College football elitists are pretty happy right about now. Boise State just choked at Nevada, losing 34-31 in overtime, thanks to two missed chip shots by its kicker - a 26-yarder at the end of regulation, and a 29-yarder in overtime.
The Broncos loss knocks them out of any BCS talk, and with Auburn and Oregon both winning earlier Friday night, a matchup between the Pac-10 champion and soon-to-be SEC champ in the national title game is all but assured.
Clowns like the previously mentioned Ohio State president will laud this as good news for the game, but it's anything but. Now those who hope for a playoff someday in college football, like me, must rest their hopes on Texas Christian to crash the BCS party and upset the status quo. Then again, even if TCU does end up in the Rose Bowl, even a win wouldn't mean much, since the Horned Frogs will get no shot at one of the other unbeatens.
Give credit to Nevada on a huge win for the program. But on Friday night in Reno, the Wolf Pack dealt a blow to the argument that small-conference teams can compete with the big boys, because now Boise State won't get a sniff of a BCS conference foe for quite some time.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Let them play
As each college football season develops, at some point, I think to myself, “This is the year that’s going to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the BCS doesn’t work and the sport absolutely needs a playoff.”
Every year, I’m wrong.
That hasn’t stopped me, however, from keeping that hope alive in 2010. Oregon, Auburn, Texas Christian and Boise State all are undefeated, and rank 1-4, respectively, in the most recent BCS standings.
With a win tonight over Nevada, Boise State should overtake TCU for the No. 3 spot, but in the BCS, No. 3 means very little. As far as Boise State and TCU are concerned, it probably makes no difference which of them finishes No. 3 and which is No. 4, because there’s a good chance they’ll end up playing each other again in a BCS bowl game.
If Oregon and Auburn win out, all that’s on the line for Boise State is which color jersey the Broncos will wear — and whether they’ll be the home or away team on the scoreboard — in their bowl game.
College football is broken, yet ignoramuses like Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee, who recently declared that Boise State and TCU have no business in a national championship game, cling to the BCS like Christians to the Bible — another outdated work.
Anyone who read the cover story in the Nov. 15 issue of Sports Illustrated has a good idea of why a playoff is unlikely anytime in the near future. The short answer is that bowl games earn far too much money for the powers that be to be done away with.
But if ever there were a situation that could convince the NCAA that a tournament is necessary, this might be it. What if the Ducks, Tigers, Horned Frogs and Broncos all finish undefeated? Auburn and Oregon will play each other in what, admittedly, could be a pretty entertaining title game, while TCU and Boise State beat on each other, and beat their heads against the wall, in one of the other big bowl games.
Wouldn’t you love to see Boise State play Oregon or Auburn for the national title? I would, but if all three finish unbeaten, it’s simply not going to happen.
Every year, I’m wrong.
That hasn’t stopped me, however, from keeping that hope alive in 2010. Oregon, Auburn, Texas Christian and Boise State all are undefeated, and rank 1-4, respectively, in the most recent BCS standings.
With a win tonight over Nevada, Boise State should overtake TCU for the No. 3 spot, but in the BCS, No. 3 means very little. As far as Boise State and TCU are concerned, it probably makes no difference which of them finishes No. 3 and which is No. 4, because there’s a good chance they’ll end up playing each other again in a BCS bowl game.
If Oregon and Auburn win out, all that’s on the line for Boise State is which color jersey the Broncos will wear — and whether they’ll be the home or away team on the scoreboard — in their bowl game.
College football is broken, yet ignoramuses like Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee, who recently declared that Boise State and TCU have no business in a national championship game, cling to the BCS like Christians to the Bible — another outdated work.
Anyone who read the cover story in the Nov. 15 issue of Sports Illustrated has a good idea of why a playoff is unlikely anytime in the near future. The short answer is that bowl games earn far too much money for the powers that be to be done away with.
But if ever there were a situation that could convince the NCAA that a tournament is necessary, this might be it. What if the Ducks, Tigers, Horned Frogs and Broncos all finish undefeated? Auburn and Oregon will play each other in what, admittedly, could be a pretty entertaining title game, while TCU and Boise State beat on each other, and beat their heads against the wall, in one of the other big bowl games.
Wouldn’t you love to see Boise State play Oregon or Auburn for the national title? I would, but if all three finish unbeaten, it’s simply not going to happen.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving football results
Rogers and Portsmouth have football victories to be thankful for today. Portsmouth avenged last year's lost to Middletown with a 21-6 win at Gaudet Middle School while Rogers started a new tradition with a 34-8 win over Tiverton in the first regular-season meeting between the two programs.
Rogers, which wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Division III playoffs weeks ago, finished its undefeated regular season in the league. Christian Cancel earned game MVP honors for Rogers for his contributions on both sides of the ball. He caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Cody Platt and caused problems for the Tiverton offense all day.
John DeCosta was named Tiverton's top player. The senior scored the Tigers' only touchdown on a 27-yard run.
Senior quarterback Ben Willett and sophomore running back Austin Szczepaniak led Portsmouth's offense, which racked up 371 yards on the ground. Willett gained 230 yards on 37 carries while Szczepaniak had 147 yards on 28 carries.
Middletown senior Rico McCray returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, but was limited on offense. He finished with 66 yards on 17 carries as Portsmouth out-gained Middletown 391-103.
Check out the Friday edition of The Daily News for full results, reaction and photos from both Thanksgiving games.
Rogers, which wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Division III playoffs weeks ago, finished its undefeated regular season in the league. Christian Cancel earned game MVP honors for Rogers for his contributions on both sides of the ball. He caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Cody Platt and caused problems for the Tiverton offense all day.
John DeCosta was named Tiverton's top player. The senior scored the Tigers' only touchdown on a 27-yard run.
Senior quarterback Ben Willett and sophomore running back Austin Szczepaniak led Portsmouth's offense, which racked up 371 yards on the ground. Willett gained 230 yards on 37 carries while Szczepaniak had 147 yards on 28 carries.
Middletown senior Rico McCray returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, but was limited on offense. He finished with 66 yards on 17 carries as Portsmouth out-gained Middletown 391-103.
Check out the Friday edition of The Daily News for full results, reaction and photos from both Thanksgiving games.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Why Derrick Rose is the NBA MVP
The Daily News sports department recently brought in an intern named Cheyenne Perry, and on his first day, he informed me he's a fan of the Dolphins, Lakers and Bulls, among other teams anti-Boston. I asked him to write a blog about anything he wanted, and this is what he came up with:
Derrick Rose, point guard for the Chicago Bulls, is the heart of his team. Unlike Miami Heat forward LeBron James, Rose is loyal to his city. D-Rose is the definition of the words like respect, determination, loyalty and hard work.
MVP stands for Most Valuable Player and that is exactly what D-Rose is to his team. He ranks third in the NBA in scoring (25.6 points per game), eighth in assists (8.4) and grabs 3.8 rebounds per game. Rose constantly is improving and just keeps getting better.
D-Rose is just nasty. His speed is ridiculous. There is no comparing him.Derrick Rose is raw talent, the pride of Chicago. He has ice water in his veins, nerves of steel. He breathes greatness. Derrick Rose may be the next Jordan. Derrick Rose means: Determination, Elusive, Ridiculous, Raw, Ill, Champion, King. Relentless, Outstanding, Speed and Extraordinary.
Derrick Rose, point guard for the Chicago Bulls, is the heart of his team. Unlike Miami Heat forward LeBron James, Rose is loyal to his city. D-Rose is the definition of the words like respect, determination, loyalty and hard work.
MVP stands for Most Valuable Player and that is exactly what D-Rose is to his team. He ranks third in the NBA in scoring (25.6 points per game), eighth in assists (8.4) and grabs 3.8 rebounds per game. Rose constantly is improving and just keeps getting better.
D-Rose is just nasty. His speed is ridiculous. There is no comparing him.Derrick Rose is raw talent, the pride of Chicago. He has ice water in his veins, nerves of steel. He breathes greatness. Derrick Rose may be the next Jordan. Derrick Rose means: Determination, Elusive, Ridiculous, Raw, Ill, Champion, King. Relentless, Outstanding, Speed and Extraordinary.
They kept going and going and going ....
When I attended Southern Vermont College from 1996-2000, I often went to the men’s basketball games in the field house. I had a number of friends on the team, and considering the campus was in the middle-of-nowhere Vermont, it was something to do.
The field house isn’t very big. The Ryan Center it is not. It holds maybe 300 fans. The team was fairly decent in my day, but never in my time there did I see anything like what happened on Tuesday night.
The Mountaineers and Skidmore College played seven overtimes before the visiting Thoroughbreds — what a perfect nickname for this game — prevailed 128-123 in seven overtimes. Yes. Seven. Overtimes.
Southern Vermont’s Lance Spratling, who I covered while he played at Taconic High School in Pittsfield, Mass. — played all 75 minutes and scored 31 points on 10-for-40 shooting, including 0-for-13 from behind the 3-point line.
According to the box score, 142 fans attended the early season game. The teams combined for 145 missed shots. They were tied at 59-59 at the end of regulation, and scored a combined 133 from that point forward.
Want some more numbers?
SVC won the rebounding battle 87-79, and outshot the Thoroughbreds 37.2 percent (42-for-113) to 36.8 percent (43-for-117). Of the Mountaineers’ 123 points, only 14 came from bench players. Taeshon Johnson of SVC led all scorers with 39 points.
Two other games in college basketball history went to seven overtime periods, but this is the first in Division III.
“I kept telling the guys as each overtime passed to really enjoy the moment,” Skidmore coach Joe Burke told reporters. “They will never be involved in anything like that in their lives again. I kept telling them, ‘This is fun isn’t it?’ But by the sixth overtime, I think that wore out.”
And how does it feel to lose a game like that?
“It’s difficult to reconcile your emotions when you have just participated in such an epic event and lost,” SVC coach Mike McDonough told reporters. “But to a man, both teams will take a way something from tonight that they will never forget.”
Both teams have a week before they get back on the court, and it looks like they’ll need it.
The field house isn’t very big. The Ryan Center it is not. It holds maybe 300 fans. The team was fairly decent in my day, but never in my time there did I see anything like what happened on Tuesday night.
The Mountaineers and Skidmore College played seven overtimes before the visiting Thoroughbreds — what a perfect nickname for this game — prevailed 128-123 in seven overtimes. Yes. Seven. Overtimes.
Southern Vermont’s Lance Spratling, who I covered while he played at Taconic High School in Pittsfield, Mass. — played all 75 minutes and scored 31 points on 10-for-40 shooting, including 0-for-13 from behind the 3-point line.
According to the box score, 142 fans attended the early season game. The teams combined for 145 missed shots. They were tied at 59-59 at the end of regulation, and scored a combined 133 from that point forward.
Want some more numbers?
SVC won the rebounding battle 87-79, and outshot the Thoroughbreds 37.2 percent (42-for-113) to 36.8 percent (43-for-117). Of the Mountaineers’ 123 points, only 14 came from bench players. Taeshon Johnson of SVC led all scorers with 39 points.
Two other games in college basketball history went to seven overtime periods, but this is the first in Division III.
“I kept telling the guys as each overtime passed to really enjoy the moment,” Skidmore coach Joe Burke told reporters. “They will never be involved in anything like that in their lives again. I kept telling them, ‘This is fun isn’t it?’ But by the sixth overtime, I think that wore out.”
And how does it feel to lose a game like that?
“It’s difficult to reconcile your emotions when you have just participated in such an epic event and lost,” SVC coach Mike McDonough told reporters. “But to a man, both teams will take a way something from tonight that they will never forget.”
Both teams have a week before they get back on the court, and it looks like they’ll need it.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Hitting to all fields
If you're fan of Newport County football, whether you like Rogers, Middletown, Tiverton or Rogers, Thursday is a day you have to be excited about. Now if only Rogers could play Portsmouth, and we'd know who the real county champion is.
- The Celtics certainly know how to end a losing skid. And speaking of the NBA, what's happening to the Miami Heat? If you listen close enough, you can actually hear people jumping off the bandwagon.
- I still firmly believe that boxing is dead until the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. But it's still better than MMA.
- Daily News sportswriter Rick McGowan gets a vote for the Heisman Trophy, and right now, is there a clear cut winner?
- Speaking of college football, good for the University of Rhode Island for moving to a new conference in 2013. Clearly, the Rams are headed in the right direction under second-year coach Joe Trainer, who recently was named Colonial Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, and now they want to be more competitive in a conference more suited for them.
- This New England Patriots offense reminds me of the one that won the Super Bowl in 2004. Playing the role of Troy Brown is Wes Welker. Playing the role of Kevin Faulk is Danny Woodhead, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is reminiscent of Antoine Smith. Playing the role of Deion Branch is ... well, Deion Branch.
- Can you imagine the numbers Josh Hamilton could have put up had he not missed the first half dozen seasons?
- I guess the Boston Red Sox didn't have Victor Martinez in their plans for 2011. I just hope they'll make a move to replace his bat in the lineup.
- It's safe to say football wasn't meant for Wrigley Field.
- The Celtics certainly know how to end a losing skid. And speaking of the NBA, what's happening to the Miami Heat? If you listen close enough, you can actually hear people jumping off the bandwagon.
- I still firmly believe that boxing is dead until the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. But it's still better than MMA.
- Daily News sportswriter Rick McGowan gets a vote for the Heisman Trophy, and right now, is there a clear cut winner?
- Speaking of college football, good for the University of Rhode Island for moving to a new conference in 2013. Clearly, the Rams are headed in the right direction under second-year coach Joe Trainer, who recently was named Colonial Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, and now they want to be more competitive in a conference more suited for them.
- This New England Patriots offense reminds me of the one that won the Super Bowl in 2004. Playing the role of Troy Brown is Wes Welker. Playing the role of Kevin Faulk is Danny Woodhead, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is reminiscent of Antoine Smith. Playing the role of Deion Branch is ... well, Deion Branch.
- Can you imagine the numbers Josh Hamilton could have put up had he not missed the first half dozen seasons?
- I guess the Boston Red Sox didn't have Victor Martinez in their plans for 2011. I just hope they'll make a move to replace his bat in the lineup.
- It's safe to say football wasn't meant for Wrigley Field.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Pats hold on for 31-28 win
On man, Indy's got the ball again with more than two minutes remaining and just 74 yards to go for a go-ahead touchdown.
Just 24 yards since this is Manning.
Haven't we seen this before?
But Pats win as defensive back James Sanders makes a leaping outfield interception catch a la McCourty as Manning can't get all his body into a throw because linebacker Jermaine Cunningham got a hand in on an outside rush.
A 31-28 win in a game where two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time lived up to their billing.
Just 24 yards since this is Manning.
Haven't we seen this before?
But Pats win as defensive back James Sanders makes a leaping outfield interception catch a la McCourty as Manning can't get all his body into a throw because linebacker Jermaine Cunningham got a hand in on an outside rush.
A 31-28 win in a game where two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time lived up to their billing.
Colts keep kicking, get within 31-28
Manning's not finished. He completes five passes on a 7-play, 73-yard march that ends with an 18-yard diving catch by White for a touchdown with 4:48 remaining.
Colts respond with Manning TD pass
So much for 31-20. Manning and Brown move Indianapolis quickly down the field, with Blair White taking in a 5-yard touchdown pass as Indy cuts the Patriots' lead to 31-21.
Pats up 31-14
Another sustained New England drive, this of 10 plays, 54 yards, results in a 31-14 Patriots lead with 10:23 remaining.
That's enough scoring, New England. Let Indy kick two field goals and get out of Gillette with a 31-20 loss so I can finally get one pick in this paper right on the numbers this season.
That's enough scoring, New England. Let Indy kick two field goals and get out of Gillette with a 31-20 loss so I can finally get one pick in this paper right on the numbers this season.
Pats in control after three quarters
The third quarter ends on a high note for New England. When Colts receivers Pierre Garcon and Jacob Tamme don't hone in on a long Manning pass down the right sideline, Pats defensive back Devin McCourty makes a leaping outfield catch for an interception.
Green-Ellis runs for five yards on the final play of the quarter, then powers 16 yards to the outside to the Colts' 40.
Green-Ellis runs for five yards on the final play of the quarter, then powers 16 yards to the outside to the Colts' 40.
Woodhead runs and runs it in
Danny Woodhead goes 36 yards for a touchdown to cap New England's second series in the third quarter to give Patriots a 28-14 lead.
Woodhead took a hand off and cut to his right to find daylight outside, made a defender miss, kept his balance at the Indy 23 and went the rest of the way.
What a pickup. Woodhead that is. And then he makes the tackle on special teams on the ensuing kickoff.
Woodhead took a hand off and cut to his right to find daylight outside, made a defender miss, kept his balance at the Indy 23 and went the rest of the way.
What a pickup. Woodhead that is. And then he makes the tackle on special teams on the ensuing kickoff.
NE 21, Indy 14 at the half
Colts are keeping pace. Manning and Wayne are on the same page as Indy goes 85 yards on 12 plays, with Wayne taking in a perfect touch pass into the left corner of the end zone for an 11-yard score with four seconds remaining in the half as Colts get within 21-14.
The first two quarters have set this one up for a very interesting second half.
The first two quarters have set this one up for a very interesting second half.
Patriots a scoring machine
New England goes up 21-7 on another long drive, this one ending on a BenJarvus Green-Ellis run up the middle from five yards out.
Pass completions of 25, 16 and 3 yards for first downs helped set up the score.
Can Manning's undermanned Colts keep pace?
Pass completions of 25, 16 and 3 yards for first downs helped set up the score.
Can Manning's undermanned Colts keep pace?
Patriots keep rolling, go up 14-0
The Patriots are getting their hands on a few of Brady's throws, and even Colts old reliable Reggie Wayne ran a route on a pass nowhere near him.
Colts are also piling up penalties.
Now Pats are piling up yardage with Brady connecting with Deion Branch on both sides of the field and with Welker on a diving grab by the latter for a first down ainn the red zone late in the opening quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Welker makes a catch for a first down and not too long after that on third-and-goal from the 8, Brady connects with Aaron Hernandez for a touchdown and a 14-0 New England lead.
Question for Hernandez since he's from Bristol, Conn. Why not do an end zone celebration and call it the Bristol Stomp?
Sure, the song from the early '60s is from Bristol, Pa., but the boys in Bristol, sharp as a pistol - the ones at ESPN, too - would love it and give it play.
Colts are also piling up penalties.
Now Pats are piling up yardage with Brady connecting with Deion Branch on both sides of the field and with Welker on a diving grab by the latter for a first down ainn the red zone late in the opening quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Welker makes a catch for a first down and not too long after that on third-and-goal from the 8, Brady connects with Aaron Hernandez for a touchdown and a 14-0 New England lead.
Question for Hernandez since he's from Bristol, Conn. Why not do an end zone celebration and call it the Bristol Stomp?
Sure, the song from the early '60s is from Bristol, Pa., but the boys in Bristol, sharp as a pistol - the ones at ESPN, too - would love it and give it play.
First round to Patriots and Brady
New England safety Brandon Meriweather picks off an overthrown Peyton Manning pass and returns it 39 yards to the Indianapolis 32 to end Colts' first series.
Tom Brady soon finds old friend Wes Welker, who has a step on linebacker Pat Angerer, for a 22-yard touchdown over the middle four minutes into this anticipated showdown.
Nice to see Welker burrow-muscle in for the score.
Tom Brady soon finds old friend Wes Welker, who has a step on linebacker Pat Angerer, for a 22-yard touchdown over the middle four minutes into this anticipated showdown.
Nice to see Welker burrow-muscle in for the score.
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