my grandfather, who was a huge Saints fan and a season ticket holder. He tried to explain what it meant to believe in a team no matter what by telling me the story of a time when he almost gave up on his beloved Black and Gold.

It was Nov. 8, 1970. The Saints were still playing their home games at the old Tulane Stadium on Claiborne Avenue, not too far from where I live now. The Saints were playing the Detroit Lions, and as usual, they were losing. The score was 17-16 and there were two seconds left on the game clock.

The Saints sent in place kicker Tom Dempsey, who ironically had been born without any toes and had to wear a special shoe with a flat front surface, to attempt the impossible 63-yard field goal for the win. The previous record long field goal was only 56 yards.

Seeing the writing on the wall, my grandfather got up from his seat and started making his way to the exit. Before he was able to get out, the ground shook beneath him as the crowd roared.

He turned around to see the entire Saints team rush the field in celebration, Dempsey had made the field goal and the Saints won the game 19-17. By the way, that 63-yard record still stands today.

You just gotta have faith.

I wish I could tell you that most Saints stories ended that way, but I’d be lying, In fact, the hardest part about being a member of the “Who Dat” Nation is not that the Saints lose, it’s the glorious fashion in which they lose.

They bring you right to the brink, right to edge. They make you believe that this game, this season will be different.

Then they let the other team drive 70 yards with one minute left and kick the game winning field goal, leaving the “Who Dats” feeling like Charlie Brown after Lucy yanks the football away and sends us flying through the air yelling, “AAUGH!”

There are many examples from my youth from which I can draw the negative inspiration it takes to underline my point. I’m even old enough to have vague memories of the fans wearing brown paper bags over their heads following the 1980 season when the Saints went 1-15.

Let’s see...there is the 1983 season, when the Saints’ playoff hopes came down to the final game of the season against the Los Angeles Rams. The Saints were up for the entire game and everyone could already taste the playoffs.

But the Rams scored three touchdowns, two off of interceptions and another off of a punt return, to put them in striking distance of a win.

Another Rams drive put kicker Mike Lansford only 42 yards away from victory with six seconds on the clock. The ball went through the uprights and perpetuated the franchise’s seat in postseason purgatory.

There is also the story of the 1987 Saints, who were the first to get to a playoff game, only to be blown out 44-10. Hey, at least they got there, right?

You can’t forget about the NFC West Division Champion 1991 Saints, who started the season 7-0, and got back to the playoffs against Atlanta. The tradition of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory carried on, however, as the Falcons came from behind to win that one 27-20.

But my all time favorite has to be the 2003 Saints. This team really epitomized what it’s like to be a lifelong Saints fan on an emotional level. Here’s a team that started off 1-4, only to have the stars align just right so that if they beat Jacksonville at the end of the season, they could earn a spot in the playoffs.

Trailing by seven with only six ticks left on the clock, the Saints lined up for a second and ten on their own 25 yard line. What happened next was the stuff of legends. The Saints made three awkward laterals that looked more like a bunch of kids playing “hot potato” in the back yard.

The wild play culminated with Jerome Pathon prancing 21 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.

After further review, that even I wanted to see, it was determined that all of the laterals were legal and the touchdown stood. Just one small tap from the sure-footed kicker John Carney and we would be headed to overtime. The season would live on.

As the Saints celebrated on the sidelines, John Carney lined up to make the tie official. The snap went back, the kick went up, and he pushed it. Wide right. Seriously. It wasn’t blocked, nor was it a bad snap or a bad hold. He just missed it. Game over. Season over. By the way, the words you’re grasping for are “Oh, good grief!”

Welcome to the “Who Dat” Nation. Price of admission: FAITH!

By now everyone is familiar with the 2005 Saints, also known as the “Katrina Season.” The Saints didn’t really have any home games that year as their “home” games were either played in San Antonio or at LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. It’s a good thing nobody was expecting much, because that’s about what we got.

But the silver lining that came from that cloud, other than re-endearing me to the Saints again, was the new focus and new direction of the Saints management. In 2006, head Coach Jim Haslett was finally replaced by Sean Payton, and we all know the rest of the story,

Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita...you can see grade schoolers wearing any one of these guy’s jerseys on any given day in New Orleans. The 2006 season was nothing short of miraculous.

From that awe-inspiring Monday Night Football game when the Superdome was re-opened, to the NFC Championship Game, every snap will be burned into the memory of every member of the “Who Dat” Nation forever.

But now we are back on planet Earth and the Saints have missed two straight trips to the post-season despite having one of the top producing offenses in the NFL. But we just got the news that not only has the deal been cut to keep the Saints in New Orleans through 2025, New Orleans will get to host our 10th Super Bowl in 2013. The lesson: Faith reaps rewards.

How then, you might ask, can anybody be a Saints fan and still keep their sanity? I asked my grandfather that same question all those years ago. He simply answered, “’Cause dey all we got!”

Grandpa was right. You just gotta have faith!

The Saints Are Coming: A 2009 Preview

Brian Scott — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:55:52 -0400

Last month, Regis and Kelly were filming their morning TV show in New Orleans for an entire week. Keeping in line with the local theme, one of their featured guests was New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush.

When Regis Philbin asked about the kind of success Saints fans could expect this year, Bush predicted that this was the year that the Saints would go to the Super Bowl.

“We’re going all the way,” Bush told Philbin, “I’m feeling very good.”

Of course Reggie Bush was playing to the local crowd, but it is exactly this type of blind optimism that epitomizes the plight of every rank-and-file Saints fan.

But is it that far of a stretch? After all, the Black and Gold came within one game of achieving that very goal just three years ago.

Additionally, Sean Payton’s working-class approach to the game, along with his roster of players that embrace his “culture of winning” mantra have only produced one of the league’s top offenses. Oh yeah, and that offense is anchored by Drew Brees, who happens to be on of the league’s top quarterbacks.

If you ask the average Saints fan what it will take to get to the big game this year, most of them would probably tell you that it’s all about improving the defense. While this is a relatively correct answer, as evidenced by Sean Payton’s replacing defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs with Gregg Williams, but it is also an incomplete answer.

The Saints lost at least three games in 2008 due to missed field goals and personnel mistakes on down-and-short situations. To be more precise on the latter, far too often the Saints found themselves failing to pick up 1 or 2 yards to convert a first down while a seemingly healthy Deuce McAllister stood on the sidelines. This left many frustrated and confused ticket holders scratching their heads in the stands.

The fans can expect to see an entirely new defensive philosophy in 2009. New coordinator Gregg Williams has already given us a preview of this new attitude in the team’s most recent OTA (organized team activity). In fact, the first OTA that was open to the media this year got extremely lively on one particular pass play.

Wide receiver Skyler Green was being covered by cornerback Jason David on a pass route, but when Green slipped behind his defender to make the catch, David knocked Green to the ground. Before anyone knew it, offensive tackle Zach Strief came out of nowhere and tangled with Jason David in an obvious attempt to defend his offensive teammate.

The scrum broke up quickly, but some of the local sports writers made quite an issue of it. The next day I ran into Zach Strief and his wife at the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and asked him about the incident.

He said that it was blown out of proportion and that all of the players were encourage to play at a high intensity level at all times during the OTA. His wife was also quick to assure me that Zach was a big “teddy bear” that got along with all of his teammates, including Jason David.

As a journalist, it was great to get the real story directly from the source. As a fan, it was great to hear that even in the early Spring these guys weren’t holding anything back.

Gregg Williams certainly has his work cut out for him taking over a unit that routinely gave up 3rd and 25’s last season, but he has also been given the keys to the kingdom to run his defense how he wants. Saints management showed their confidence in Williams by giving him nearly all of their draft picks last month, and additionally made all the free agent moves he asked them to make.

While success may not be realized overnight, the “Who Dat” nation can rest assured that their defense is on the right track. But Williams must realize that the surest path to the post-season runs right across his desk.

The problems on special teams seemed to almost auto-correct as the 2008 season went on, but there is always more room for improvement. Place kickers Taylor Mehlhaff and Garrett Hartley were much more accurate and reliable than Martin Gramatica, who subsequently went out with an injury after a disappointing start to the 2008 season.

Perhaps the most interesting special teams story of the off season came during the draft, when the Saints surprised everyone by trading up in the fifth round to get…wait for it…a punter. Yes, Thomas Morestead from SMU will be fighting for a punting slot on the special teams squad next season. We’ll see of all the drama was worth it.

At the end of the day, all the defensive and special teams improvement in the world won’t matter if the Saints offense doesn’t continue their high output. This is Drew Brees’ 4th year of a six-year deal in New Orleans, and he’s been worth every penny.

The most obvious change on the offense, on and off the field, will be the absence of beloved Saints running back Deuce McAllister who was released in the off season. Several undrafted free agent backs have been brought in to try and fill that gap, but the most notable move to replace the “Deuce” has been a move that hasn’t been made yet - the Saints are reportedly negotiating a deal with Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James. In the meantime, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are expected to do most of the heavy lifting in the backfield.

Brees’ accurate arm will have to find some reliable targets in his receiver corps. Robert Meacham has reportedly impressed the coaching staff in the off season and they expect big things this year out of their number one pick in the 2008 draft. We’d also like to see the big man Marques Colston return to his 2006 form when he was Brees’ number one go-to guy. Lance Moore was the leading pass grabber for the Saints in 2008 with 928 yards, and he is expected to repeat that performance in 2009. And finally, we can’t forget about Devery Henderson, Drew Brees’ favorite deep ball target, who was 2nd overall in receiving yards in 2008 with 793.

Will all these new and old factors live up to Reggie Bush’s prediction to Regis Philbin? The jury is still out on that one. But one thing is for sure, the Saints are back and they are coming. With a schedule that includes two Monday Night football games and a Saturday night prime time game, it is sure to be a season that won‘t soon be forgotten.

The citizens of New Orleans just got the exhilarating news that they will be hosting their 10th Super Bowl in 2013, but it sure would be nice to have a reason to get excited about a Super Bowl before then.

Are you listening Boys?

New Sports Radio Show Will Feature Bleacher Creatures!

Brian Scott — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:18:51 -0500

In my college days, I fell in love many times, almost weekly—and in the morning I was always cured! But one particular love affair I developed just wouldn't wash off with the "morning after" hot shower—and that was the love of radio.

I began working at the KLSU studios during my junior year at LSU hosting the noon till three show on Saturdays. It was a typical college radio station that played alternative music and it was a lot of fun.

After a few months I was offered the weekday morning drive shift. I like to think it was because I had a natural feeling for radio, but it was probably because they couldn't find any other college students willing to get up at 5 AM everyday. Nevertheless, I took the gig.

The morning drive was different because of things like news breaks, call-in guests, and traffic reports. But the best part about the shift was the contests and giveaways. We would take the "10th caller" or so to win concert tickets, movie tickets, restaurant gift certificates, or whatever the marketing department had for us.

One time I gave away a package of Ramen Noodles because the giveaway bin was empty.

Perhaps my greatest triumph was starting "Hooters Wings Wednesdays." I convinced the manager of the Baton Rouge Hooters to send Hooters girls over to the studio on Wednesday mornings with wings and other goodies in exchange for plugging the restaurant. I don't know how he got the girls up at seven in the morning, but I was grateful.

I always made sure to have some good coffee on hand for them!

I remember people would always call in on Wednesday mornings and ask me how I could eat buffalo wings so early in the morning. I replied, "Breakfast is what you eat when you first wake up. I haven't been to bed yet."

When I started writing for the Bleacher Report last summer I had no idea where it would take me. I just knew that my passion for sports and writing could not have been fed by a better outlet than what Zander, Rory, Trey and the gang have built for us here.

What I truly didn't anticipate was the great relationships I have formed in the B/R community with writers and sports enthusiasts from all over the world. Think about it, in this one community we have access to fans and experts for virtually any team or athlete in virtually any sport you can imagine. That is a pretty powerful thing!

This is what helped me to envision my latest endeavor as I return to the world of radio, my first true love. I am happy to announce that I am now hosting the "Gulf Coast Sports Radio Hour" Monday through Friday from 3-4 PM CST. We broadcast on 1190 AM WBSL in the Gulf Coast/ New Orleans area as well as on 1590am KKAY in the Baton Rouge area.

For those "bleacher creatures" living outside of our listening area, not to worry! We are streaming live on the Internet at kkay1590. The show focuses a lot on college sports in the region and around the SEC, but I would like your help in broadening our appeal.

I really want this to be a international radio show for the "bleacher creatures", so if you think you have what it takes to be on our "panel", shoot me an e-mail at nolasportswriter@gmail.com or post on my bulletin board and I'll be happy to get you plugged in.

No matter what your sport of choice or area of expertise is, I'll find a place for you.

If you have the time to listen to the show today, Feb. 10, our own "Godfather" of the Bleacher Report Mr. Baby Tate will be on the program around 3:05 PM CST. Click the link and listen on-line, and hopefully the next guest will be you!

Rueben Randle: The Nation's #1 Recruit Joins LSU's #1 Class

Brian Scott — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:01:04 -0500

National Signing Day turned out to be an emotional roller coaster with plenty of shock and awe. But when the dust settled, the consensus of the combined national recruiting services, including ESPN, crowned the LSU Tigers the #1 recruiting class of 2009.

With many of LSU's top targets already enrolled in school, the one recruit that the Tiger Nation remained on the edge of their seats about was wide receiver Rueben Randle, the 6'3", 195lb. prospect out of Bastrop, LA.

Randle was heavily recruited by Alabama and Oklahoma as well, and the decision seemed to go to the wire. But just before 1PM CST, Randle gathered with family and fans and put on the LSU cap, devastating the Crimson Tide fan base who was sure he was a lock.

Randle was not only considered the #1 recruit by most national recruiting services, but he has been academically eligible since the 9th grade according to his coach. The student athlete was also top ranked in such wide receiver categories as "Best after catch" (3), "Best athlete" (1), and "Best hands" (3).

In Rueben Randle's senior year, he actually played quarterback where he racked up over 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns. A true athlete who will be a multiple threat to SEC defenses in 2009, Randle is expected to see plenty of playing time as a true freshman.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the recruitment of Rueben Randle was the back story involving another highly touted recruit named DeAngelo Benton. Benton had committed to LSU two years ago but has had academic problems that have kept him from becoming a Tiger.

One of the main factors Rueben Ranlde was considering was whether or not Benton would ultimately sign with LSU, and how that could impact his own playing time. Randle confirmed in an interview that it didn't make sense for both he and Benton to both come to LSU and compete for a spot, and went on further to say that if Benton indeed ended up at LSU, that he (Randle) would have pursued his college career elsewhere.

Rumors began to swirl after DeAngelo Benton surprised everyone by announcing that he would be attending Auburn. At a press conference, Les Miles was asked flat out if Benton's scholarship offer was still good on Wednesday morning, and despite LSU athletic director Joe Alleva waving his arms in the back of the room as if to get Miles to avoid the question, the Mad Hatter simply said, "No."

It is assumed that some last minute maneuvering was made to ensure that Rueben Randle would sign with LSU, and it appears that DeAngelo's scholarship offer was officially pulled by LSU on Tuesday night. Apparently, the LSU coaching staff had decided on what amounts to a college level "trade" in order to land their #1 recruit on National Signing Day.

All is fair in love, war, and college football.

Listen to Brian Scott daily as he hosts the Gulf Coast Sports Radio Hour. The stream can be heard online Monday through Friday, 3-4pm CST at www.kkay1590.com. Email Brian at nolasportswriter@gmail.com if you would like to be a guest on the show.

LSU Tigers Turn in Nation's Top Recruiting Class

Brian Scott — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:22:43 -0500

After a roller coaster 2008 football season that saw LSU burn through four quarterbacks and two defensive co-coordinators, the Tigers finished strong by routing the #14 ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Peach Bowl. But the upswing in LSU's fortunes didn't stop there, it has now carried over into the off season. At the end of the 2008 regular season, the so-called "experts" were writing the obituary of LSU's domination of the 21st century that brought three SEC Championships, four BCS Bowl wins, and two national championships. It couldn't possible be that LSU's starting quarterback, Ryan Perrilloux, was booted off the team in the off season...no it had to be that the luck of Les Miles had finally run out. There were even a few delusional writers who suggested that it was because all of Saban's talent was gone, despite the fact that the majority of the starters on the 2007 national championship team were Les Miles' recruits, not Nick Saban's. Yes, we heard declarations from far and wide that Miles was finally running this once great program into the ground. LSU fans would have to once again accept that their proud Tigers would be relegated to a mid-level SEC team that was no longer in the national conversation. Well, once again the "Mad Hatter" had launched a dump truck full of eggs on the faces of all his detractors. He started the assault by snagging one of the top defensive coordinators in the country in John "Chief" Chavis. Despite a disappointing season, Chavis' Tennessee Volunteer defense was ranked fourth in the nation. Chavis has also put together an impressive staff at LSU that will no doubt address the defensive woes suffered in Baton Rouge last season. Next, Les Miles took over the first significant event of the 2009 season, National Signing Day. LSU has snagged twenty-one recruits (as of the date of this writing) comprising four five-star recruits, ten four-star recruits, and seven three-star recruits. Together, the 2009 class gives Les Miles and LSU the #1 recruiting class in the nation (per Rivals.com). So much for running the program into the ground! Let's take a look at the Louisiana State University 2009 Recruiting Class:

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Troy Vs. Southern Miss: The R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Preview

Brian Scott — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:56:17 -0500

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Troy Trojans vs. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

December 21, 2008

8:00 pm ET

Louisiana Superdome - New Orleans, LA

Spread: Troy -4.5

How they got here...

Troy easily won the Sunbelt Conference going 8-4 on the season. This will be Troy’s second appearance in the New Orleans Bowl in three years.

Southern Miss fought back from a 2-6 record to win their final four games and became bowl eligible at 6-6. This will be USM’s third appearance in the New Orleans Bowl in five years.

Statistically speaking...

Troy is looking for their twenty-fifth win in three seasons, and an impressive win will bolster their status as a pre-season pick to win the Sun Belt in 2009. First year head coach Larry Fedora is looking to grab his first bowl victory at USM as he attempts to return the Golden Eagles to their former glory as the premier team in Conference USA. A win against Troy would be a great springboard toward achieving that goal.

Troy wins if...

Their defense can stop dual-threat quarterback Austin Davis and standout running back Damion Fletcher. Levi Brown should have an easy time moving the ball in his no-huddle spread offense, but the key to victory will be keeping the USM offense off the field and out of the end zone.

Southern Miss wins if...

Their defensive backs can keep up with the fast tempo of Troy’s offense. They absolutely have to keep the pressure on Levi Brown, who does not throw as well when hurried. Austin Davis and Damion Fletcher have to move the chains and wear down the Troy defense.

B/R Expert Picks...

Ben Weixlmann: Troy

Lisa Horne: Troy

Georgia Dawg: Troy

David Wunderlich: Troy

Michael Cline: Troy

Trey Bradley: Troy

MiamiMitch: Troy

Justin Goar: Troy

Brian Scott: Troy

Christmas Cash: A Bettor's Guide to the College Bowl Games

Brian Scott — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:28:13 -0500

With all the prognosticating going on for the upcoming bowl games, I thought it might be fun to handicap these games using the latest information from Las Vegas. Below you will find each bowl game, the participants, the spread, how the public is betting, and my picks and analysis.

Remember, you're getting this for free so don't send me hate mail if you lose a few!

All of the following information is updated through the time this article was published:

Dec. 20

EagleBank Bowl

Wake Forest – 3 vs. Navy

The public is on Wake Forest 57 percent to 43 percent. The Midshipmen have had some impressive wins with their talented backs and the traditional option offense, but Deacon gunslinger Riley Skinner will wear down the Navy defense in the second half and pull away. Look for Wake Forest to cover the field goal in this revenge match.

New Mexico Bowl

Colorado State + 3 vs. Fresno State

The public is on Fresno State 67 percent to 33 percent. Colorado State has some impressive numbers on paper, but their record lacks any impressive wins. Of Fresno State’s five regular season losses, three of them were by margins of less than three points. The Bulldogs should cover the chalk comfortably.

magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl

Memphis + 14 vs. South Florida

The public is on South Florida 54 percent to 46 percent. Matt Grothe is a great dual-threat quarterback; in fact he is also the leading rusher for the Bulls. But South Florida’s frequent inability to play a full 60 minutes of football makes it hard for me to believe that they will beat Memphis by two touchdowns. If the line falls to 10, then maybe; but Memphis and 14 is a good value here.

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl

BYU + 3 vs. Arizona Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, 8 p.m. ESPN

The public is on BYU 71 percent to 29 percent. Max Hall has over 3,600 passing yards in the regular season as well as two receivers who hauled in over 1,000 receiving yards apiece.

Arizona did finish strong by pounding Arizona State, and they held USC to a close game, but it seems that BCS/Pac 10 hubris is more responsible for the Wildcats being the favorites than their performance on the field.

Don’t forget that BYU knocked off a couple of Pac-10 opponents of their own. The points are a gift if you’re on the Cougars, and the public is responding in kind.

Dec. 21

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Southern Miss + 4.5 vs. Troy

The public is on Troy 76 percent to 24 percent. Troy’s spread offense has been wildly successful this year, and it would have picked them up a win at LSU if they had been better conditioned.

Larry Fedora’s first year at Southern Miss is making most people wonder why Jeff Bower was fired, but the proximity of Hattiesburg to New Orleans made good financial sense to extend this bowl bid to USM. Troy will cover this chalk with plenty of room to spare.

Dec. 23

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Boise State +2.5 vs. TCU

The public is on TCU 54 percent to 46 percent. Usually when an undefeated team is getting points it’s a gift, but 2½ for Boise State is more like a stocking stuffer. Here I have to disagree with the public and go with the Broncos. When the line is less than three, I wouldn’t risk a lot, but this will be a close game and I think Boise State wins straight up.

Dec. 24

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii + 1 vs. Notre Dame

The public is on Notre Dame 59 percent to 41 percent. Vegas isn’t giving much respect to Notre Dame only laying one to Hawaii, but it could be because of their inconsistency. The Irish showed flashes of a being a decent team this year, but they finished weak.

Hawaii hasn’t had any impressive wins this year either and is very undisciplined. Look for the Domers to score a solid win even after the long flight.

Dec. 26

Motor City Bowl

Florida Atlantic + 6 vs. Central Michigan

The public is on Central Michigan 89 percent to 11 percent. The Chippewas have had a good season on the arm of Dan Lefevour. With the exception of Georgia, all of their losses have been very close games.

While the fighting Schnellenbergers of FAU are scrappy for being a new program, and they are in the postseason for the second year in a row, they will simply be outmatched. Central Michigan covers by at least a touchdown, probably more.

Dec. 27

Meineke Car Care Bowl

West Virginia -1.5 vs. North Carolina

The public is on West Virginia 54 percent to 46 percent. Both teams are matched pretty evenly as far as their stats and records, but the star power edge has to go to West Virginia.

Look for a low scoring ground game with a lot of defense. The quick feet of Pat White and elusiveness of Noel Devine get it done over the Heels and the Mountaineers cover the small chalk.

Champs Sports Bowl

Wisconsin + 6 vs. Florida State

The public is on Florida State 87 percent to 13 percent. The Badgers are generally very good against the spread, but this year has been the exception. P.J. Hill has rushed for over 1,000 yards, but he can’t carry the whole team. The Seminoles have started to find their groove again and will win by at least 10.

Emerald Bowl

Miami + 8 vs. California

The public is on California 71 percent to 29 percent. Miami’s starting quarterback, Robert Marve, has been declared academically ineligible to play in the Emerald Bowl. This will leave it up to the Hurricane defense to keep them in the game.

Look for Cal running back Jahvid Best to have a big game against Miami’s struggling rush defense and carry the Bears to a big win.

Dec. 28

Independence Bowl

Northern Illinois -1 vs. Louisiana Tech

The public is on Louisiana Tech 70 percent to 30 percent. Northern Illinois won just two games last season, but new head coach Jerry Kill has them in a bowl game in his first year at the helm.

But this will be a home game for Louisiana Tech, and running back Daniel Porter will keep the chains moving for the Bulldogs. Tech will win by a touchdown or more.

Dec. 29

Papajohns.com Bowl

NC State +7 vs. Rutgers

The public is on Rutgers 53 percent to 47 percent. For two teams that didn’t look like they were going anywhere near the postseason in October, they both finished strong and find themselves facing each other in a bowl game.

NC State has shown that they can step up in big games (they’ve knocked off three ranked teams), but the experience of fifth-year Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel may be too much for the Wolfpack defense. A close game makes this a head-scratcher, but if the line falls to -6.5 or below take Rutgers to win by a TD.

Valero Alamo Bowl

Missouri -12.5 vs. Northwestern

The public is on Missouri 71 percent to 29 percent. A weak finish has made this a disappointing year for Heisman hopeful Chase Daniel, but that didn’t stop him from putting up over 4,000 passing yards in the regular season.

Northwestern has been a pleasant surprise in a very weak Big 10 conference, but this will be the Chase Daniel show. This is a lot of chalk to lay in the postseason, but Daniel is playing for the NFL scouts now and will win by at least two touchdowns.

Dec. 30

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl

Maryland +2 vs. Nevada

The public is on Maryland 64 percent to 36 percent. If you’re wondering why an ACC team is an underdog to a WAC team, you must not have seen a Nevada game this year.

Dual-threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick is as exciting to watch as any QB in college football. He also has two different running backs with over 1,000 yards rushing a piece in addition to over 1,000 yards receiving for WR Marko Mitchell.

Maryland is no slouch, though, having beaten four ranked teams this season. If the Terrapin defense can stop the multiple weapons of the Wolfpack, it will be a close game. This is a coin toss, but I’ll go against the public and say that Nevada covers the deuce.

Texas Bowl

Rice -2.5 vs. Western Michigan

The public is on Rice 76 percent to 24 percent. The public is no doubt reacting to the stellar play of Rice quarterback Chase Clement. But they should realize that Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller has almost identical numbers. It will come down to the supporting cast and the defenses.

Rice has two wide receivers with over 1,200 yards apiece while WMU’s passing defense was one of the worst in the nation going into the final stretch of the season. Rice also has momentum having won their last six games. This will ultimately be a home game for Rice and they’ll get it done, easily covering the deuce and a half.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

Oklahoma State -3 vs. Oregon

The public is on Oklahoma State 60 percent to 40 percent. The Ducks finished strong winning their last three regular season games, but they lacked a real signature win this year.

Oklahoma State, on the other hand, was a victim of circumstance having to play in the ridiculously talented Big 12. Oregon will put up a respectable fight, but the Cowboys will ride on the saddles of Zac Robinson and Kendall Hunter and bring home the bacon.

Dec. 31

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Houston -3.5 vs. Air Force

The public is on Houston 74 percent to 26 percent. This rematch will pin Air Force against one of the top offenses in the nation. Houston quarterback Case Keenum has passed for over 4,700 yards this season despite running back Bryce Beal going for over 1,000 by himself.

Air Force clipped the Cougars by a field goal when they met earlier this year, but the edge has to go to Houston this go-round, and they win by at least a touchdown.

Brut Sun Bowl

Oregon State -2.5 vs. Pittsburgh

The public is on Oregon State 52 percent to 48 percent. Everybody remembers the impressive play of Jaquizz Rodgers in the Beavers' huge win over USC. But upset-minded Dave Wannstedt and his Pittsburgh Panthers are bringing their own ground game with LeSean McCoy.

This will be a close game that will come down to the rushing defenses and coaching. Going along these lines I have to buck the public and take the “Fighting Wannstaches” in an upset.

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl

Boston College -3.5 vs. Vanderbilt

The public is on Boston College 74 percent to 26 percent. After starting off 5-0, the Commodores only won one game in the rest of the season. Contrast that with Boston College, who won their last four of the regular season only to get pounded at the Virginia Tech rematch in the ACC Championship game.

While Vandy had a much tougher schedule to contend with, the Eagles have been playing like a more cohesive unit. Look for the home team Vandy to keep it close until the fourth quarter, but then BC takes over and wins by a touchdown.

Insight Bowl

Kansas -9 vs. Minnesota

The public is on Kansas 68 percent to 32 percent. Jayhawk gunslinger Todd Reesing might be one of the most unsung quarterback talents in the country. But that could be that there were four Heisman hopefuls in his own conference.

Still, Kansas didn’t have the magic they had in 2007, but they finished strong with a signature win over Missouri. Minnesota, on the other hand, fell apart in the home stretch, losing their last four games. The Golden Gophers are a solid team, but the public is right—Kansas wins this one going away.

Chick-fil-A (Peach) Bowl

LSU +3 vs. Georgia Tech

The public is on Georgia Tech 71 percent to 29 percent. The public is no doubt knee-jerk reacting to Georgia Tech’s stunning upset of Georgia in the season finale.

What they don’t realize is that Georgia’s defense was designed to cover a spread offense, not a triple option. LSU is the opposite. While the Tiger defense has struggled this year, they have performed their best against the rush. Also, the portion of the public betting on the money line (straight up win) is taking LSU 97 percent to 3 percent.

Now, personally I never bet on LSU…too emotional. Georgia Tech is overconfident after their final two big wins, but LSU has had time to rest and regroup and will silence Tech’s home crowd in the Georgia Dome.

Jan. 1

Outback Bowl

South Carolina +3 vs. Iowa

The public is on Iowa 57 percent to 43 percent. A strong start and a stronger finish is the best way to describe Iowa’s season. South Carolina, on the other hand, has been a good team with poor consistency.

When the two teams meet it will match the 11th- and 12th-ranked defenses in the nation. On paper, Iowa should win, but a low-scoring match will make this a tough call. If the Ol’ Ball Coach digs into his bag of tricks he could stop Iowa’s train from rolling. But Iowa has more talent and offensive weapons. To be safe, I would bet the under.

Capital One Bowl

Georgia -7.5 vs. Michigan State

The public is on Georgia 82 percent to 18 percent. This is the highest payout of the non-BCS bowls, but the Georgia Bulldogs can’t help but wish they were heading farther down the highway to Miami.

Michigan State is watching plenty of tape, and they hope standout running back Javon Ringer can torment the Georgia defense the same way Georgia Tech did. But the Bulldogs have plenty of tools on their belt, included NFL Matthew Stafford at QB and the always-exciting Knowshon Moreno in the backfield. A great matchup but Georgia takes over in the second half and covers.

Konica Minolta Gator

Clemson -2.5 vs. Nebraska

The public is on Nebraska 52 percent to 48 percent. First-year head coach Bo Pelini has turned the Huskers around while the Clemson program is in a bit of disarray.

Tigers coach Tommy Bowden was fired (or resigned, depends on who you ask) earlier this season after it was clear he had lost the confidence of his team and the University. Clemson still has plenty of talent, but they lack leadership. Look for Pelini and Nebraska to pull the upset and win by a touchdown.

Rose Bowl

Penn State +9 vs. USC

The Rose Bowl continues to be one of the major stalwarts between college football and a playoff system, so here we go with another boring PAC-10 vs. Big 10 barn burner (yawn). Joe Paterno continues to defy the odds of critics and life expectancy and has fielded another great Nittany Lion team this year.

USC was picked to cruise through their easy schedule and land in the title game, but whoops, there goes Oregon State! USC’s defense will keep Penn State out the end zone long enough to wear them down. And easily win the annual USC Bowl, again.

FedEx Orange Bowl

Cincinnati -2 vs. Virginia Tech

The public is on Virginia Tech 60 percent to 40 percent. This BCS Bowl will match one the hottest coaches in college football against one the most respected coaches in college football.

Cincinnati finished strong winning their final six games and clinching the Big East Championship. Virginia Tech struggled a bit down the stretch but finished with a convincing win over Boston College to win the ACC.

This Hokie team is experienced in big bowl games and will throw an all-out air and ground assault led by Tyrod Taylor. Cincinnati is a good team but will find themselves outmatched and out coached. The Hokies pull the upset.

Jan. 2

AT&T Cotton Bowl

Ole Miss +5 vs. Texas Tech

The public is on Texas Tech 71 percent to 29 percent. In his first year at Ole Miss, Houston Nutt has put the Rebels back on the map and back in a bowl game for the first time since Eli Manning graduated.

QB Jevan Snead has shown composure in the pocket despite having a supporting cast of virtual nobody’s. Texas Tech is settling for a Cotton consolation prize instead of a Big 12 or national championship, stifled by Oklahoma.

Every loss that Ole Miss suffered came against a team with a strong quarterback and conversely, every win came against teams with weak quarterbacks. Ole Miss has a strong defensive line, but this Red Raider offensive line pushed Texas around, and they will push Ole Miss around.

Graham Harrell will shred the Rebels' slow cornerbacks and make a statement in Dallas. The Red Raiders will win by two touchdowns.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Kentucky +3 vs. East Carolina

The public is on East Carolina 66 percent to 34 percent. ECU started out like a true BCS buster, knocking off two top-20 teams in their first two weeks of the season. But they ran into some trouble in late September, derailing their BCS dreams.

The Pirates finished strong, however, and landed in a good bowl game. Kentucky started strong and finished weak, but they held Alabama and Georgia to close games. This is a matchup of two teams that leave you guessing which of their personalities will show up in any given game, but I like the size and speed of Kentucky to pull this upset.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Utah + 10 vs. Alabama

The public is on 88 percent to 12 percent. I understand that Utah is a good team, but Alabama is a great team.

For the third year in a row the Sugar Bowl gets stuck with a lopsided matchup that will be over at half time. Hawaii was undefeated going into last year’s Sugar Bowl against Georgia and got destroyed. The same fate awaits the Utes when they face Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide this year. Bama will win by 21.

Jan. 3

International Bowl

Buffalo +4.5 vs. Connecticut

The public is on Connecticut 64 percent to 36 percent. Turner Gill and the Buffalo Bulls have been a big story this year, and winning six of their last seven and a MAC championship. UConn started their season 5-0 but lost five of their final seven.

Buffalo’s Drew Willy has passed for over 3,000 yards and James Starks has rushed for over 1,300 on the ground. But UConn has the top rusher in the nation Donald Brown, with over 1,800 yards.

UConn also has a stingy defense that could force Willy to do it all on his own—a position he has been comfortable with. I see Buffalo keeping it within a field goal or pulling the upset, making the 4½ points a real value.

Jan. 5

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Ohio State +8 vs. Texas

The public is on Texas 68 percent to 32 percent. Texas will have to get over the fact that they were screwed out of a national title appearance and focus on an improved Buckeye squad.

But the Texas defense will be ready for Terrell Pryor and Beanie Wells. Colt McCoy and company will put on an air show that will burn the OSU defensive backs much like LSU did last year. Texas is a national championship caliber team and will deliver another embarrassing postseason loss to the Buckeyes. Longhorns cover easily.

Jan. 6

GMAC Bowl

Tulsa + 2.5 vs. Ball State

The public is on Ball State 53 percent to 47 percent. This might be the best matchup of the entire bowl season. Both teams have incredible offensive numbers due to outstanding quarterbacks and running backs.

Ball State might have a slight edge by playing more consistent, at least until the Buffalo game. But Tulsa is going to the GMAC Bowl for their second straight year.

The departure of Ball State head coach Brady Hoke hasn’t affected the line on this game, but it’s hard to believe that it won’t take an emotional toll on the players. I think it will be a high-scoring but close game with a lot of lead changes, but Ball State pulls it out by at least a field goal.

Jan. 8

FedEx BCS National Championship Game

Florida -3 vs. Oklahoma

The public is on Florida 53 percent to 47 percent. This could be the most exciting national championship game since the USC vs. Texas game in 2005(6). The game has it all—two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks, two high-powered offenses, two coaches that will have been to the title game more than once, and two identical records (12-1).

The injury gods have smiled on Florida more so than Oklahoma, however. Florida’s Percy Harvin is expected to be healthy enough to play in the title game while Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray sustained a season-ending injury this week. This will put more pressure on Sam Bradford to carry the load in the backfield, but his performance in that capacity earned him college football’s top honor in New York City last weekend.

Tim Tebow has been playing like a warrior since the loss to Ole Miss earlier this season, and his Gators have destroyed everyone in their path since—even beating No. 1 Alabama in the SEC Championship game by 11 points.

Another high-scoring game, but the mighty SEC and their unmatched speed will win the day. Florida wins by six and joins LSU as the only teams with two BCS national championships.

I hope this guide helps you pick up a little extra Christmas cash, but if not don’t blame me—gambling is illegal anyway!

I would also like to thank sportsinsights.com for providing the public wagering data used in this article!

Happy bowling to all, and to all a great offseason!

Worst of the Worst Award Series: And the Losers Are...

Brian Scott — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:04:25 -0500

We will soon know who will be collecting the individual hardware that signifies the best of the best in college football. The votes are in and are being tallied. All that’s left to do is print up the programs.

But who cares about these annoying little overachievers anyway? America continues to evolve as more of a voyeuristic society every year. We want to see the train wrecks. We want to see falls from grace.

So how about some recognition for the cellar dwellers?

The ceremonies for these awards won’t be held in fancy New York City hotels and ballrooms. There won’t be any cameras, no over sized pinstriped suits, no matching Fedora hats, and no champagne. No, these rites of passage will be featured as half time entertainment during an amateur ultimate fighting cage match—most likely in someone’s backyard in Branson, Missouri.

If the organizers decide to go all out for these “winners”, then they may move the awards presentation down Highway 248 to Planet Branson - provided it isn’t karaoke night.

The first award given at this non-prestigious event is the “2008 Jimmy Johnson ‘Anything Goes’ Trophy”, and it will go to the most penalized team in the nation. Just when an opposing drive appears to be dead, these teams pulled out the paddles, shouted “Clear!”, then brought the drive back to life. 3^rd and 22? Uh-uh! How about 1^st and 10!

The ironic part about this award is that it generally goes to fairly successful teams. But amidst all the success, they just can’t bring themselves to follow the rules. While they drive coaching staffs absolutely berserk, they do provide job security for referees. So it’s not all bad.

On with the nominees! (in no particular order)

Our first nominee is the University of Southern California. The men of Troy have only lost one game this year (with one regular season game left) but have managed to amass 91 penalties totaling 833 yards. This means they average over eight penalties and give over 75 yards to the opposing team in each game. We can’t tell which is more impressive, the fact that they have been penalized this much in only 11 games when most teams have played 12 by now, or the fact that despite this record they are still winning games. You decide.

Our next nominee is the University of Hawaii. Coming off an undefeated regular season and a trip to the Sugar Bowl, the Warriors have managed to find their way onto our radar screen this year. In 12 games Hawaii has been penalized 103 times for 919 yards. That’s an average of over eight per game and sending the ball over 76 yards the other way every Saturday. The new coaching staff at Hawaii has obviously bid Aloha to discipline.

Our final nominee is Texas Christian University. While the Horny Toads have obviously let other distractions affect their attention to detail this season, it fortunately hasn’t affected their ability to win. Like we said earlier, this award often goes to some of the nation’s most successful teams. Their win/loss records, however, usually dissuade any talk of their weaknesses. That’s where we come in.

AND THE WINNER IS….TCU!!!

The Horned Frogs have landed at the top (or bottom, depends on how you look at it) of the list as the most penalized team in the NCAA. In the 2008 regular season, they were penalized 109 times for a whopping 937 yards. We’ll keep an eye on the post-season to see if they can break that 1000-yard mark!

Our featured presentation will be the “2008 French Army Memorial Trophy”, which goes to the nation’s worst defense. These guys worked together as a unit all year to pad the stats of every offense they faced. They made mediocre running backs look like Reggie Bush, and made average quarterbacks look like another Manning brother.

These defensive squads could not have done worse if they had the marching band form a line from scrimmage to the end zone and played the opposing team’s fight song as they walked to the paint.

On the bright side, however, they have helped our nation’s ailing economy by creating defensive coordinator job openings at their respective universities. Weak defense, but created jobs. The Clinton Administration would be proud! (Sorry, couldn’t help it!)

Anyway, on with our nominees! (again, in no particular order)

Our first nominee is Southern Methodist University. The Mustang Defense has allowed 2,707 yards rushing and 3,047 yards passing in the regular season. This averages out to 6.5 yards per play and a staggering 479.5 yards allowed per game. First year head coach June Jones was not available for comment as he was reportedly vacationing in Hawaii. While he’s there he might think about asking for his job back.

Our next nominee is the University of North Texas. The Mean Green may want to think about getting a little meaner next year, because this year they had one of the worst defenses in all of college football. The unit has allowed 5,791 total yards this season and gave up an average of over 482 yards per game. Whew! That’s like having an old car that only runs in reverse!

Our final nominee is Kansas State University. The Wildcats make our list of finalists this year with one of the worst defensive performances of 2008. The KSU defense allowed 2,612 yards rushing and 3,137 passing this season. After running 926 plays, the Wildcats allowed 5,749 total yards for an average of 479 yards allowed per game. Ouch!

AND THE WINNER IS…..NORTH TEXAS!!!

We were able to track down the Mean Green head coach Todd Dodge and asked him to what he attributed having the worst defense in all of college football. He said. “I’m not sure, but it may have been something in the locker room.” We were intrigued, of course, so we inspected the home team locker room at North Texas and found something very disturbing in the lockers of the defensive players.

We can’t be certain if this is the sole reason for the Mean Green D getting rolled over this year, so we took a picture and posted it above this article. Tell us what you think.

Despite a Disappointing Season, the LSU Program Is Still “Damn Strong”

Brian Scott — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:13:47 -0500

Before the confetti even dropped on LSU’s second BCS Championship in five seasons, the distractions had already started. Les Miles humiliated his Alma Mater and ESPN’s golden boy Kirk Herbstreit on the morning of the SEC Championship Game by announcing that the reports of him leaving LSU for Michigan were false.

He further endeared himself to LSU fans by referring to his Tigers as a “damn strong” football team, then gave a half a hand wave to the media and with a trademark smirk, he sneered “Have a great day!”

By then, it was obvious that defensive coordinator Bo Pelini would be taking the head coaching job at Nebraska and some major changes would be coming in the offseason.

Depending on how close you paid attention to the LSU football team on a day to day basis, you may or may not have seen the departure of Ryan Perrilloux coming.

Most of the LSU faithful knew that there was some talent waiting in the wings at quarterback, but I believe that the national championship hangover clouded their vision just enough that they failed to realize just how much experience trumps talent in that position. The coaches knew, however, and that’s why Andrew Hatch started the season.

But to most of the Tiger faithful, the fall of Ryan Perrilloux was more imminent than shocking. The real shock, however, came when Les Miles announced that he would not be replacing Bo Pelini with another star defensive coordinator.

Instead, he would be promoting position coaches Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto to being co-defensive coordinators.

Even my eleven year old nephew was scratching his head. Was there nobody good enough? Was the guy Les wanted not available for this season? Do you mean to tell me that there was not one qualified candidate in the country that wanted to come coach at what had become known as Defensive U?

Though not likely, it could have been that either Mallory or Peveto could have done a decent job as defensive coordinator. There needed to be one guy steering the ship while the rest of the crew was working.

The point is that the position coaches are the ones that develop the close relationships with the players, and the DC is right there in their face every day demanding results.

There was obviously nobody demanding results from the LSU defense this year.

Losing to Florida was acceptable this year. After all, they are unquestionably the best team in the country right now. Losing to Georgia would have been more acceptable had LSU not spotted them 17 points off of two “pick sixes” and another interception in filed goal range. But Georgia was a better team and should have won.

For the one game that this LSU team got up for this year, they exposed Alabama’s many weaknesses. But more free points let the Tide get out of Baton Rouge with thievery.

After the Alabama loss, it was clear that the players were sensing that the horrible play calling on both sides of the ball and overall bad decisions by the coaching staff were causing them to lose instead of helping them win—and their lack of inspired play proved it.

Now, there is no excuse for any college football player on any team to give up half way through the season, regardless of the circumstances. But that’s when coaching leadership comes into play. The lack of a single decision maker on defense and Miles’ unwillingness to intervene proved to be the wheel that came off the wagon.

You know you have a serious problem when you have to rally a miracle comeback just to beat Troy. But when you lose to a perennial SEC bottom dweller like Ole Miss, it’s really time to roll some heads.

Ole Miss had replaced Vanderbilt as the SEC whipping post. While they fielded a better than average team this year for the first time since Eli manning was on campus, the program itself is a joke.

Without even a single trip to the SEC Championship game, no national championships from a legitimate wire service, and a fan base so small that all of the pregame tailgaters can fit on one small patch of dead grass in the middle of campus, it would have been more respectable to lose to Troy.

After a wake up call like that you would think that the coaching staff would have made some serious adjustments. But in the first two drives against 4-7 Arkansas, the LSU defense was once again shredded as they stuck to the Big 10 style formation ran Gerry DiNardo out of Baton Rouge.

The coaches finally woke up and realized that blitzing with fast defensive players is an effective way to shut down any offense, especially an average one like Arkansas. What do you know? The Tigers went up 30-14.

Now, most coaches would have still be nervous about losing that lead and kept up the intensity. But not the two-headed monster Les Miles created. They quit blitzing, went to a prevent defense with most of the fourth quarter left to go, and completely lost composure.

Instead of an Arkansas drive dying on their own 10 yard line, the LSU defense decided to extend the drive by committing a personal foul. Then the officials just had a field day, giving LSU penalty after penalty until Arkansas was in the red zone. The writing was on the wall.

Now, the most amusing part about all of this is watching the homers from other SEC teams getting so excited about watching the hiccup in the LSU dominance of the last decade. They are looking at one season and predicting the downfall of the program.

Good, let them think it. They can join the LSU fair weather fans and have a big pity party. Meanwhile, the real college football fans will sit back and watch LSU continue to reload.

How quickly they forget that a year after winning a national championship, Florida lost four games including a bowl game to a pitiful Michigan team who had already fired their head coach. They also did this with a Heisman trophy winner under center. Now Florida is poised to win another crystal football.

Everyone keeps calling LSU the “defending national champs.” Well, that’s true in the sense that Louisiana State University won the national championship last year. But looking at the roster, less than half of the starters in 2008 were starters in 2007, and the most important positions had the youngest players.

This team represented the University that won it all last season, but don’t kid yourself into thinking that by beating LSU you beat the defending national champs.

Les Miles will show what he’s made of in the coming weeks. If he makes the obviously necessary staff changes, then focuses on winning a bowl game and on to spring training, then he and his damn strong football team will be fine.

The LSU doomsday predictors (more like wishful thinkers) should also look at the recruiting class which will likely be ranked No. 1 or close to it. A class, I might add, that includes the No. 1 recruit in the nation, Russell Shepard.

The bottom line is this, LSU is still LSU. This elite program had a down season, but the program itself is far from down. Remember, when it comes to BCS Championships: most have none, some have one, but only one has two...LSU!

Dan Borne': LSU's "Voice of the Valley"

Brian Scott — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:29:33 -0500

Don't let the look on my face fool you. I was actually enjoying my time in the Press Box at Tiger Stadium. I had just witnessed LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee throw another interception to the Georgia Bulldogs, so please forgive my ugly mug.

How could I not enjoy it? Besides the great view, full buffet, and virtual "Who's Who" of LSU VIPs and legendary sports media personalities, I was sitting right next to Dan Borne', the "Voice" of Tiger Stadium.

In addition to Mr. Borne' graciously allowing me to write this profile, he had invited me to come spot for him as he made the announcements for the LSU vs. Georgia game.

So, if you were in Death Valley that day and you heard Borne' announce that a tackle was made by someone other than who actually made it, that would be my fault!

For 22 years, Dan Borne' has been the "Voice of the Valley," and from that unique perspective, I thought that LSU fans and football fans everywhere would enjoy his insight, hilarious stories, and valuable life lessons. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

How did you come to be the PA announcer at Tiger Stadium?

Sid Crocker was the PA announcer at Tiger Stadium for 30 years. He and I worked together at WAFB (a Baton Rouge TV station), and back in 1968, when I was covering an LSU home game, he invited me to his box.

He said, "Come up and see me, because you never know, you might be doing this one day."

Fast forward almost 20 years later, Sid announced that he would be retiring as PA announcer. I called and asked him who would be replacing him, and he said, "I don't know."

I then wrote a letter to the LSU Athletic Department informing them of my interest in the job, but I never heard anything.

Then a few weeks before the 1986 season began, I got a phone call from LSU reps asking me if I was still interested in the job and would I come in to speak with them. I went in and introduced myself.

We exchanged some small talk and didn't talk very much about the position. They then informed me that the job was mine if I still wanted it because nobody else had asked for it. So a good life lesson is that if you want something, make sure you ask for it.

What is your favorite part about the job?

Announcing for LSU football and basketball games are my only true hobbies. I don't hunt, golf, or fish, so this is what I do as an escape from real life. I'm also an adjunct in the Manship School. I enjoy teaching and interacting with the young people.

Do your responsibilities preclude you from being able to participate in the legendary tailgating festivities LSU is known for?

Yes. I don't tailgate. I try to relax around the house on the morning of the game and then head to campus about three hours before kickoff. Usually I stop by the marketing office and pick up the production book for that day's game, then head up to the Press Box.

The activities that are going on at most LSU tailgate parties would likely impair my ability to call the game in a lucid manner, if you know what I mean. I try to eat a light meal and get ready to start the announcements.

What is the first announcement you make before a football game?

"Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen. This is Dan Borne'. On behalf of Louisiana State University and the LSU Athletic Department, welcome to Tiger Stadium for tonight's Southeastern Conference football game between the (Rebels of the University of Mississippi) and your Fighting Tigers of LSU."

And we go from there...

Do you have to embellish your voice at all or do you just speak naturally?

Not really. A million bucks of equipment would make Donald Duck sound pretty decent!

Has a big play ever altered your ability to make a call absent from emotion?

You don't get caught up in the emotion of the game. You can't. Shakespeare said it better than I can: "The play's the thing." You work hard to make sure the information you give is timely and accurate.

What has been the most memorable game in your tenure as the PA announcer?

That would have to be the Auburn game after 9/11. The game had been moved to the end of the season, and as it turned out, the winner of that game was going to represent the Western Division at the SEC Championship game.

It was a hard-fought game, but when it became apparent that LSU was going to win, dozens of marshals, troopers, and deputies lined up in front of the student section to prevent them from rushing the field.

With just a few minutes left in the game, I noticed a mass exodus from the student section. This was strange because the students are always the first to arrive in Tiger Stadium and the last to leave. I was looking through my binoculars and couldn't figure out why they were leaving right before a big win like that.

Well, a few moments later I noticed a horde of heads bobbing up and down in the field level portal in the northeast corner of the stadium, which is on the other side of the field from the student section. Apparently, the students just collectively decided to find another way onto the field.

Well, the clock expired, and without a marshal in sight of the northeast portal, the now relocated LSU student section stormed the field and tore down the goal posts.

We're not a military school for nothing! I remember thinking that old General Troy Middleton would be proud of these kids; when there is an obstacle in your way and you can't go through it, find a way to go around it!

What was it like announcing at the famous LSU vs. Auburn "Earthquake" game of 1988?

Back then we used to actually say a prayer before the games instead of just observing a moment of silence. Normally, someone would record a prayer on a cassette and we'd play it after the band marched onto the field during pregame. For some reason, the prayer never got to us that week.

I started a mad search around the press box for a priest or minister to say the prayer, and eventually I found a Jewish Rabbi, Barry Weinstein, who was a guest in the press box. I said, "Rabbi, would you please give a blessing before the start of the game?" He happily agreed.

Now, mind you I had not been given any advanced notice of what he was going to say, and in fact when it came time to say the prayer he grabbed the microphone from me and shouted "Dear God (God, God, God, God)"—he seemed to be taken aback by the echo of his own voice, but he loved it. He absolutely loved it. The power of the PA is awesome the first time you hear your own voice over it.

He continued, "We pray, (pray, pray, pray)…for VICTORY!" and it went on from there. At this point it was obvious he was really fired up because he stood up straight, raised his shoulders, and gave me a look like a little kid with a new toy.

The crowd came absolutely unglued. No one had ever prayed for VICTORY before! And that was the Earthquake Game, the Hodson to Fuller pass late in the game that won it for the Tigers.

Do you make it to many LSU road games?

I make a few, but with so many home games lately I prefer to just relax and watch them at home. For the most part, I've outsourced the road games to my children.

What was the most memorable thing to happen in the Press Box that the fans may not know about?

Going back to that Auburn game that had been moved due to 9/11, the students were on the field after the game and it was apparent that they weren't planning to leave anytime soon. The LSU band always plays a few songs after the game and students were dancing and going wild.

I made the announcement to please leave the field. It didn't have the desired effect. Then I get a call from Skip (Skip Bertman, former LSU Athletic Director and legendary LSU baseball coach) saying, "Voice" (he calls me "Voice"), he said, "Voice, we need to get them students off the field, but they won't leave as long as the band is playing."

So we radioed down to the band director and told him to have the band stop playing. This really just upset the herd and they began chanting "Play, Play, Play, Play."

So the phone rings again and it's Skip. He says, "Voice, tell the band to play 'God Bless America.' If they play 'God Bless America,' the students will get the point and leave."

Back on the radio to the band director, "Skip says to play 'God Bless America' then wrap it up." A minute goes by and the girl on the other end of the radio says, "They don't know 'God Bless America.'"

Well, I really didn't want to be the one to tell Skip Bertman that the Golden Band from Tigerland didn't know 'God Bless America,' but I had no choice. "Coach, they don't know 'God Bless America.'"

After a brief silence from Skip's end, I said, "Well coach, I don't think it means they don't know it, I think it just means they don't have the sheet music for it." (Nice save!)

So ultimately, the band played on for a few more minutes and then shut it down. The crowd eventually left the stadium and began roaming the streets of Tiger Town until class the following Monday.

You will certainly go in the books as an integral part of LSU sports history, but what would you personally like your legacy to be?

I don't consider myself to be an icon; Sid Crocker is the icon. I just feel lucky and blessed that I was able to succeed him. But nobody could ever replace him.

Brian Scott can be reached at nolasportswriter@gmail.com.

Creature Vs. Creature: A Tiger on the Alabama @ LSU Game (AKA: The Saban Bowl)

Brian Scott — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:16:37 -0500

Game Preview

Hardly anyone in Baton Rouge is even paying attention to which team is coming to town this weekend, they just know that Nick Saban is coming back wearing enemy colors.

To many Tiger fans, November 8, 2008 was a date that was circled the day that it was announced that Saban was taking the job at Alabama. In fact, it was the same day that LSU would thrash Notre Dame in the ‘07 Sugar Bowl. The time is now upon us.

To add fuel to the fire, Nick Saban is also toting along the No. 1 team in the nation, the Alabama Crimson Tide. This is the same Alabama team that beat the very same Georgia team who walked away with a victory in Tiger Stadium two weeks ago.

It will be the largest crowd in Tiger Stadium’s history, it will be the loudest atmosphere in the country, and it will define a season for both teams.

For Alabama, they will try to prove that they can get through a tough SEC schedule undefeated, clinch the SEC West, and take a shot at the national title. For LSU, they will try to prove that they are still the best in the West, and salvage a disappointing season with a bid to a decent bowl game.

LSU Will Win If…

Jarrett Lee doesn’t throw any interceptions. Period. LSU lost to Florida fair and square, and if not for a missed extra point, Florida would be the No. 1 team in the nation. LSU gave 17 points to Georgia free of charge, but only lost by 14. If Lee wouldn’t keep throwing to the guys on the other team, LSU would still be in the hunt for the Sec West.

The LSU defense has evolved week to week, but the lack of big plays and forced turnovers have been the key ingredients missing from the type of defenses Tiger fans have grown accustomed to. LSU’s secondary is young and inexperienced and an accurate QB like John Parker Wilson will try to exploit that.

If Tyson Jackson and Rahim Alem can stop Bama’s rushing attack with Glen Coffee, as well as put enough pressure on Wilson to force him into making bad passes, they will go a long way to keeping Alabama out of the end zone.

Finally, Alabama is one of the worst second half teams in the nation. If LSU can keep the score close in the first half, they will statistically have a great chance to pull out a victory.

LSU Will Lose If…

Jarrett Lee throws interceptions. Free points to a team as good as Alabama will make them impossible to beat. If Miles uses true freshman Jordan Jefferson, he will have to play mistake free as well—something that is not easy for a true freshman.

If the defense allows Alabama to make the big plays, the crowd will be taken out of the game as well as the intensity of the atmosphere. The Tigers will need to draw as much energy from this crowd as possible to beat America’s top team, and giving up big plays is the best way to turn a buzz into a headache.

If Alabama's defense manages to stop Charles Scott and LSU’s fleet of wide receivers from sneaking through the seams, it will be a long night for the Tigers. A solid rushing game will be essential to taking some of the pressure off of LSU’s troubled quarterback corps.

The X-Factor

The elephant in the room (no pun intended) will of course be Nick Saban’s return to Baton Rouge. In all honesty, the first couple of paragraphs in this article were written for dramatic effect only. I do not count myself as one of the morons at LSU who have something personal against Nick Saban.

He was a great coach who lifted our program out of the cellar and back to national prominence. He was an excellent recruiter who’s hand picked talent has kept LSU successful since his departure.

While no intelligent person can really argue that he deserves credit for the 2007 National Championship, he did manage to pluck a few of those outstanding seniors out of prep football and bring them to Baton Rouge, and for that I am thankful.

But hey, if the “Return of the King” gets the crowd fired up like the old days, I’m all for it. I have been disappointed in the level of intensity at Tiger Stadium this season. Sure, a lot of it has to do with all the stupid daytime kickoffs, but that excuse isn’t good enough.

Imagine being so spoiled that you complain about your program being featured on national television every week. Man up and scream until your lungs explode. Aw, you didn’t have enough time to drink before the game? Get up earlier. Screwdrivers and Bloody Mary’s are your friend.

The crowd, along with Miles’ intestinal fortitude are what beat Florida last year. Without both, the Tigers won’t beat Bama this year.

Prediction

This is a tough one. LSU has more depth and talent than Alabama, but Alabama is playing much better football this year. Perhaps Les Miles ought to think about hiring Mike Shula as a recruiting consultant. Right now, most Tiger fans just wish he would hire a defensive coordinator.

If Les Miles allows Gary Crowton to open up his bag of tricks and keep Alabama’s tough defense off balance, the Tigers could keep it close enough to win. It also remains to be seen if the atmosphere will be all it has been hyped to be. The only saving grace about the kickoff time is that the second half, the half when Alabama plays at their worst, will be at night.

I believe that the freshman quarterbacks will finally realize what this game means to the season and step up. I also believe that the defense will draw massive amounts of energy from the crowd and play lights out.

Sure, the sun will be up when Verne Lundquist finishes kneeling at the alter of Bama long enough to announce that the game is finally underway. And the sun will be up when the final seconds of the first half tick away and Alabama jogs in to their locker room up by one touchdown.

But in the dreaded second half, the sun will go down and the bright lights of Death Valley will highlight the electricity in the air. That’s when Alabama will turn into a pumpkin and their dreams are once again dashed by their superior foes from the bayou.

LSU 34, BAMA 31

Please read the other side of this Creature vs. Creature, written by an outstanding sports writer and Alabama fan Tim Croley, by clicking here.

Texas Tech's “Fun And Get Your Guns Up” Offense: Version 2.0

Brian Scott — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:33:47 -0500

Back on July 28, I was one of the few college football analysts in America that agreed with all the pre-season hype that the Red Raiders of Texas Tech were receiving.

Not because I had a crystal ball, but mainly because all the reasons to doubt this Texas Tech team given by the naysayers were absolute garbage. You can read Version 1.0 of this article here.

They were saying things like “lack of tradition” or “can’t win the big one.” Well, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, players and coaches make the team. Not past players or past coaches, but the guys wearing the uniforms and the headsets today, right now.

Of course, like all college football fans, I love talking about tradition and the glory days of a program. You can even argue that the past defines a program’s future in many cases.

But when it comes to winning football games, it’s all about dancing with the one that brought you.

In Version 1.0 of this article, I mentioned why I thought Lubbock was a great college town and how Texas Tech had a respectable tradition its own right.

But as far as the glory days, the Red Raiders are living them right now. I’m not saying that there isn’t a good reason to be excited about the future of the program, but this team will always be endeared by Tech fans for decades to come.

The remarkable combination of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree has been one of the exciting things to watch in all of college football this season. It was poetic that it was this same dynamic duo who connected for the winning touchdown against big brother Texas with one second left on the clock.

So much for not being able to win the big one!

In the pre-season, the Texas Tech fans I talked to were understandably excited about opening in the Top 10, about having two legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates, and being given a reasonable shot to win the Big 12 South.

But just about all of them still exhibited that hesitance, that burning feeling in the pits of their stomachs that maybe things wouldn’t work out.

Maybe Ruffin McNeil wouldn’t have the defense quite ready enough to survive a brutal conference schedule. Maybe the guys would fold under the pressure of having the almighty Longhorns come to town. Maybe a key injury would sack their dream season. In other words, they didn’t fully believe…yet.

Now, this is not a slight to Tech fans in any way. For a program that put up the kind of numbers they did year after year but still remained in the shadows of the Texas’ and Oklahoma’s of the world, they had a right to be skeptical.

But I think it’s safe to say that despite the all-night partying that no doubt went on Saturday, the churches in Lubbock were probably packed with believers on Sunday.

Red Raider fans, when I say that I understand…believe me, I understand. For as many thankful e-mails that I received from you after writing Version 1.0, I got twice as many e-mails from Raider Haters in Austin, Norman, Stillwater, and College Station telling me how much of a hack I was.

I just told them to admit that they were threatened by the talent at Tech and they didn’t want to let the up-and-coming program into the sandbox. Well, I don’t have to tell you that went over like a turd in the punchbowl. I also don’t care.

I also know what it’s like to knock off the No. 1 team in the land and rush the field. In 1997, my senior year at LSU, the Tigers beat Spurrier’s No. 1 Florida Gators, who were also the defending national champs.

I still have a Ziploc bag with purple and gold grass that I took from the field that night. It’s a memory that ranks up there with the two national championships I was fortunate enough to witness.

Now, I don’t want us to get too far ahead of ourselves just yet. While the Red Raiders have so far lived up to the hype, they still have a tough road ahead.

I’ve been to a game at Oklahoma and it’s no joke. The boys will not have that same warm, fuzzy feeling when they walk into Oklahoma Memorial Stadium as they had for the Texas game. Then there’s Oklahoma State, and a possible rematch with Oklahoma.

Before things get really out of control, take a moment to savor every last bit of it. You will be telling your kids and grandkids about this season, so make sure you soak it all in.

No matter what happens, this Red Raider team has taken a great fan base to the pinnacle of college football and you should be proud of them. Take it from someone who knows, being at the top is dangerous and short-lived, so enjoy it.

The point is, that while the Red Raider fans remain cautiously optimistic about the rest of the season, I hope you realize that you are witnesses to history. No, I’m not talking about the stupid election, I’m talking about the history of Texas Tech football.

You were alive to see the biggest game in the program’s history. You were alive to see the biggest game ever played in Lubbock. But most of all, you were alive to see your Red Raiders win that game.

What a great country! Guns Up!

Lou Holtz: From Legend to Laughingstock

Brian Scott — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:34:19 -0400

Over the years I had always put Lou Holtz in the category of living legends of college coaching, like Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden. After all, Holtz is the only coach in college football history to lead six different teams to a bowl game. But then Lou Holtz became an ESPN commentator, and that lofty image went out the proverbial window.

Holtz was the last Notre Dame coach to lead the Irish to legitimate national prominence, and for that we can certainly understand why Lou Holtz and the University of Notre Dame will be forever intertwined. But when you make the move to sports commentator, you are expected to be as objective as you possibly can.

Lou Holtz, however, has taken sports media bias to an unprecedented level of hackery.

Sure, some of the guys at ESPN have their biases when it comes to teams like, oh...let’s say...USC. But rarely are they obvious enough to shill for their own Alma Mater. Even Ohio State fans complain that Kirk Herbstreit, a former Buckeye, is too often in the tank for Pete Carroll and everything USC.

Mark May was probably a little too pushy in getting Larry Fitzgerald into the Heisman race in 2003, but he always joked about his bias toward the young receiver from his old stomping grounds in Pittsburgh.

When Lou Holtz first joined the ESPN college football crew in 2005, I really thought that the analysis of an experienced, battle-tested coach would be a welcome perspective to the lineup. But he immediately went to work touting the new Irish coach Charlie Weis, saying that hire would be the spark that would bring Notre Dame back to the forefront of the college football world.

The Irish had recruited some talent and beat No. 3 Michigan that year, but they were far from national championship caliber. While Holtz did help start a media hype campaign that landed Notre Dame in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, the overrated and outmatched Irish were of course routed by Ohio State.

Despite the embarrassing loss in a BCS bowl, the dawn of the 2006 season saw Notre Dame getting just as much love, and good ol' Lou Holtz was right there on board predicting an Irish national championship.

After playing a schedule that only pitted Notre Dame against three ranked teams, two of whom they lost to, the Irish were inexplicably invited to another BCS bowl. In routine fashion, they were destroyed again, this time in the Sugar Bowl by SEC West runner-up LSU.

With back-to-back BCS blowouts, college football fans assumed (more like hoped) that maybe Coach Lou would tone down the Notre Dame rhetoric and focus on the many other teams that were deserving of some hype. WRONG!

Lou Holtz looked at the camera, and with a straight face, he predicted that Notre Dame would win 11 games in 2007. Mark May almost spit out his food, and he wasn’t even eating. Holtz’s incoherent rants in defense of the fledgling Irish team earned him the unofficial nickname of "Granny Holtz."

Well, we all know that Notre Dame went on to start their 2007 campaign 0-5 and finished the season 3-9, including losses to Navy and Air Force. With the Irish giving Holtz little to talk about and a growing surge of unpopularity among EPSN viewers, the network decided to employ a new gimmick that they hoped would help reconnect Coach Lou to the fans.

Enter Coach Lou's "locker room pep talks."

Lou Holtz had somewhat of a reputation for delivering pre-game and halftime speeches that inspired his players to give their all on the field and espouse his "never say die" mantra. ESPN figured that a studio version of this talent might go a long way to repackaging Holtz’s reputation as a college football commentator.

It ended up having the opposite effect from what they had hoped.

Now, I have no doubt that if we asked anybody who played for Lou Holtz about his real life locker room speeches, the reviews would be glowing. But Holtz and ESPN should have known that there is a huge difference between preaching to a group of young men right before they go into battle and talking to a camera in a cold studio somewhere in Connecticut.

The irony is that while Holtz was fast earning a comparative reputation to John Madden with his meandering analyses that left many viewers scratching their heads, the real connection to Madden was that Holtz was about to create a football curse of his own.

Just like whichever athlete appeared on the cover of Madden’s video game ended up injured, whichever team Lou Holtz chose for his "pep talk" segments ended up losing the game. The curse became so prescient that as soon as ESPN announced which team would be receiving the "pep talk" that week, the sports books in Las Vegas would start getting pounded for the "cursed" team’s opponent.

Instead of being inspired, college football fans across the nation would kneel down in front of their TVs praying that their team wouldn’t win the death lottery and end up in Lou Holtz’s graveyard of formerly ranked college football teams.

It seems that in 2008, ESPN started to get the message and apparently told Coach Lou to tone down the Notre Dame propaganda. After all, I think Notre Dame was going to give him the statue anyway, right?

Fortunately for Holtz, the first few weeks of the 2008 season saw a spunky ECU team tear through two ranked opponents, earning an early title of possible "BCS Buster." Coach Lou was so excited on the set that ESPN had to install one of those salad bar sneeze guards next to Mark May just so he didn’t drown.

Did we mention that the Pirates were coached by none other than Skip Holtz, the eldest son of Coach Lou Holtz? Well, it looks like blood isn’t antibody enough to stave off the Lou Holtz curse, as ECU now sits at midseason with three losses. Whatever will Coach Lou talk about now?

Unfortunately, we found out last Friday what Holtz’s next nugget of wisdom would be. While attempting to make an awkward point during a discussion about Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez‘s leadership ability, Holtz said, "You know, Hitler was a good leader too."

Huh?

ESPN’s legal eagles quickly wrote a retraction statement for Holtz to read on Saturday morning, where he apologized for the flop, but the damage was done.

Now, let me state emphatically that no rational person could think that Lou Holtz holds Adolf Hitler in any kind of high regard, and I absolutely believe him when he implied that when saying Hitler was a "great leader" it was strict hyperbole. Lou Holtz is absolutely not a hatemonger or a Nazi sympathizer, and the blogs need to quit suggesting otherwise.

But I do believe that the instinct to even use Hitler’s name in any kind of sports analogy reinforces the popular belief that this sport has probably passed Lou Holtz by.

Holtz deserves to be remembered for his accomplishments on the field, as they are a noteworthy chapter of college football history. Conversely, every time he appears on television as a commentator, his legacy becomes further eroded.

Firing Lou Holtz might be too harsh a penalty for a man that has contributed so much to the game, but ESPN would be doing themselves a huge favor by parting ways with Holtz in a dignified way—say if Notre Dame were to offer him the AD position and he left on his own.

We should immediately know if anything like this develops, because we’ll be able to hear Mark May shouting from the ESPN rooftops.

The Mad Hatter And The 'Ol Ball Coach

Brian Scott — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:50:17 -0400

I know that when I first wake up in the morning, I always feel better after splashing some cold water in my face. Hopefully the LSU Tigers are feeling better after getting their heads dunked in the ice tub on their recent trip to Gainesville.

Now that the Bayou Bengals have gotten a glimpse of their own mortality, they have to prove that they are still good enough to contend for the coveted SEC crown. The first day of the rest of their season will be this Saturday, when they travel to South Carolina to take on Steve Spurrier and his upset-minded Gamecocks.

While “USCe” has its share of weapons this season, most opposing teams would have to consider the biggest X factor to be their legendary coach, Steve Spurrier. The “Head Ball Coach” has often seen his team outmatched and outplayed during his tenure in Columbia, but rarely has he ever been out coached. He was out coached last year in Baton Rouge, and there is little doubt that Spurrier has forgotten about it.

Coach Spurrier will have more weapons in his arsenal than he did last year, however, and he plans to use them. South Carolina is ranked at the top of the SEC in total defense and they will look to exploit the inexperience of LSU’s freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee.

On offense, things haven’t been quite so steady. Spurrier has benched quarterback Chris Smelley and settled on Stephen Garcia to handle the snaps. But the anchor of the USCe offense has been senior wide receiver Kenny McKinley. McKinley, who has broken many South Carolina records already, will hope to take advantage of a possible mismatch on the LSU defense.

LSU’s secondary has suffered without decorated safeties Craig Steltz and Laron Landry, both now in the NFL. Florida and Mississippi State picked apart the unit that has tarnished image of a program that has become known as “Defensive U”. Garcia and McKinley will no doubt try to exploit this weakness.

Spurrier’s former Gator team exposed an Achilles heel on LSU’s offense, and by stacking the box, they showed how to kill two birds with one stone: Stop LSU’s big back Charles Scott from busting through the line, and put enough pressure on Jarrett Lee that he makes rash decisions and poor throws. The groundwork has been laid, and the Gamecocks will try to execute.

On paper, LSU is the more talented team overall and should win this game if they play to their potential. If Jarrett Lee can show some confidence and poise in the pocket, his cannon for an arm can be deadly against any defense. Lee will need to lean on his fleet of Mack trucks of an offensive line to give him time to make good decisions and accurate passes. If he does, look for LSU’s talented receiving core to make more of an impact in this game.

While the Gamecocks boast the top overall defense in the conference, they actually lag behind LSU in rushing defense. LSU will need to pound Charles Scott through the huge holes that the offensive line was blasting open for him prior to the Florida game. If Scott returns to form, it will take some of the pressure off of Lee and make this LSU offense very hard to stop.

LSU’s defense has been nicked up lately. Boisterous defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, who was noticeably absent from the rushing defense against Florida, did not see much practice this week and is questionable for Saturday’s game. Charles Alexander expects to play despite dealing with some minor injuries this week. Linebacker Darry Beckwith will also be back on the field for the LSU defense and hopes to make a big impact against the Gamecocks.

In addition to the predictable game plan, don’t be surprised to see a few trick plays on both sides of the ball. It’s not likely that either team will see a holder flipping the ball over his head to the kicker who then scampers into the end zone, but look for some originality that could produce the same kind of “shock and awe”. After all, we’re talking about a live chess match between the ‘Ol Ball Coach and the “Mad Hatter”.

LSU 34 USCe 17

“Temporary Cranial Flatulence” Infects the LSU Defense

Brian Scott — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:50:54 -0400

After spending the last several weeks trying to get business and life back to normal after Hurricane Gustav, I figured that an important, albeit overlooked, problem plaguing this nation was as good a reason as any to return to the pack.

No, I’m not talking about the U.S. economy. In fact, many of you will be surprised at how much better the economic news will get after the presidential election. But enough about politics.

The issue I would like to shed light on today is a condition known as TCF (Temporary Cranial Flatulence). The condition is also known, in laymen’s terms, as “brain farts.”

TCF has plagued locker rooms and postgame interviews for years, but we are just now beginning to learn the depth of its impact.

When asked about how his squad will try to stop Tim Tebow this Saturday night, LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois said, "If we get a good shot on [Tebow], we're going to try our best to take him out of the game. ... With his size and his heart, it's hard to get a clean shot.”

Well, let’s just start with the obvious. No matter what, whether you’re joking or not, whether you are trying to get under the skin of your opponent or not, you never ever make a remark that can be remotely interpreted as willfully and purposely attempting to injure another player. Ever.

After all, this isn't Auburn.

Jean-Francois is the latest victim claimed by TCF, and it put his entire team in a bad light on a national stage. Smack talk is fine, and it should be encouraged as it raises the level of intensity going into a game. But Ricky’s comments crossed the line, thanks to TCF.

Now, Jean-Francois has since clarified his comments by utilizing the standard retraction line of athlete TCF sufferers: “We respect him as a player and competitor...blah, blah, blah." Well done.

But here’s the thing: Even though you shouldn’t say things like this about any athlete, why say it about Tim Tebow?

Look, as much as anyone over the last three years, I have dug deep in trying to find a reason to hate this kid. I can’t. He’s a good player, but more than that, he’s a great person.

There have been times when I think the sports media has over-hyped him, but that’s another story. The bottom line is that he was raised right, he is respectful, and he is a class act.

Last year, in the week leading up to the LSU game, someone posted Tebow’s cell phone number on the internet, sparking a barrage of phone calls and voice mails from the LSU die-hards. When Tebow scored a touchdown right in front of the student section, he playfully put his thumb and pinky up to his ear signifying a phone as if to say, “Call me.”

After hearing about the context of some of the messages left for Tebow that week, I thought that was a good-natured way of handling it. Unfortunately for Tim Tebow and his Gators, though, it wasn’t enough to get the win.

Which now brings me to this weekend’s matchup between LSU and Florida. Being in different divisions, this game was initially seen as part one of a possible two-part series between the teams—one in Gainesville and one in Atlanta.

Now that Florida has an unexpected conference loss at the hands of Ole Miss, this is a must-win situation for the Gators.

But even with the Heisman Trophy winner under center and a home crowd to cheer them on, this will be an uphill battle for Florida.

Let’s start with the crowd in “The Swamp.” Sure, it gets loud in there, and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium can be an intimidating venue for an opposing team. But let’s be honest—when your home field is Tiger Stadium, your team tends to be virtually immune from environmental factors.

Since their own stadium is universally accepted as the loudest college football stadium in America, don’t expect the Tigers to get rattled by the crowd.

Next are the X’s and O’s. As I stated in the preseason, Tim Tebow is not a pocket passer. When Urban Meyer announced that he would seek to keep Tebow in the pocket more rather than running with the ball, I said that was a mistake. We all saw how well that strategy worked against Michigan and Ole Miss.

If Meyer doesn’t let Tebow do what Tebow does best, the Gators will almost always lose on third and short situations.

The Gator defense is young but quick. The LSU offensive line is huge and among the best corps in the nation. They allowed freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee plenty of time to pick Auburn apart in their second half comeback on the plains.

Florida’s defense will have to put pressure on Lee, but more importantly, they will have to stop LSU running back Charles Scott. Scott has gained over 100 rushing yards in every game this season.

LSU’s defense has already (in so many words) stated their intention to go after Tebow, but they have not exactly put up stellar numbers in the secondary. If not addressed, this could be a major problem since they will be facing the top wide receiver in the nation, Percy Harvin. The Tigers will have to double team Harvin while keeping the pressure on Tebow, which will not be an easy task.

Ole Miss was able to beat Florida by keeping their offense on the field and eventually wearing down the Gator defense. I can’t believe I’m suggesting that LSU should adopt a game plan from Ole Miss, but hey...whatever works!

LSU 28, Florida 24

The Top 10 Worst Calls of the BCS Era

Brian Scott — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:02:18 -0400

Since incompetent officiating is fresh on the minds of college football fans everywhere, I thought it may help the victims of this latest hosing to know that they are not alone. Here, we examine the worst calls of the BCS era, which comprises the last ten years of college football.

Before I get a slew of e-mails asking me why so many of these games occurred in 2007, I can only tell you that it’s fitting that college football’s craziest season ever also contained some of the worst calls of the decade. But this is meant to be an interactive article, so please utilize the comments section below to bellow, rant, or add your own pick to the list.

Drum roll please, here’s the countdown:

10. Pen State vs. Michigan – October 14, 2005

This game was pretty painful to watch until both teams woke up in the 4^th quarter and decided to start scoring.

Penn State scored a late touchdown to give the Nittany Lions a 25-21 lead. On the ensuing drive, Michigan seems to get a lot of favorable calls that help them get down the field. The most notable officiating blunder, however, was adding two unexplained seconds to the clock that allowed Michigan enough time to score the winning touchdown.

9. .Ole Miss vs. Alabama - October 13, 2007

This was one of the most complicated calls I’ve ever seen. In real time, it appeared that the Ole Miss receiver and the Alabama defender both caught the ball and wrestled each other to the ground, then the Ole Miss player emerged with the ball. The problem is that the Ole Miss player stepped out of bounds first.

Here’s the thing, if he was pushed out then he can come back in to the field of play; if not, he can come back into the field of play but can’t be the first one to touch the ball.

The initial ruling was that it was a catch by the Ole Miss receiver on the five yard line or so (Ole Miss was down by three with little time left on the clock). Regardless of who was right and who was wrong, reviewing the video shows that every aspect of this play was disputable, yet the play was overturned due to alleged “irrefutable” video evidence.

As it turns out, the game had no impact on the big picture in college football because both teams went on to an embarrassingly pathetic season, but a win here could have given Ole Miss a confidence boost that they have so desperately needed since Eli Manning graduated.

8. UConn vs. Louisville – October 19, 2007

UConn was trailing Louisville in the third quarter of this game when the Cardinals were setting up for a routine punt. The snap went back, the ball flew up high off the punter’s foot, and Larry Taylor was the lone setback for the Huskies.

As the ball approached Taylor, he put his hand up to signal for a fair catch, but to the amazement of the Louisville special teams, Taylor took off with the ball. He naturally had plenty of room since Louisville saw the signal and defenders peeled off to head for the sideline. Instead, Taylor ran 74 yards for a touchdown.

As it turned out, the officials said that since Taylor did not wave his hand in a full back and forth motion, the signal was invalid. What they should have known was that if a fair catch signal is ruled invalid, the ball becomes dead and the receiving team forfeits the right to advance the ball on that play.

UConn went on the win the game 21-17, thanks to the punt return that should have been nullified.

7. Washington vs. BYU – September 6, 2008

This was the one freshest on our minds and frankly triggered the inception of this list. A close game that pitted the Washington Huskies against a BYU team that has been called a potential “BCS Buster” in the pre-season, had one of the most bizarre endings in recent memory.

Huskies quarterback Jake Locker had capped off an impressive drive by scampering into the end zone and bringing his team within one point of BYU. Locker, noticeably excited from scoring the go ahead touchdown, appeared to throw the football over his shoulder, but it instead flew up in the air.

The referee called it unsportsmanlike conduct, citing that the rules state if the ball is thrown high into the air it can be called for excessive celebration, according to the official’s discretion. The Huskies were penalized 15 yards and instead of a simple PAT, they had to attempt a 32 yard field goal to tie the game. The attempt was blocked.

This was obviously a ridiculous call as ball being tossed in the air was clearly not an attempt to “showboat” by Locker. Furthermore, seeing as how the call impacted the outcome of the game, restraint should have been exercised by the official.

On the other hand, if Washington’s special teams unit had converted a relatively easy field goal, the game would have gone into overtime and they would have had a chance to win. Regardless, it was a moronic call.

6. Temple vs. UConn – September 15, 2007

There was no excuse for this call seeing as how it occurred well after instant replay had been implemented in college football. Coming into this game, UConn had not lost yet and Temple had not won yet.

Temple’s defense played like warriors, sacking UConn’s Lorenzen six times and stuffing the Huskies offense on a crucial 4^th and inches play. UConn failed again later in the fourth quarter on a 4^th and 1 at the Owls' 28 yard line. These big stops by the Temple D gave them the chance to win.

Owl quarterback Adam DiMichele drove Temple to the UConn 11-yard line on the ensuing drive, setting up the wild and controversial fourth-down play.

Temple called a reverse to wide receiver Dyonne Crudup, who rolled left and tossed the ball into the end zone. A UConn defender deflected the ball, but a Temple player caught it in the back of the end zone with one foot still in bounds. The catch, however, was ruled out of bounds.

Despite indisputable video evidence that the ball was caught in bounds, the Big East replay official confirmed the ruling on the field, thus taking the win away from Temple.

This blunder didn’t have much of an impact on the season, but Temple was clearly in a position to win that game and they hadn’t done much winning in the recent past. A big win over UConn could have done wonders for the confidence of the players, coaching staff, and fans and they were clearly robbed of that chance.

5 & 4. Purdue vs. Penn State – November 3, 2007 & Illinois vs. Ohio State –

November 10, 2007

We’ll get to the reason why we had to lump these two games together in just a second. The fact is that both games had a ton of horrible calls that affected the outcome as well. But the really interesting thing about this pair of Big 10 games played on back to back weekends is that they are linked by a common officiating crew.

These games actually sparked an investigation of the officials which brought to light some very interesting factoids about the crew leader, Stephen Pramon. It seems that Mr. Pramon had previously filed bankruptcy, citing debts of over $400,000. The kicker is that two of the listed creditors were casinos.

While the investigation never came right out and accused Pramon of attempting to alter games he was officiating, it was certainly implied as a strong possibility. Pramon and his crew were eventually fired as a result of the investigation.

The reason why the OSU-Illinois game gets a slightly higher ranking is because the loss caused Ohio State to lose their #1 ranking. Illinois did play lights out football, and they certainly played good enough to win, but their effort was definitely overshadowed by controversial calls.

This game might have been even higher on the list had OSU not had a chance to play for the national title anyway.

3. Oklahoma vs. Oregon – September 16, 2006

Now we’re getting into the area where bad calls are more than just bad officiating, but have the makings of blatant cheating.

It was a hard fought game in Autzen Stadium and Oregon had just scored a touchdown to bring the score to 33-27. Oklahoma was ahead by 6 and there was 1:09 left on the clock. Oregon naturally attempts the onside kick and it is recovered by an OU player.

To the amazement of everyone in the stadium, the announcers, and everyone watching at home, they refs call for a review. It goes to the replay booth where Oregon fan and local Eugene resident Gordon Reise misses what everyone else in the world saw; that an Oregon player touched the ball before it went 10 yards and an OU player recovered it. It also turns out that the referee who called for the review was a high school buddy of Oregon coach Mike Belotti.

The ball was given to Oregon. What?!

To add insult to injury, during the ensuing Ducks drive there was a pass interference call on OU that was again under review. To no one’s surprise, the homer replay official confirms the interference even though the replay clearly shows the ball was tipped first.

Oregon gets the call, scores on the next play, and ultimately wins the game.

2. LSU vs. Auburn – September 16, 2006

It was one of those typical SEC smashmouth, defensive struggles. LSU was up 3-0 at halftime, and Auburn had scored a touchdown in the third quarter to make it 7-3.

There were two calls that robbed LSU of a chance to win the game. The first was a catch resulting in a first down by Jacob Hester. Hester made the catch, but then dropped the ball and it went out of bounds. It was ruled a reception on the field. The play was reviewed and could only be overturned if “indisputable” evidence existed. The replay clearly showed that Hester had possession and took two full steps before dropping the ball, but the replay official overturned the call on the field.

Then with 2:46 left on the clock, LSU was going for it on 4^th and 6. Jamarcus Russell dropped back and threw a dart to an open Early Doucet. Before Doucet could make the catch, an Auburn defender tackled him and drew a flag. The refs conferred and announced that it was pass interference on the defense and that LSU would advance 15 yards and get a 1^st down.

Inexplicably, the referee then waved off the flag saying that there was no interference because the ball had been tipped by a defender. Back to the replay booth. The replay clearly showed that the ball was tipped, but only after Doucet was tackled. This meant that the interference happened before the tip; therefore the interference call should stand.

The replay official overturned the interference and gave the ball back to Auburn. It was later discovered that the replay official was not only an Auburn alumnus, but was also a big booster to the program. I guess that’s how he got the job. Nevertheless, this blatant home cooking cost LSU a chance to play for the SEC Championship and possibly a national title.

1. Ohio State vs. Miami (Florida) – January 3, 2003 (BCS National Title Game)

Miami came into the Fiesta Bowl heavily favored and led by their standout quarterback Ken Dorsey. The game was an epic battle that went back and forth until the final seconds ticked off the regulation clock and the game went into overtime.

Miami scored a touchdown on their first possession, forcing Ohio State to respond in kind or lose the game. Ohio State fails on their first three attempts and ends up facing 4^th down and 3 on the 5 yard line. They must score or Miami wins the game.

Krenzel drops back and throws for Chris Gamble in the end zone, but the ball goes incomplete. Miami wins. But wait, then a referee who had apparently just woken up from a nap decides that he thinks he saw interference, he throws a flag.

They have to get the fans off the field and the coaches back to the sidelines. The flag came in way after the play was over and the Hurricanes were already celebrating a national title. Looks like Ohio State would get another chance.

The replay shows that the Gamble touched the ball and it bounced off his shoulder pads well before the Miami defender touched him. According to the official definition of pass interference, this was not it.

When later asked about why the flag was thrown so late, the referee said he was “going over the play in his head to see if there was interference. Huh?! Does he have a video-graphic memory? How about just looking at the Jumbotron?

In fact, if the call wasn’t so obvious that he had to think about it, perhaps he shouldn’t have thrown the flag on fourth down in overtime at the national freaking championship game. Sure, Miami got one more chance to tie the game and blew it, but the point was that the game was over but they were still playing because of a horrible call.

The one good thing that came out of this king of all blunders was the implementation of instant replay in college football.

Now if we can just get the homers out of the replay booths!

Game On: Back to Business in Baton Rouge

Brian Scott — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:36:00 -0400

The title of this article may be a little misleading considering that many people in the Baton Rouge area, and frankly all throughout south Louisiana, are still without power and other basic services. But please bear with me for just a moment, I promise that there is a point in your near future.

LSU officials will reportedly announce today that Tiger Stadium will reopen this Saturday night with a 7 pm kickoff against the Mean Green of North Texas. Last weekend’s home game against Troy State was postponed until November 15th due to damage sustained to Tiger Stadium, and the looming Hurricane Ike in the Gulf of Mexico caused officials to take a “wait and see” approach regarding this Saturday’s game.

Officials had even contemplated moving the site of the game to either the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans or to Texas Stadium in the Dallas area. LSU’s campus newspaper, The Reveille, is reporting that the LSU athletic department confirmed that the North Texas Game will go ahead as scheduled with a 7 pm kickoff in Tiger Stadium.

Hurricane Gustav had affected LSU football even before it made landfall in Louisiana, pushing the home opener against Appalachian State to a 10 am kickoff, thus largely eliminating the legendary tailgating ritual that Tiger fans have become famous for (although there were a few thousand die-hards hosting “bourbon over breakfast” parties in the pre-dawn hours).

Football being interrupted by the weather is an unfortunately familiar phenomenon to LSU fans, however. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused LSU’s home opener to be postponed and a home contest against Arizona State to be moved to Tempe. Then, a few weeks later, Hurricane Rita moved LSU’s SEC opener against Tennessee into Monday Night Football. To quote Alabama’s most famous Alumnus, Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.”

Sure, we’ve already had our 2008 season opener, but didn’t feel like one. I mean, hats off to Appalachian State for being a solid program, but all they did was prove once again that there is no comparison between the SEC and the Big 10.

In addition, speaking of 10, what was up with that 10 am kickoff? That made the experience feel more like a spring scrimmage than a home opener. However, this Saturday night, while the rest of the nation watches USC and Ohio State try to prove who is the “best of the worst,” a slightly different phenomenon will be taking place on the Louisiana bayous.

The bright lights of Tiger Stadium will signify the phoenix rising from the ashes after another destructive hurricane made its way to our shores. Once again, the resiliency of the people of Louisiana has been amazing. They deserve this break.

Since our generators have been getting a lot of use lately, we might as well drag them to our favorite tailgating spot and use them for fun instead of necessity. So, this is a call to arms Tiger fans! Fire up the iron kettles, get your ingredients for gumbo and jambalaya, defrost the alligator sausage, and marinate the ribs– because tailgating season is back!

There’s just no place like Saturday night in Death Valley. By the way, you’re all invited!

A Hurricane Party on the Bayou

Brian Scott — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:30:31 -0400

It’s unfortunately become a familiar routine. I just emptied everything out of my refrigerator and freezer and put it all in the dumpster.

If you don’t perform this ritual prior to evacuation, your olfactory senses will remind you of what a dope you are as soon as you come back home.

I want to apologize in advance if the tone of this piece is somewhat abrasive, but as many of you have probably surmised, my long-awaited LSU season-opener is practically ruined. Governor Bobby Jindal leaned on the new LSU athletic director, Joe Allleva, to move the kickoff of tomorrow’s game up to 10 a.m. CDT.

That basically means an extremely truncated tailgating schedule, a sleepy crowd, and a historical trend of underwhelming performance that seems to plague the Tigers whenever they kickoff before noon.

By the way, there is a potential Category Three hurricane named Gustav that is threatening to make landfall on the Louisiana coast in about three days.

I can assure you that I’m not alone in my anger, though. When the announcement came out this morning about the adjusted kickoff time, my cell phone melted. People were talking about issuing a recall petition for Jindal.

"This is tantamount to canceling Christmas!" they said.

I guess we sound quite demented. A potentially deadly hurricane is heading our way, and nothing less than life and property are at stake, but all we can do is complain about being inconvenienced for the football game.

Don’t get me wrong, Jindal has been a great governor so far (being considered a “great” governor of Louisiana pretty much means he has never seen the inside of a federal prison cell), but he didn’t go to LSU, so we don’t expect him to understand.

Here is a great example of how sacred LSU football is to the folks here in Louisiana. In 1998, Hurricane Georges was about 24 hours away from making landfall in New Orleans, and a sellout crowd was watching LSU play Idaho in Baton Rouge, about 70 miles away. That wasn’t a typo, I said Idaho.

LSU won the game, 53-20, and nobody left early. The PA announcer kept calling out which roads were being closed and urged people to leave the game early or they may not be able to get home. Nobody left. What’s wrong with us?

Before every game, the Tiger Stadium PA announcer, Dan Borne', reads a weather report. The report usually includes the temperature, cloud condition, wind direction, and velocity, etc. At the end of the report, he always says, “Chance of rain...NEVER!”

There is an old folklore about how it never rains in Tiger Stadium. Well, let me let you in on a little secret: It does rain in Tiger Stadium sometimes. I’m not supposed to tell outsiders, so please don’t rat me out!

And make no mistake, if Gustav keeps on the current track that Jim Cantore just illustrated while I was typing this sentence, then it's going to rain in Tiger Stadium on Tuesday. It’s going to rain a lot.

But here’s the funny part: I forgot to tell you about why the game was really moved up six hours. LSU officials didn’t want to feel the wrath of the fans who were already annoyed that the game was moved from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m. (for TV) by canceling it. The governor really wanted to start “contra flow” Saturday evening, so something had to give.

For those of you who don’t know, “contra flow” means that all lanes of the major interstates and highways flow in the same direction to aid evacuation of the New Orleans metropolitan area. If the game went ahead as scheduled, you would have thousands of evacuees trying to get out of the city while, at the same time, thousands of LSU fans were trying to get back in.

So this is seriously what happened: They moved the game to 10 a.m. and announced that contra flow would begin as soon as the State Police "felt that the traffic from the LSU game had completely subsided."

So you see, if you live in south Louisiana and a deadly hurricane is bearing down on you, you shouldn’t expect to be able to escape to safety until the Tigers have left the field and the fans have left the highways.

I know, we’re crazy. But a fan can’t really be a true fan without being at least a tiny bit dysfunctional. But the next time the debate comes up about who has the most die-hard fans, I just ask that you remember this story.

On a serious note, I greatly appreciate all the notes of concern I have been getting over the last few days from my B/R buds. I promise to stay in touch and let you guys know that the wife and I are OK. Who knows, you guys might be my main contact with the outside world for a while.

I guess it’s time to begin another “Hurrication!” By the way, today is the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Life is funny that way.

Top 10 Reasons Why College Football Is Better Than the NFL

Brian Scott — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:58:18 -0400

10. College football starts a week earlier

Sure, the NFL has preseason games. I’ll be the first to admit that the first preseason game is always exciting for me simply because it means the end of the late summer abyss in the annual sports calendar.

But let’s face it: After week two of the NFL preseason, I’m pretty much over it. The coaches are sparing their best players, and nobody really seems to be playing to win.

College football always starts on Labor Day weekend, a full week before the NFL regular season. Whoever said “all good things come to those who wait” must not have been a college football fan.

9. Saturdays vs. Sundays

To me, there’s nothing better than going to bed on Friday night knowing that you have nothing to do on Saturday except watch college football.

On the weekends when my team is on the road, I make sure I have all the food and drinks necessary so that I don’t have to get out of my chair unless nature calls or I need a refill.

One day I’ll get one of those relief tubes like the Astronauts have. If I also get a butler, I won’t have to get up at all!

On Sundays in the South, there’s usually church first thing in the morning. Then, if you’re like me, Sunday is the day that the wife usually presents you with the “honey-do” list that you feel compelled to do since you sat on your duff all day Saturday.

Even if you find a few hours to watch your favorite NFL team, you still have it hanging over your head that it’s back to work in the morning. That feeling always tends to take the wind out of my sails.

8. Better Rivalries

I will concede that there are some good rivalries in the NFL, but the lack of institutional tradition results in a void of true emotion.

The NFL will never have an Ohio State vs. Michigan, a USC vs. UCLA, an Egg Bowl, or an Iron Bowl.

‘Nuff said on this subject!

7. Stadiums

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been to many college as well as NFL stadiums around the country, and there’s no comparison. NFL stadiums are generally in a downtown or commercial area with little to no character outside of the venue.

The majority of college stadiums are on a college campus, which generally provides an environment that is peaceful yet energetic. This is especially true if you attended the college that you are seeing the game at—great memories!

6. Tailgating

Tailgating is the backbone of the college football experience. I know there are plenty of NFL tailgaters, but again, there is no comparison.

Most college football games have more people tailgating than the actual stadium capacity. The only time I’ve ever seen anything close to this in the NFL was in Green Bay.

I have also found that the setups at college football tailgate parties are much more elaborate. Most of the tailgate parties I see at an NFL game have corporate sponsors.

5. Players

Do I really have to go into detail here? I know that there are a handful of arrogant prima donnas in college football, but the vast majority of them play for pride. It’s also fun to watch a player come in, basically as a high school kid, and watch him develop into a young man.

I think Nick Saban said it best. (Paraphrasing) “The decision to return to this level came down to this question: Do I want to coach a bunch of immature, undisciplined football players...or do I want to coach college?”

4. Marching Bands

One of the most noticeable environmental differences between a college football game and an NFL game has got to be the marching band. The beating of the drums alone stirs up nostalgia from my old days in the student section.

3. Fight Songs

NFL teams have cheers, but few, if any, have a full-blown fight song. Once again, these traditional tunes are what really get the crowd fired up—even when their team is playing poorly.

This could have been merged with No. 4, but I felt it was significant enough to give fight songs their own ranking.

2. Bowl Season

The holidays are always a festive time of year, but the cherry on top has got to be the college football bowl games. Even the small, pre-Christmas bowls give you a reason to have a few lagers on a Tuesday night while your wife is at the mall—again!

There’s nothing better than finishing a big New Year’s Day meal, loosening the old belt, and plopping down on the couch to watch the first few January bowl games. It’s much better than making small talk with the relatives!

1. The Fans

The other reasons in this list all feed into why college football fans are better than NFL fans. The common denominator, however, is passion. Just like the players, college football fans are much more passionate about their team.

One of the reasons for this is that most NFL teams are city-based. If you grew up in an NFL city, then you are probably a big fan of that city’s team. That’s normal. You might even be a huge fan!

But the main difference is that many college football fans actually spent several years as a student in the respective institution. Being an alumnus of a college or university makes you part of a family, and even the crusty old Microbiology professors who are not big into sports will normally cheer for their Alma Mater on game day.

This passion is especially evident when you have a large university located in a small town. The university is usually the heart of the town, the largest employer, and the cornerstone of the regional economy.

Being the nucleus of the community generally leads to much stronger emotional ties for sports fans and non-sports fans alike.

Football season is finally here. We'll see you on campus!

The Healing Power of Sports

Brian Scott — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:07:57 -0400

Can you feel it? It’s the opening week of the 2008 college football season!

In New Orleans we have four seasons: Mardi Gras, Crawfish, Football, and Christmas. For me, football season is like the other three seasons all rolled into one.

I can already feel the air getting thinner. The scent outside is changing from the aroma that comes from steam rising off the concrete after an afternoon squall, and it’s being replaced with the smell of barbecue, gumbo, and whiskey...I guess it’s called “bargumskey.” It’s hard to describe, but trust me—it’s a welcome change.

In the distance you can hear the faint sound of a marching band practicing. The campus went from looking like a ghost town to bustling with activity almost overnight.

The previews are out, the gauntlet has been thrown down, and you catch yourself daydreaming about this weekend’s tailgating menu more than what would be considered a normal amount. Our cares are slowly melting away, and all seems right with the world.

Yes, my friends, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Rather than opening up the season with a run-of-the-mill team, conference, or national preview, I wanted to start with a personal reflection for the fans. Of course I’m grateful that my favorite season has arrived, but I’m even more grateful that we have made it through another offseason without a major tragedy.

One of the worst sports-related tragedies to occur in the United States happened in 1970, when an airplane carrying 37 members of the Marshall University football team, five coaches, and many prominent boosters crashed while attempting to land during a rain storm.

The university considered discontinuing the football program until the student body, led by a few surviving members of the team, convinced Marshall officials to field a team in 1971. While many people in the Marshall community were understandably reluctant, they came out in great numbers to support the new team.

In their second game the Thundering Herd, made up of mostly freshmen and walk-ons, came back in dramatic fashion to beat Xavier as the clock expired. It was reported that people stayed in the stands for over an hour after the game crying and comforting each other.

Marshall fans had no doubt sought many avenues to help them cope with their grief, but it was “the game” that caused them to confront their emotions head on, and together they found a way to start the healing.

On Sep. 11, 2001, the American people witnessed the deadliest attack on U.S. soil at the hands of radical extremists. The nation froze, trading was suspended, sporting events were cancelled, and our military was on full alert. Many Americans wondered how our mighty nation could have become so vulnerable.

Two weeks later, on Sep. 25, 2001, Yankee Stadium reopened for the first sporting event in New York since the attacks. The Yankees may not have known how much they meant to their city until they walked onto the field and saw the faces of the fans, many of whom were likely smiling for the first time in weeks.

The players joined members of the NYPD and FDNY on the field during the pregame ceremonies while a giant American flag covered the outfield. There was hardly a dry eye in “the house that Ruth built” as the crowd chanted “U-S-A! U-S-A!” If only for a moment, a baseball game made us feel normal again.

On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed in to the Gulf Coast with the force of a nuclear bomb. My city was destroyed after the levee system breached and Lake Pontchartrain spilled into New Orleans. Thousands of lives and billions of dollars in property were lost in the blink of an eye.

My LSU Tigers were preparing to host the Sun Devils of Arizona State on Sep. 10, but word came down from Baton Rouge that the players had walked off the practice field. They could no longer remain on the sidelines while military helicopters brought in the dead and wounded from New Orleans to what would become the largest triage unit in U.S. history inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The Tigers crossed the street and began unloading supplies, signing autographs for terrified children, and volunteering themselves in any way they could. They realized that they were more than just an elite football unit—they were human beings first.

LSU officials quickly realized that the usual 125,000-plus who pack the Baton Rouge campus would interfere with relief efforts, and there would be no way they could allow the game to go on as scheduled. Before they had time to put together a list of alternatives, the ASU athletic director was on the phone offering to move the game to Tempe.

Arizona State University turned out to be the classiest institution I have ever witnessed, and they rolled out the red carpet for the LSU football team and their fans. The LSU message boards were flooded with invitations from Sun Devil fans who were offering to open their homes to complete strangers should they want to make the trip.

Many also donated airline miles to assist in the purchase of plane tickets so that LSU fans could escape from the madness for a weekend and cheer on their Tigers. It was the most moving show of sportsmanship I have ever been a part of, and it burned college football deeper into my soul. Sun Devils, we will never forget it.

Most recently, on Apr. 16, 2007, the Hokie Nation of Virginia Tech was the unfortunate victim of the deadliest massacre by a single gunman in American history. The psychotic murderer, whose name I won’t mention because he doesn’t deserve to be remembered, killed 32 people and wounded many others on the Blacksburg campus.

It was a long, painful summer for the Hokies as they were forced to walk past the hallowed halls of the grisly scene and feel the fear all over again. But on Sep. 1, 2007, Lane Stadium became the site of a mass healing as the Hokie community gathered for their home opener.

What was initially a somber memorial for the lives that were lost erupted into an emotional firestorm when the first few notes of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blasted over the PA system. The sellout crowd unleashed a collective roar that was heard throughout the college football world. The fear had turned to hope, and the Hokies went on to a remarkable season.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the following week marked the Hokies’ first road trip of the season to Death Valley in Baton Rouge. Normally, a visiting team in Tiger Stadium is treated to the roar of a live Bengal Tiger parked in a cage outside of their tunnel, only to be followed by an even deeper roar from the 93,000 fans who consider it their job to inform the visitors that they are indeed far from home.

This time it was different. Knowing what the Hokies had been through, and also acknowledging one of the premier class acts of college football in head coach Frank Beamer, the most rabid fan base in America got on their feet and gave a standing ovation to the confused but relieved Virginia Tech players. I guess there is a first time for everything.

The healing power of sports should not be dismissed. I am not qualified to speak intelligently on effective therapeutic methods or to explain the effects of grief counseling, but I do know that something as simple as a football or baseball game can bring people together and, if only for a moment, give them temporary relief from their problems.

I first heard the term “escapism” from legendary singer and Gulf Coast native Jimmy Buffett. He uses the word to describe the effect his music and concerts have on his fans. For most people who are chained to a desk for 40 hours or more per week, the smooth Caribbean sounds that accompany Buffett’s melodious tales of boats, beaches, and bars allow people to transcend their everyday lives, if only for a moment.

The same can be said for sports. As we begin the long awaited 2008 football season, we should pause to reflect and be thankful that the offseason was free of tragedy, and that we can enter this season with pure hearts.

Take a deep breath and let it sink in. Football season has arrived folks, so let’s forget about all that ails us...if only for a moment.

SEC Fans: The Force Behind the King of Conferences

Brian Scott — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:07:48 -0400

It’s not clear why the sports media spends so much time debating which of the BCS conferences is the best. On paper, the answer is simple.

First of all, the BCS era only goes back to 1998. Second, college football is so cyclical that any attempt to crown an “all-time best” conference would truly be an exercise in futility.

If one strictly looks at the numbers throughout the first decade of the BCS, there is absolutely no question that the SEC has been the dominant conference. Any debate to the contrary would only be dismissed as emotional.

Now, keep in mind that the argument could easily be made that the Big Ten may have edged out the SEC in the first half of the last decade, but the SEC’s utter dominance over the past five years makes them the obvious top conference of the BCS era.

While the Big East barely squeaks past the SEC in the bowl game winning percentage, one should note that SEC teams have appeared in a bowl game about 30 more times than Big East teams since 1998.

In fact, the whopping 77 bowl appearances that SEC schools have made in the BCS era give them a commanding lead in this category. At a distant second is the Pac-10, with only 55 bowl appearances in the same time period.

But we can forget these and other facts—like that of the SEC holding more national titles, having more first round NFL draft picks, and finishing more teams in the Top 25 and Top 10 polls than any other conference since the inception of the BCS.

Because who cares about numbers, right?

With all the attention being placed on the stats, everyone seems to be leaving out the one true factor that keeps the SEC on top: the fans.

Did a light just go off in your head? If you close your eyes for a moment, you should see the image of John Belushi as “Joliet” Jake Blues standing in the back of the chapel with a ray of divine light shining on him and suddenly yelling out, “Elwood, the fans!”

Despite the fact that the Big Ten has some of the largest capacity stadiums in the nation, the SEC continues to shatter college football attendance records. In 2007, Alabama fans actually packed Bryant-Denny Stadium with 92,000 for the Spring Game!

Lou Holtz once said that while coaching at South Carolina, he was elated to find out that they had the 11th-highest game attendance in the nation. Then he found out that they were sixth in the SEC.

Even Vanderbilt, who only has a student population of just over six thousand, averages almost 35,000 fans per game in the post-Jay Cutler era.

The truth is that fans are what drive college football programs. Ticket sales mean money, which leads to improved facilities, which leads to better recruits, which leads to bowl games, national television, and more money!

College football in the South is much more than a sport. It’s an event, and for many people, an interpersonal experience. It’s a daylong (several days for some) festival where people migrate to the mossy oaks of a Southern college campus and celebrate more than just their team. They celebrate life.

SEC football is a tradition that is passed down through generations like a wristwatch or a hunting rifle. As soon as anyone has a baby in the south, they get inundated with toddler clothes bearing the logo of a college football team (you gotta teach the kid early). You'll never set your eyes on a more proud human being than when a young father takes his new son to his first tailgate party.

By the way, here is normally where we would describe an SEC tailgate party, but that could be an article all on its own.

Oh, and speaking of kids, you know those friends of yours who got married and started having babies, so you basically never see them anymore unless someone gets married or dies? Well, you’ll see those guys every Saturday in the fall.

This is what drives the passion. Many compare their love of college football and team allegiance to a religion. In the South, we have God, country, and football—and depending on who you’re talking to, not necessarily in that order!

It’s that feeling you get when you first wake up on a Saturday morning and you almost trip down the stairs because you can’t wait to turn on College GameDay. Later on, you’re halfway listening to your wife rattle on about God knows what while you’re loading up the SUV with enough food and drinks to sustain a 60-day standoff with the ATF.

Your cell phone is blowing up because everyone wants to know what time you’re picking them up. You wipe some sweat off your brow as you pass through the living room and suddenly you’re stopped cold in your tracks because Lee Corso is talking about your team and you can’t miss a word of it.

Then Lou Holtz comes on the screen and you immediately go back to what you were doing.

You’ve run through your mental check list for about the one hundredth time, and now you finally feel comfortable about getting in the car. You start the engine and then realize that the reason you felt like you were forgetting something is because you did—the tickets.

You wave goodbye to the wife (tickets now in hand) and your idiot neighbor, a Michigan State alumnus, waves back at you because he thought you were waving at him. Who cares anyway? He’s got an exciting day of yard work ahead of him.

You’re now on the highway, and a feeling comes over you like you were just released from indentured servitude. Home is in the rear view mirror, and glory lies ahead. This is, after all, SEC football.

Forget Christmas—this is the most wonderful time of the year.

Now, I’ve heard many people in the Pac-10 criticize the SEC by saying that the only reason they aren’t as fanatic about their football games is because the West Coast is the hub of entertainment in America, and there are just “so many other things to do.”

You know what? We’re OK with that.

You guys can have Paris, Britney (well, technically Britney is our fault), and Lindsay all to yourselves.

We’ll take college football!

LSU Fans Tell Appalachian State, "Not In Our House!"

Brian Scott — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:43:31 -0400

Every season produces a college football national champion, and every championship is always followed by yet another season.

Fans often watch the follow-up season of the national champions to see if they start as strong as they finished, or if they just fall flat. Sometimes they start off with a strong opponent, sometimes not. In some cases we could even see a rematch of the national championship game.

But on August 30, 2008, we will get to see the rarest season opener in recent memory—a battle between two champions.

The LSU Tigers finished a roller coaster season by winning the BCS National Championship for the second time in five seasons. The Appalachian State Mountaineers won the FCS National Championship for the third consecutive time last year.

So much for "cupcake" openers.

In 2007, Appalachian State shocked the college football world by pulling off an upset of the Michigan Wolverines in the nation's largest stadium, "The Big House." In 2008, they will travel to the nation's rowdiest stadium, and the undisputed "most feared road playing site in America," a place known affectionately as "Death Valley."

Though Tiger Stadium houses approximately 15,000 fewer fans than Michigan, you would never be able to tell by the decibel level.

When the Drum Major of the "Golden Band from Tigerland" approaches midfield and tosses his staff into the air, he summons the ghosts of Tigers from the past, and their spirits suddenly become visible in the contrast between bright lights and purple sky.

The entire band, in unison, then points toward the student section (which by this time has long since passed anything resembling rational behavior) and proceeds to blast out four of the most famous notes in college football, "Daaaah Dah Daaaaah Dah!"

92,000 fans, most of whom have been properly lubricated throughout the day, come completely unglued.

Now, the original words to go along with that measure are "Hold-That-Ti-Ger." But this year, in anticipation of upset-minded Appalachian State, the words have been changed to "Not-In-Our-House."

In fact, LSU fans have reportedly made T-shirts bearing the new slogan especially for this game. Whoever created the shirt probably didn't figure on a picture of it ending up in the Appy State locker room. Mountaineer quarterback Armanti Edwards made sure it was displayed for the whole team to see.

Edwards said he wouldn't be intimidated by Tiger Stadium, and he probably won't. The junior has shown unwavering poise and focus during his incredible career. But he should, however, feel very good about the fact that he has the undivided attention of one of the most rabid fan bases in the nation.

His only reported fear is that of flying. The trip to Michigan last year was his first time on a plane, and the trip to Baton Rouge will be his second.

"They said we had to fly," said Edwards. "Just like Michigan."

Well, one thing is for certain—this isn't Michigan. Welcome to Death Valley!

A short video outlining the upcoming champ vs. champ match up can be seen here.

Brian Scott can be reached at nolasportswriter@gmail.com

USA Today Coaches Top 25 Poll: Team By Team Breakdown (Part I)

Brian Scott — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:05:09 -0400

The 2008 college football season officially kicked off Friday with the release of the USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll. To read Part II of this series, click here.

1. Georgia (22) 11-2 1,438

The Bulldogs from Athens win the photo finish in the voting to secure the No. 1 slot this preseason. Veteran QB Matthew Stafford will no doubt be the leader of this squad after an impressive 2007 season.

Look for Stafford to have increased protection now that his offensive line has been battle-hardened in the SEC.

The Dawgs only lose one receiver, Sean Bailey, but bring in several talented freshmen who are sure to make an impact in the passing game.

Though he will line up behind Stafford, Knowshon Moreno is not likely to be overshadowed this season. The sophomore exploded onto the scene last year and is at or near the top of almost everyone's Heisman watch list.

The Defense returns nine starters, which should help Georgia's star-powered offense stay on the field.

Prediction: Facing a tough schedule that includes trips to Sun Devil Stadium and Baton Rouge, the Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them. If they can stay focused and consistent, they should win the mighty SEC and earn a spot in the BCS title game.

2. Southern California (14) 11-2 1,430

2007 was not a typical campaign for the Men of Troy. The Pac-10 was uncharacteristically competitive, and their starting quarterback missed three games with a broken finger.

If there was anything serendipitous about these events, it was that quarterback Mark Sanchez was able to get some real-world experience before taking over as the starter in 2008.

Many talented players are returning this year, not the least of whom will be sophomore Joe McKnight. McKnight is the full package and will likely multi-task as a tailback, receiver, and return specialist. Coach Carroll is trying to turn McKnight into the next Reggie Bush, so look for him to make a huge impact.

The USC defense is always strong and fast. If they can find a solid replacement for nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, they should stay at the top of the national defensive rankings.

Prediction: The Trojans will be put to the test early at what will no doubt be the "big game" of the regular season when Jim Tressel and his title-minded Ohio State Buckeyes come to town. If USC can best the Bucks, it should be a smooth sail for them to a PAC 10 championship and a berth in the BCS title game.

3. Ohio State (14) 11-2 1,392

The Buckeyes return an unbelievable 18 starters in 2008. Reloaded is not a big enough word for that.

As if practically bringing back the whole team weren't enough, Jim Tressel landed what was considered the No. 1 recruit in the nation in QB Terrelle Pryor. Tressel has said he wants to return to a more spread-like offense, so we should expect to see Pryor used much like Tim Tebow and Ryan Perrilloux when they were backups.

Todd Boeckman will handle the starting duties at QB with a year of experience under his belt, and will no doubt use his superstar running back "Beanie" Wells to move the chains.

The OSU defense will be anchored by Butkus award winner James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins, both of whom opted out of entering the NFL draft despite being strong prospects.

Prediction: Will the third time be the charm for the Buckeyes? If they can knock off No. 2 USC in their first road trip of the season, they will be in great shape to go undefeated. They just need to play convincing enough football to persuade the voters into giving them yet another shot at the crystal.

4. Oklahoma (3) 11-3 1,329

Bob Stoops looks to take his Sooners on a title run after several seasons of not being invited to the dance. Having QB Sam Bradford back as your team leader is a good start. Bradford had one of the most impressive performances for a freshman in recent memory.

The talented Oklahoma offense is implementing a no-huddle scheme that is designed to keep defenses on their heels. The veteran offensive line will need to lean on their experience to keep Bradford protected against some tough Big 12 defenses.

The Sooner defense will boast one of the nation’s best lines, but they are replacing two cornerbacks that opposing quarterbacks will try to exploit at every possible opportunity.

Prediction: With the only significant out-of-conference contests being Cincinnati and Washington, the Sooners will have to steamroll through their conference schedule to stay in the national title hunt. Their biggest test, believe it or not, will be when Mike Leach's high-flying Red Raiders of Texas Tech come to town.

5. Florida (5) 9-4 1,293

If Team Tebow played in any other conference but the SEC, we could probably print Florida's logo on the BCS title game tickets right now. With a brutal schedule that includes contests against four preseason Top 25 teams, two of which who are in the top six, the Gators may need to rely on a late-season loss from a rival to make another title run.

With Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow at the helm, the Gators will be the circle on almost every one of their opponent’s calendars this year. Urban Myer has reportedly asked for an offensive scheme that will curtail the amount of rushes by Tebow so that they can rely on up-and-coming running backs like Chris Rainey. Also in the arsenal is Percy Harvin who is easily one of the top wide receivers in the nation.

Prediction: There is some concern about the plans to keep Tebow in the backfield after watching his "pocket passer" performance against Michigan in last year's Capital One Bowl. It basically all comes down to the "World's Largest Cocktail Party" against the Georgia Bulldogs. The winner of that contest will win the SEC East and could play for a national title.

6. LSU (3) 12-2 1,163

The defending national champs are reloaded on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, the off-season dismissal of QB Ryan Perrilloux from the team has left the Tiger ship somewhat rudderless.

The quarterback derby is between junior Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch, red shirt freshman Jarrett Lee, and true freshman Jordan Jefferson. No matter who wins the job, LSU will have a QB who has never started a single game in college football.

The rest of the offense, however, is packed with a stable of running backs and a virtual fleet of F-16's at wide receiver. The new quarterback will also have the luxury of being protected by the best offensive line in the nation.

LSU has become known as "Defensive U" and this season will be no exception. Despite losing decorated defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, as well as coordinator Bo Pelini, the Tigers once again boast the top defense in the SEC, and possibly, the nation.

Prediction: LSU's soft out-of-conference schedule turned out to be a gift this year considering their QB quandary. While they have many tough contests against perennial SEC foes, the rabid LSU fan base is no doubt most anticipating the return of Nick Saban to Tiger Stadium on Nov. 8. If the Tigers can use their home-field advantage to stop No. 1 Georgia, they may find themselves back in Atlanta for a rematch.

7. Missouri 12-2 1,143

There may not be a more complete quarterback in the nation than Chase Daniel. The senior gunslinger, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, looks to lead his Tigers to another Big 12 North championship.

This time he'll have to do it with more of a running back-by-committee situation, but Daniel still has many talented targets at wide receiver.

The success of the Mizzou Defense was somewhat overshadowed by the superstar offense last season, but returning 10 starters to the unit should prove to keep them at or near the top of the Big 12.

Prediction: Still probably miffed about being overlooked for a BCS bid last season, Mizzou will no doubt be striving to make sure the phenomenon is not repeated. Gary Pinkel is lucky to have Chase Daniel's talent under center, but he also has to play in the same conference as OU's Sam Bradford and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell. The Tigers have the inside track on the Big 12 North, but will have to get over that hump to make it to a BCS Bowl.

8. West Virginia 11-2 1,008

It seems like we've known Pat White forever. That's what happens when you're talented enough to be the Mountaineer starting QB as long as he has. Although he lost his other half, Steve Slaton, to the NFL, the men from Morgantown are looking for yet another trip to a BCS Bowl.

With head coach Rich Rodriguez bolting for Michigan, Bill Stewart has come in and identified some strengths and weaknesses that could enhance his team's success.

Stewart will smartly reduce the amount of times White carries the ball in a game, noting that the only two losses West Virginia had last year came when White left the field injured. The Mountaineer offense should otherwise be on autopilot and left in the hands of their able star quarterback.

Prediction: WVU has a pretty smooth ride until Oct. 23, when Auburn arrives in Morgantown. If their defense can handle the load, look for the Mountaineers to repeat as the Big East Champs and land themselves in another BCS Bowl.

9. Clemson 9-4 999

It's hard to believe that Tommy Bowden is on the hot seat after being surrounded by so much talent year in and year out, but the folks in Clemson are ready for a championship. The Clemson offense is loaded with talent but will have to rely on an inexperienced front line to be successful.

The Tiger defense may be just what Clemson needs to get over the hump and win a conference title. The depth won't help coordinator Vic Koenning sleep at night, but if his starters can stay healthy, the unit should make a big impact on some of those close losses the folks in Clemson have become all too familiar with.

Prediction: Other than the season opener against Alabama, Clemson doesn't really get to the meat of their schedule until October. Nevertheless, they should have all the tools they need to make the ACC title game. If they can come out of the winning end of a few of those close games, this could be the year they finally make it to the BCS.

10. Texas 10-3 979

Vince Young cast quite a big shadow on the QB position at Texas, but Colt McCoy has put up some impressive numbers in his own right. Mack Brown and his Longhorns have been steadily rebuilding after their 2005 national championship, and this could be the year when we see how it has paid off.

McCoy has reportedly put on some size in the gym this summer and has sharply focused on increasing his speed. With a lack of experience in the backfield, we may see more carries by the junior quarterback.

The Longhorns have brought on Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, a guy who has a wealth of experience from his time at SEC defensive powers LSU and Auburn. Muschamp seeks to improve the pass coverage in a conference that probably has the biggest collection of quarterback talent.

Prediction: A tough Big 12 schedule that also sees Texas hosting the fighting Schnellenberger's of FAU and Bobby Petrino's Arkansas Razorbacks will test the depth of this Longhorn squad early. If Texas can handle their traditional foes like A&M and Oklahoma, as well as beat the much hyped Texas Tech, they could find themselves in the Big 12 championship game against Mizzou or Kansas.

To read Part II of this series, click here.

Les Miles and Snoop Dogg in the Baton R'izzle?

Brian Scott — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:35:36 -0400

It had already promised to be anything other than an ordinary summer meeting for the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge. The annual address by the head coach of the LSU Tigers always ensures a packed house, but this time there would be an unexpected special guest.

If anyone would have asked Les Miles who the guest would be prior to arriving, he might have guessed they were referring to his giant 2007 National Championship ring, which probably needed its own seat in the car.

The captain of the LSU 'ship received a raucous standing ovation as he made his way to the podium, and wasn't very far into his remarks when there was a sudden interruption. Apparently, there was a special member of the audience who wished to come up and say hello to Miles.

Famous rapper and music producer Snoop Dogg made his way to the podium. Snoop was in town after performing at a Baton Rouge concert venue the previous night.

“I just wanted to give my love and support to coach Miles,” Snoop Dogg said during his brief remarks. The full video of the appearance can be seen here.

It is well known that Snoop Dogg, a native of Long Beach, California, is a loyal USC fan and watches many of their games from the sidelines.

In fact, the appearance was a surprise especially to those familiar with Snoop Dogg's less than flattering comments about Les Miles in one of his songs. Apparently, Miles' assertion that teams in other conferences would have an easier road to the BCS title game than teams in the SEC offended Snoop.

The audio of Snoop Dogg's profanity-laced rant can be heard here.

Nevertheless, the rapper and the national championship coach seemed to have put all that behind them Wednesday, as their remarks were very complimentary of each other. Miles even said that he had become a fan of Snoop's music through his son, Ben Miles.

Breaking News: Saints Strike A Deal With Holdout Sedrick Ellis

Brian Scott — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:05:25 -0400

The New Orleans Saints have announced that they have agreed to a five-year deal with first round draft pick out of USC, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. The financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

The second holdout in three years was becoming a major source of contention with Saints head coach Sean Payton over the past few days. The Saints started their training camp on July 24, and Ellis will have missed twelve practices by the time he finally reports to camp.

"He's missing opportunities to get better, and that can affect his play," Payton was quoted as saying. "If you just look at the history of guys who have held out for longer than a period of four or five days, it hasn't been real good."

Payton is no stranger to dealing with a first round pick holding out. Two years ago Reggie Bush, another former USC Trojan, was taken by the Saints as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft. It was rumored that Bush was holding out to try and get more money than Mario Williams, who was picked first overall that year in a surprise move by the Houston Texans.

Ellis, who was picked seventh in the draft, is said to have made an impression on the coaching staff during rookie camp this past spring. Looking to bolster the pass rush on a defense that seemed to give up a numerous 3rd-and-long conversions last season, the Saints coaches were expecting Ellis to compete for a starting job in training camp. It remains to be seen how the holdout will hurt his chances while he plays catch up.

Ellis was selected as both an All-American as well as the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. He recorded 58 tackles and 8.5 sacks in his final season at USC.

The Saints are looking to find the form they displayed during the magical 2006 season when they played in the NFC Championship game. The 2007 season was largely graded as a disappointment plagued by injuries and position problems.

Texas Tech Fires Up the "Fun and Get Your Guns Up" Offense

Brian Scott — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:45:29 -0400

Like many obsessed college football fans around the country, the summer tends to be the most anti-climactic season of the year for me.

Sure, I enjoy spending some nice evenings sailing on Lake Pontchartrain and taking the annual vacation, but once the College World Series is over, I end up sailing right into the Bermuda Triangle of the sports calendar.

So when mid-June rolls around, the most exciting thing I do is roll down to the local Borders Book Store and look for the new college football preview magazines.

After thumbing through a lot of the predictable blather, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Texas Tech Red Raiders were in almost everybody's Top 20 poll. Many even have the boys from Lubbock competing for the Big 12 Championship, and possibly a BCS Bowl.

As the summer drew on, and I started to pour over the many articles and blogs that were developing about the 2008 season, and I noticed a pattern forming among many of the so called Big 12 experts. They all seemed to be indignant about the love that Texas Tech was getting this preseason, and downright scoffed at the idea of them winning the Big 12.

So the first thing I wanted to look for among these negative nannies was a common denominator of reasons to downplay the Red Raiders' expectations this year.

Most seemed to point to the fact that Texas Tech hasn't won an outright conference championship since 1955, and others put the spotlight on Tech's reputation for fielding weak defensive units that never match up to the high-powered offensive system that Mike Leach brought to the program.

Others used what they described as a "lack of tradition" at Texas Tech.

Well, I wasn't buying any of that garbage. Maybe they had a point about the last several years of Texas Tech defense, but let's give credit where it is due.

First, these guys don't play in a lay down conference nor do they have a cake schedule like some of our friends a little further to the west. The Big 12 is tough and packed with talent year in and year out.

Second, Texas Tech has to compete for recruits with the two intraconference big boys in their home state. And let's face it, when it comes to recruiting, Oklahoma might as well be located in the state of Texas as well.

Finally, let's look at the "sentiment" that Texas Tech somehow has a lack of tradition. This is where I really had to take issue with these "experts" since they strike me as Big 12 homers who didn't want to let the new kid sit at the lunch table. Besides, nobody can accuse me of being of being a Texas Tech hack (everyone knows I'm an LSU hack).

Everybody who knows me or reads my columns knows that I love college towns that love their football teams. I've been to college campuses all over the country, and nothing fires me up more than meeting rabid fans of football teams I previously knew little to nothing about. My first trip to Lubbock, Texas, was one of the best examples to describe this kind of experience.

In the fall of 2004, my wife (who was my girlfriend at the time) accepted an internship at Texas Tech University as part of requirement to her Ph.D. program. I flew into Lubbock and the first thing I noticed was that the town had no trees. Not a good start. But as we drove around, we eventually came to the university.

Now, I have been to Austin and College Station and I couldn't believe that there was another university in the same state that was this big. Complete with a Law School and a Medical School, this place was not only beautiful but was a world-class institution.

It was the day before the Texas Tech vs. TCU game and people around town were decked out in their red and black. They kept shaking their hands at each other with their thumbs and index fingers pointed out while saying something.

I asked my wife, "What did that guy say?" She replied, "Get your guns up!" I said, "What does that mean?" She replied while making the same gesture with her hand, "Get your guns up! That's Tech's cheer." I thought, "Wow. That's different."

On our way out of the campus gates, the guard in the guard shack stuck her hand out and gave us the "Get Your Guns Up" sign. At the sight of this, I knew I was in a real college town.

I found out that the game was an early Saturday kickoff and since LSU wasn't playing until later in the afternoon, I thought that maybe I'd check out a Texas Tech game.

We were in the store getting a few things and my wife suggested that I should buy a Tech hat for the game. I started to, but then decided that I would just wear a red shirt and try to blend in.

We headed for some lunch over at Spanky's, a college-town joint if there ever was one. It's basically a two-story burger joint right across the street from the football stadium with an upstairs balcony where you can eat out in the fresh, dry air of West Texas.

The menu said their specialty was their cheese sticks. I had never heard of cheese sticks being a specialty before so we got an order. Well, cheese sticks is a deceiving name for these things. Picture a Chinese egg roll stuffed with mozzarella cheese. They were about as fat as three of my fingers and as long as my whole hand.

With an appetizer like this, I was afraid to see the entree. Nevertheless, a trip to Lubbock isn't complete without stopping at Spanky's.

I woke up the next morning with an extra pound of mozzarella cheese still in my gut and stumbled over to the television set to catch ESPN's College GameDay. After watching for about an hour, I headed over toward campus.

When I was approaching Jones Stadium, I remember thinking that for such a big campus the stadium sure seemed undersized.

When I walked in I realized that there was a whole lower level that is below ground and surrounds the field, which is well below street level. You just don't see this kind of thing in Louisiana; we even have to bury our dead above the ground.

The stadium was packed with 50,000-plus and the place was rocking pretty hard considering it was before noon. Talk about a baptism by fire, the Red Raiders fell behind 21-0 in the first half.

It was like that feeling you get when you walk up to a craps table with a hundred bucks and walk away broke before the waitress even brings you your first drink. Quarterback Sonny Cumbie looked like he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn and the defense was on the back of a milk carton. The crowd stayed fired up though.

In the second half, what can I say? It was magic time. The Red Raiders erased their 21-point deficit in no time and the Mike Leach "Fun and Get Your Guns Up" offense was in full swing. There was another touchdown. Then another. I was incredulous.

Little did I know that I was witnessing the biggest come-from-behind win in Texas Tech history. The Red Raiders prevailed 70-35. I was a believer, and after the game I went back to the store and bought that Texas Tech hat.

Now, back to my analysis. Let's address this weak defensive reputation that Tech has wrapped around their necks. Nobody knows about this problem more than Mike Leach, as evidenced by his unprecedented move of replacing his defensive coordinator after a close loss to Oklahoma State last September.

Under the new defensive chief Ruffin McNeil, the Red Raiders led the Big 12 in total defense through their remaining eight games. Capping off the 2007 season with a Gator Bowl victory over a stout Virginia squad, I'd say that this Texas Tech team was pretty focused.

Oh, did I mention that Texas Tech is bringing back the first freshman ever to win the Biletnikoff award? I'm talking of course about the sensational wide receiver Michael Crabtree. But how can we not mention the senior gunslinger Graham Harrell?

Harrell threw for over 4,000 yards last year and is one of 18 starters to return to the Red Raider lineup. Did I mention that both of these guys are on the Heisman watch list?

Strengths: The Harrell-to-Crabtree connection will anchor what will be one of the most prolific offenses in all of college football this year. The Red Raider defense has found new life under coordinator Ruffin McNeil and is expected to keep improving.

Weaknesses: Texas Tech loses their money man in placekicker Alex Trlica, who converted 233 consecutive extra point attempts in his career. His replacement is likely to be true freshman Donnie Carona.

Prediction: Go ask anybody in Tuscaloosa or South Bend if "tradition" wins any ball games for you. The truth is that it's fun to talk about, but ultimately, it's only a lame comeback on a message board. With the traditional powerhouses in the Big 12 rebuilding this year, the conference is wide open.

If Ruffin McNeil can come close to keeping up with Mike Leach's high powered offense, this could be a very big year for the Red Raiders. Consistency is key, an art they haven't quite been able to master in recent years.

The first thing they have to do is win the Texas State Championship against in-state foes Texas and Texas A&M. The final test will be when they travel to Norman to face Bob Stoops and his reloaded Oklahoma Sooners.

Like I said, it is a wide open Big 12 this year and the Red Raiders have enough talent to take it all. By the way, if you still think there isn't a great tradition at Texas Tech, go to a game. Then go buy a hat.