We're going Bowling

Bloggers, the regular season in college football has come to a close and K9 is excited to bring you the bowl matchups that fans have are looking forward to watching. A rematch has been determined in the national championship along with bowl games between conference powerhouses. Plus, a coach’s new team plays his former team on January 2^nd.

                Urban Meyer (above) was hired earlier this past week by The Ohio State University as the new head coach. The Buckeyes were determined to play the Florida Gators in the Gator Bowl dated to take place on January 2^nd in Jacksonville, Florida. Although interim coach Luke Fickell will lead the Buckeyes through the bowl season replacing Jim Tressell from NCAA violations. This game gets more audience than expected from two teams that finished the season at an average record (6-6). Both teams struggled in their conference play where each team normally is a national contender settled low in their respective conferences.

                The National Championship has been determined as a rematch of #1 LSU and #2 Alabama. LSU defeated Alabama in Alabama, a low scoring game where defenses shined. LSU won 9-6 in OT. This game is all about defense just from watching the previous game. But, both teams have equally powerful offenses. I believe that this rematch on the bigger stage will have more of an offensive explosion than last time these teams faced each other.  Oklahoma State made their case to overtake Alabama in the BCS standings by defeating Oklahoma 42-10. They came short in what I believe would have been a better game in the National Championship. Voters agree that Alabama was the second best team in the nation and wanted to see a rematch on January 9^th.

 ( Wisonsin RB Monte Ball, scored 38 TD's this season, one shy of record holder Barry Sanders)

                Wisconsin emerged as the winner of the Big Ten title and a bid to the Rose Bowl to battle the Pac 12 champion in Oregon.  Clemson, the winner of the ACC will play Big East champion West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Following Oklahoma State’s disappointment in not receiving a birth into the national championship, they look forward to playing Stanford and probable #1 pick in the NFL draft Quarterback Andrew Luck. Rounding out the BCS bowls is Michigan vs. Boise State in the Sugar Bowl. Michigan receiving a BCS bowl berth for the first time since putting in the spread style offense. Last time the Wolverines were invited to the bowling season was 2006. Michigan ended there seven game skid this year against arch rival Ohio State.

Go Buckeyes! K9 out!

The Collapse of Penn State

               

Bloggers, it’s been awhile. K9 has a lot of news to catch you up on. The “game of the century” turned out to not be as entertaining as once thought. We have a scandal that will make your bones cringe and your hair stand up; the loss of one of the faces of college football.

                First the LSU, Alabama, #1 vs. #2 teams in the nation ended up being a game filled with field goals. Alabama went 2-6 in field goals during regulation. As this game moved into overtime nothing else was expected as they missed another field goal.  LSU scored a touchdown in the first overtime that was deciding factor in the game. The game was supposed to be the game of the century but ended up being just a game of field position and field goals. LSU came out victorious at Alabama, but don’t feel sad to bad Alabama fans because there is a good chance they could meet again on an even bigger stage: The National Championship.

The Penn State Scandal has been the talk of college football the past week. All of the country Penn State alums are praying for the university but more there famous head football coach Joe Paterno. Nearly six decades of achievements Joe Paterno brought to the board of education at the Penn State. But, his sin in not fully explaining what happened between Jerry Sandusky resulted in him losing his job. Jerry Sandusky was a defensive coordinator for Penn State where he coached two of Paterno’s national championship teams. Sandusky was indicted on charges of sexual assault to minors. He allegedly had sexual contact with under age kids in the showers. Reports show that Joe Paterno knew about the allegations and did the bare minimum to report it to authorities.

Above is Coach Joe Paterno.

                Now, in no way am I in favor of what happened to those kids and Jerry Sandusky is a sick disgusting man for even being involved in charges like that.  I am astonished that someone in that high of power at a university would even consider something grotesque as the “allegations.” I believe that what happened to Joe Paterno is unjust. There is no way you can look at a man who has been the face of not only your university but college football around the world, and say “you’re done.” He did what he believed was necessary, it wasn’t his fault that the people he told were not able to follow through with the information they received.  Joe Paterno should still be coaching the Nittany Lions. I feel as if he didn’t do anything wrong in this case. He told authorities and moved on from it. Yea, hindsight maybe he should have went right to the police and have told them, but I can also think about what it was like for him at that time. With someone who he’s been working with for such a long time just completely abolish there reputation and your respect by doing something like that?! If I were Joe Pa, I would have been speechless and honestly wouldn’t know what to do. I feel as if he got “paralyzed” in what was happening around him and that resulted in him not communicating with the correct people.

                Forever Joe Paterno will be the face of Penn State. K9 Out!

Regular Season National Championship

Bloggers! DKing is pumped to bring you the regular season national championship. That’s right #1LSU @ #2 Alabama Saturday night 8PM. If you don’t have a house party or are at a house party for this game, you’re crazy!

            This is the third time in the past five seasons, the top two teams in the national will face off in the regular season. This game is filled with big topics from the coaches and players to the stage as this could be a preview of the SEC championship game.

            Both teams are from separate divisions in the SEC thus, could end up playing each other again in the SEC championship game. But, behind each team are two legendary coaches. Nick Saben leads the Crimson Tide as they have been atop the standings in college football for some time now.  He is a strong coach who plays a little conservative but will also be willing to make the big play when it counts the most. On the opposite sideline is Les Miles leading the LSU tigers. He is a risk taker and is known to be very successful at the same time. Known for the infamous fake FG where the kicker runs the ball into the end zone from an option behind the head of the holder. Les Miles and Nick Saben’s names will forever be among the top coaches in college football history. 

            Besides the biggest game of the regular season some more big games will be played this weekend as #7 Arkansas hosts #9 South Carolina. These SEC powerhouse teams can run the tables if both LSU and Alabama lose.

            SEC has once again proven to be the best conference in the nation. 7 teams are in the top 25, but 4 are in the top 10. Could this conference hold the winner of the national championship? Stay tuned bloggers, were in for a great rest of the season.

College Football Week 9

WHATDD UP BLOGGERS?! DKing is back to bring you the updates of college football. First, we got Michigan State vs Wisconsin in what some might call the game of the year. Also, we got big upsets in the top five teams.  Plus, we’ll bring you the new BCS rankings.

                First, we had #16 Michigan State hosting #6 Wisconsin. Wisconsin got an early lead in the first quarter going up 14 points. Then Michigan State came back and scored 23 unanswered points in the second quarter.  Defensive battles took place in the third quarter as only Wisconsin was able to score a field goal.

Then the beginning of the fourth quarter. Michigan state had given up two touchdowns where the game was tied 31-31. As time expired Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins threw up a 45 yard Hail Marry as Michigan States last chance to score before overtime. The pass was tipped by a Wisconsin defender and caught by Keith Nichols at the one yard line. He pushed his way into the end zone and won the game with no time left on the clock. It was one of the best plays I’ve ever seen and won’t be forgotten.

But, Michigan State beating Wisconsin wasn’t the only upset in the top 10 as #3Oklahoma lost to unranked Texas Tech. The game was a shootout as Tech prevailed 41-38. Oklahoma known for a powerful defense was unable to stop the high power offense of the red raiders.

Since the loss of Oklahoma, the BCS now has a change up in their top 5. #1 LSU still remains the top team in the nation, and Alabama occupies the #2 spot. This sets up a 1 vs 2 matchup next week as LSU travels to Alabama. Rounding out the top five is Oklahoma State, Boise State and Clemson.  It’s a nice change seeing an ACC team inside the top five where Clemson who has been destroying teams inside there conference. With LSU playing Alabama and Oklahoma playing Oklahoma State, Clemson has an opportunity to be in the contention for the national championship game.

A couple big games this week as #11 Michigan State plays at #14 Nebraska. Also,  #9 Oklahoma plays at #8 Kansas State, a team that has been flying under the radar as of late.  My game of the week is #15 Wisconsin coming into the horseshoe late Saturday night to play Ohio State at home.  Some great games to watch this week as the “regular season national championship” is next weekend.  DKing out!

BCS Poles

Bloggers, DKing is back online to bring you’re the latest news in College Football. We got the years first BCS rankings to discuss. Also, there is the buckeyes triumphant victory over ranked Illinois, and we take a look at the big games this upcoming weekend.

            The Bowl Championship Series is the system that college football has used to declare a national champion since 1998. It’s tradition that after each team plays in the conference games, the number one and number two teams in the country face off in the national championship game. Every year college football fans across the country enjoy when the first set of rankings appear. To start off the top three are listed as LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma respectively.

            It wasn’t a surprise when those teams were announced Sunday night as the top teams in the national that are competing for their shot to travel to New Orleans in the national championship. But, there is still a lot of teams out there that have yet to be challenged as the top eight teams in the BCS are still undefeated.  To me, I believe that LSU #1 will play #3 Oklahoma in the national championship game, a rematch from a couple years ago when they played in the Fiesta Bowl in 2010.

            The Buckeyes are back! They had a tremendous game against #15 Illinois, where freshman quarterback Braxton Miller led the buckeyes to a 17-10 win at Illinois. As Miller only threw four passes and completed one, that one completion was a touchdown that ended up deciding the victory. The Buckeyes look ahead to hosting #6 Wisconsin on October 29^th.

            Big games this week are #20 Auburn at #1 LSU.  #6 Wisconsin plays at #16 Michigan State and #4 Oklahoma State plays at Missouri. Thanks Bloggers, DKing out!

Heading into Conference Play

             Whatdup bloggers? The Arra of college football has returned during the beginning of RIVARLY WEEK! It’s week 6 and we got some big news in the lives of college football fans, a new number one has taken over as “king of the hill” in college football, the beginning of the end for Ohio State and we talk about which conference is the best.

            First and for most, LSU takes over the new number 1 ranking in college football. This week they won’t have an easy game as they take on #12 Florida in Baton Rouge Saturday night at 3:30. This makes 4 straight years a SEC team has been ranked #1 in the country during the regular season.

But, to be honest I can’t blame the voters. LSU’s defense has been top notch this season not taking any crap from West Virginia or Oregon. Not only would LSU have my vote in SEC championship game right now but, I would pick them to win the BCS National Championship right now at this point in the season. Behind LSU is another SEC team in Alabama. Stanley and I cannot wait for November 5^th when these teams due battle at Alabama.

             Although this is just getting towards the middle of the season so major rivals are arriving across the country.  The Red River Rivalry is this weekend as #3 Oklahoma plays #11 Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. Texas is struggling to identify themselves in the nation that last season is in the past and that they are back to win the Big 12. A win against Oklahoma would definitely raise some eye brows and get them noticed on a national level.

            Another rivalry game is #15 Auburn plays #10 Arkansas. Arkansas who is coming off a win against Texas A+M at the southwest classic, looks to begin conference play by making a statement in the SEC West. They were lucky to get the win after their defense giving up 500 yards of offense and 38 points. But, as Coach Dlugosz always tells us, “a win is a win.”

            Last but not least, what happened to Ohio State? They looked terrible against Michigan State, a team they could have beaten. Not only have they not found a starting quarterback but struggled on offense getting any yardage. This week they play at #14 Nebraska, a team that will put points on the scoreboard often. So, will Ohio State pull something together under the new coach, or blame this season on Terrell Pryor for how he got rid of Coach Tressell and just hope to go 500% for the rest of the season. DKing out!

Week 4 + Conferences

               Week 4 begins with a blowout as the start of conference play between some power-house football teams.  The BIG 12 has two top 10 teams squaring off in the desert on Saturday afternoon as #7 Oklahoma State travels to #8 Texas A+M.  There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Big 12 after so many teams left the conference this past summer and with the future of the conference unknown it’s a thrill to start of conference play with a bang. Stanley and I have already designated it as the game to watch at 3:30.

                The SEC opens conference play with #14 Arkansas traveling to #3 Alabama. This game on at 3:30 will show off the speed that the SEC holds, and there tradition of dominating out of conference teams. But, keep an eye on #2LSU traveling to #16 West Virginia in a game filled with blue and gold. This night game will be determined through special teams because both teams are able to put points on the scoreboard but there lies question marks in each team’s defense.  Although Les Miles will be coaching in a hostile environment, there isn’t a doubt in the great Stanley’s mind that LSU should not get the win.

                 Stanley and I have our Saturday all planned out with some great college football games. One topic that is just hard to break away from is the fact that every conference is changing teams. This past weekend the University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University each signed a letter saying they want to leave the Big East. Okay, now I know that the Big East has not been the most successful conference in football for since Donovan McNabb went to Syracuse in the last 1990’s. But, COME ON! You want to be the team to beat in the Big East instead of West Virginia or Cincinnati, why don’t you get your players motivated and play some hard core football and win some non-conference games and make some noise in the bowls instead of being the laughing stock of the BCS.  I can understand why some schools are wanting to leave there conference just because the competition is tough and they haven’t been able to be successful or they want to leave just because the location of their college compared to the other conferences.  To be completely honest the way the conferences were set-up before the summer of 2011 were fine and should have remained the same. I don’t have a problem with Nebraska entering the Big 10, or Colorado moving to the Pac 12 so that teams that deserve to be in an automatic qualifier conference like Boise State and TCU could make a move into larger conferences. It just seems that since one team has made the transition to a new conference that every other team wants to jump on the “bag wagon” and follow what others are doing. The way the teams are set-up in each conference should not be about how much money the team can make through endorsements or about television programs, it should be about COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

NCAA vs NFL

              One argument that seems to go on between friends and family is which sport is better in general, college football or professional football.  What is truly “better”?  I consider better into three seperate categories: players commitment, percentage watched on t.v. and game's atmosphere.

 College Football                                                                                                          NFL

                   VS

              

Okay, once a college player makes it to the NFL sometime changes about their personality. To me, it seems that as soon as they are able to sign the big contract and get endorsements from huge multi-million companies they lose focus on what’s important which is the game of football. I feel that athletes lose the desire and motivation they had when they were just playing the game because they loved to play.  That once money got thrown into the equation they think that they are something amazing and lose focus on playing for the team. In college football, each athlete may not make it to the NFL; their main purpose is to gain an education.  I just believe that it’s all about the money to professional athletes in any professional sport, and that playing for a team and college is more of a message that American’s should hear.  So, in terms of player’s commitment I believe that college football has more committed athletes.

                 When comparing sports one thing that needs to be brought up is how often is such sports are televised and how many people watch the event. For instance, the Super Bowl is the most watched sporting event in the country every year.  On the contrary the college football national championship is among the top watched event every year in sports.  But, on a week to week basis there is fantasy football and other games involved with the NFL thus, in reality, the NFL is probably watched more or televised more to the American public then college football.

                Lastly is the game’s atmosphere. Ever been to Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, or Florida on a Saturday afternoon in autumn? These are just a few of the many college football stadiums in the country that pack over 100,000 screaming fans into their stadium to see their favorite team take the field. Compared to the NFL, where most of the fans are there to see their team win but it is often not at the intensity level of a college football game is at. There is just something about an entire student section all wearing matching colors to scream for 60 minutes as there team battles for a victory.  In terms of the game’s atmosphere I give the edge to college football.

                Thus on a 2-1 victory, College football is arguably better than the NFL.

Football Returns, the 2011 Opening Weekend

            It didn’t take much for Stanley and I to get excited for the opening college football season. Our whole weekend consisted of watching football games and eating cheese.

<-- Stanley

         Friday night after the Shoremen victory over the Raiders of Shaker Heights, Stanley decided to rest and watch some football. #14 TCU was playing Baylor, a team that you would expect TCU to beat. But, Baylor came out on fire and ended up beating TCU 50-46. Stanley and I looked deep into each other’s eyes and were awestruck by the first game we watched of the 2011 college football season.

                 Saturday afternoon began with a late breakfast and a quick run through the metro parks, Stanley “the babe magnet” Doogers, got every hot woman’s attention when he was running through the park with his well-groomed fur coat and his puppy dog brown eyes. He’s always fun to take running in the metro parks. Once we got home we watched some more football. Notre Dame was playing South Florida, where Lou Holtz’s (a famous Notre Dame Coach) son was playing his dad’s Alma matter. This game was thrilling due to the fact that Notre Dame had twice as many yards as South Florida but with 5 turnovers, quite depressing.  

                That night Stanley and I made marshmallows around the fire and had a 6-pack of soda while the game of the week came on: Oregon vs. LSU in Dallas TX. This game was packed with entertainment as LSU ended up winning 40-27. Stanley wanted Oregon to win while LSU was my favorite team this year, so we had our own little fights during the game.

                             Next weekend Stanley and I will probably be following the same schedule but this time watching games such as Georgia vs. South Carolina and Notre Dame at Michigan!