Join Facebook Group Denouncing 96-Team NCAA Tournament Field

Earlier today, NCAA Senior VP Greg Shaheen stated that the prospect of a 96-team tournament format had been discussed and favored over the current 65-team format, and proposed 68- and 80-team formats.

See the video here.

Join the Facebook group here.

Christmas comes LATE…for the BCS

So you’ve spent up every last penny of your gift cards, gas cards, and Christmas cash, and the entire holiday season seems like a distant memory.

Not so fast.

Despite the NFL Playoffs being a crapshoot, there’s still one vice left…the Bowl Championship Series.

Five games with plenty to offer - even if it is not in the form of a playoff system.

So without any playoff scenarios or any continued whining about who is playing where (I wanted WVU vs. Va Tech!), let’s take a look at what’s left on our college football plates.

Why not trust a guy whose regular season finished something like…
NFL Picks: 32-15-2
NCAA Picks: 18-6

Tuesday, January 1^st:
The Rose Bowl
#13. Illinois vs. #6. USC [-14.5]


















Here's your sleeper 1st Round RB for the '08 Draft.
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

As disrespected as any team, Illinois finished the season strongly (including the noteworthy win in Columbus against a then-unbeaten Buckeyes team) and allowed the Rose Bowl to have its annual Big Ten/Pac-10 showdown. While last year’s USC/Michigan affair was a flop, don’t count out the talent of Juice Williams and company, especially RB Rashad Mendenhall, who is expected to be selected early on Day 1 of the NFL Draft if he decides to leave early. It’s also only fair to commend National Coach of the Year Ron Zook on rebuilding Illinois into a legit Big Ten contender again. Ditto can be said for Pete Carroll never losing his team despite being served a few more losses (okay, it was only 2) than they expected. While I like USC to win, the team lacks the true playmakers it had in years past. That’s why Illinois keeps it close enough to bust this pesky spread.

Should’ve Been: Illinois vs. USC. [Call me crazy, but I like this matchup.]

Tuesday, January 1^st:
The Sugar Bowl
#10. Hawaii vs. #4. Georgia [-7.5]

















A UGA win may lead to a pre-season #1 ranking next year.
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Much like last year’s Boise State team, Hawaii has a ton to prove with its BCS selection. While most of the nation knows of June Jones and is fascinated over the draft stock and prospects of Heisman-contender Colt Brennan, there is still a ton of talent on this Rainbow Warrior squad. The same has to be said for the red-hot Bulldogs, who were a Tennessee loss away from potentially playing LSU for a spot in the BCS Title game. Alas, freshman phenom RB Knowshown Mereno will try his best to dictate a power running game, thus keeping the ball out of the hands of Brennan for a Bulldog victory. However, I love rooting for the little guy. So while UGA will enjoy the win, Brennan will be the real star as he keeps it under one possession as the clock ticks to zero.

Should’ve Been: LSU vs. Missouri [The battle of the ‘almost’ teams.]

Wednesday, January 2nd:
The Fiesta Bowl
#11. West Virginia vs. #3. Oklahoma [-7.5]














Can QB Pat White stay healthy the entire game?
Credit: Yahoo Sports!

Still reeling from the loss at home during the Backyard Brawl and the loss of their head coach, what is most important for WVU’s chances are the health of junior QB Pat White and the number of carries they can give to forgotten stud RB Steve Slaton. Since neither seems likely to completely rebound against such a suffocating Sooners D, this game may turn ugly late thanks to precocious freshman QB Sam Bradford, a ferocious group of running backs and electric wide receiver Malcolm Kelly. Sorry Mountaineer fans, the off-season will only get tougher after this double-digit thumping.

Should’ve Been: Oklahoma vs. Georgia [Perhaps the nation’s two youngest elite teams.]

Thursday, January 3rd:
The Orange Bowl
#8. Kansas vs. #5. Virginia Tech [-3.5]

Which Va. Tech QB will see the majority of the snaps?
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

It’s time to stop pining for the Missouri Tigers and acknowledge an amazing season for the Jayhawks. Or is it? Tech is returning the majority of their talent, outside of key defensive playmakers (Brandon Flowers, Victor “Macho” Harris, etc.) and could use an Orange Bowl victory to propel them to a potential pre-season top-5 ranking next fall. What remains most interesting isn’t how the Hokies D mastermind Bud Foster handles the spread offense. Instead, it’s how the Hokies balance QBs Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. I’ll take Beamerball’s experience in this game, which will be far more entertaining than many outside of Lawrence expect it to be.

Should’ve Been: West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech [Rekindling a lost rivalry.]

Monday, January 7th:
The BCS Championship Game













At least someone is waiting until Monday morning to make my prediction...
Credit: Yahoo! Sprots

Should’ve Been: [Wait and see…]

Wait, what this? No score? No teams? No analysis? No picks!?!?

While we all know it’ll be the Bayou Bengals (aka Tigers of LSU) and the Buckeyes (of “The Ohio State”), we won’t pick a winner until game day.

Check back on Monday, January 7^th for that goodie.

Until next time…

---

PHSports BCS Rankings & Bowl Projection

…Clement filling in for the remainder of the season…

Another weekend, another unranked opponent defeats another Top 5 team. In fact, another #1 lost at home this year. Frankly, it wasn’t that surprising to see Arkansas, led by Heisman hopeful RB Darren McFadden (aka Run DMc), pull the triple OT upset. LSU had been living a charmed life in the closing minutes of too many games. Not to mention, their redzone defense – healthy Glenn Dorsey or not – has been anything short of impressive.

With one more weekend to go, we now embark upon the second-to-last set of BCS ratings.

The saga continues…

Our view on pre-season rankings
Everything you saw back in August and September were simply suggestions by individuals who are supposed to be more knowledgeable than you or me. These “suggestions” serve as a reference point that allow for pundits without this season’s game tape to go off of.

How this ranking works?
This ranking will not be like a poll, which often drops a school’s ranking by a minimum of four spots for any loss regardless of circumstance. We will do our best to look at the full body of work. If you consistently win in unimpressive fashion, then I’ll note it. If you demolish teams and then produce a 60-minute brain fart on the gridiron, then I might forgive it to a degree.

Why only rank the top eight teams?
In a fantasy world, these top eight teams would participate in a playoff system, which would be played at seven current Bowl sites. If only the university presidents bought into this just and highly lucrative manner in which to crown a national champion.

RANKING FOR NOVEMBER 26th, 2007
1) Missouri: It seems as of late that being #1 in any poll, even this one, is a death wish. This may be more true than ever this week as Missouri tries its best to avenge its sole loss of the season (@ Oklahoma). Chase Daniel is the real deal but Oklahoma freshman QB Sam Bradford is more than legit. While seeing the Tigers in the BCS Title game would be a treat, I wonder if they can hold onto this slot longer than a week.

2) West Virginia: The Mountaineers started this season with high expectations, only to suffer a demoralizing loss early in the year in Tampa against South Florida. Fast forward a few months, and suddenly, they are the latest media darlings. Junior Pat White can do it all and has played in plenty of big-time games (including a magnificent Sugar Bowl as a freshman against senior David Greene and Georgia). While the “Backyard Brawl” against Pitt hardly seems taxing, Rich Rodriguez better convey to his team just how much a win would mean to a fading Pitt program.

3) Ohio State: Sitting pretty…or are they? Seemingly only 1 loss away from the BCS Title game, don’t make the mistake of thinking they are a lock to make the game in New Orleans. In fact, Missouri and WVU should enter as favorites (the Mountaineers much heavier ones). It could turn out that a guy named Juice may cost the Buckeyes repeat admittance into the season’s biggest game.

4) Georgia: Sit out the SEC Title game…enter the BCS Title game? It could happen, thanks in large part to a tremendous second-half surge led by a stud freshman running back. While they need far more help than the Buckeyes, Georgia isn’t as hard a sell as some may think. Honestly, I can’t find a sell for any team below them (assuming losses from Mizzou and WVU, of course).

5) Kansas: An ugly three quarters doesn’t mean this team deserves to take a freefall in the polls. Despite losing to who was clearly their best opponent, the Jayhawks should be BCS-bound, except for the fact that an Oklahoma win might make them the third choice from the Big XII. Hello, Cotton Bowl! Then again, that’s quite the achievement for the Jayhawks.

6) Hawaii: What’s this? While it’s not a crying shame that the Rainbow Warriors, the last undefeated team in the “Bowl Subdivision” deserves more than a BCS Bowl game. They beat every team in front of them. Now whether it’s the same in the WAC as that feat would be in the Big XII, SEC, or wherever is irrelevant. Enough said.

7) LSU: While they’ve been completely exposed, I won’t allow Va. Tech to overtake them in the rankings. Why? Even though the blowout victory seems seasons ago, it happened. It happened.

8) Virginia Tech: Maybe I’m not respecting them enough but who knows? Nevertheless, they’re one more win away from the Orange Bowl. It would also be more than sweet to avenge that brutal Blacksburg collapse to BC. This Glennon/Taylor duo is working quite well. If only Ore would turn it up, the Hokies could be a preseason favorite next season.

BCS Bowl Game Projections
Remember, we don’t assume any further games with these weekly projections.

BCS National Championship Game
Missouri vs. West Virginia

Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Arizona State

Fiesta Bowl
Kansas vs. Georgia

Rose Bowl
Ohio State vs. USC

Sugar Bowl
LSU vs. Hawaii

Until next time...

The “Race” for the Heisman

To be honest, this year’s Heisman race has been close to non-existent. Nobody would throw too much of a fit if the award was given the year off for 2007.

In years past, we had drama. We had intrigue. We at least had a conversation or two about it.

Let’s take a quick glance into the past…

1997 – Charles Woodson, CB (Michigan)
In one of the more publicized races in recent years, Woodson overtook heavy preseason favorite Tennessee QB Peyton Manning down the stretch, due in large part thanks to a fantastic performance securing a Rose Bowl birth for the undefeated Wolverines against Ohio State. Woodson became the first primary cornerback to win the Heisman trophy.

1998 – Ricky Williams, RB (Texas)
Departing Texas the all-time leading rusher (at least for one season), Williams easily held off QBs Michael Bishop (Kansas State), Cade McNown (UCLA) and Tim Couch (Kentucky) en route to becoming the second Longhorn (Earl Campbell) to win the Heisman trophy.

1999 – Ron Dayne, RB (Wisconsin)
Leaving Camp Randall as the nation’s all-time leading rusher, Dayne trounced the competition (Georgia Tech QB Joe Hamilton was closest in voting with 94 to Dayne’s 2,042) as he became the 38th running back to secure the Heisman. Add on a Big Ten championship to his 2,000 yard season as well for the Great Dayne.

2000 – Chris Weinke, QB (Florida State)
Despite being bested by runner-up Josh Heupel’s Oklahoma Sooners for the BCS Title, Weinke led the nation in passing yards (over 350 a game) and followed up a national-title campaign with the nation’s top honor. Also receiving votes that season were names including LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Santana Moss, Rudi Johnson and Mike Vick.

2001 – Eric Crouch, QB (Nebraska)
Inching ahead of Florida QB Rex Grossman by only 62 votes in one of the tighter races in recent memory (Crouch was only separated by 600 votes from 8th-place Miami OL Bryant McKinnie), Crouch was only the 13th player in NCAA history to rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in one season.

2002 – Carson Palmer, QB (USC)
As polished a collegiate QB as the west coast had ever seen, Palmer maintained a comfortable voting edge over Orange Bowl nemesis Brad Banks (QB of Iowa). Palmer, owner of at least seven Pac-10 records, was able to overcome Larry Johnson’s 2,000 yard season at Penn State as well.

2003 – Jason White, QB (Oklahoma)
Struggling mightily down the stretch, White managed to hold off phenomenal wideout Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh) by a hair under 150 total votes. Tossing 40 TDs, 12 straight victories to open the season and securing a spot in the BCS Title game are nothing to push aside.

2004 – Matt Leinart, QB (USC)
After his Trojan predecessor, Carson Palmer, took home the award only two years earlier, Leinart took home the Heisman trophy (outlasting freshman RB Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma) after leading his Trojans to an undefeated season and a blowout victory in the BCS Title Game over Oklahoma.

2005 – Reggie Bush, RB (USC)
While QB Vince Young (Texas), second in voting, walked away a national champion, Reggie Bush dominated the first place voting throughout the country. Amassing over 1,500 yards rushing, 15 total touchdowns, and countless highlight reel worthy plays, Bush became the 7th Heisman trophy winner out of Southern Cal. Ironically, the sixth was his QB (Matt Leinart).

2006 – Troy Smith, QB (Ohio State)
Ohio State’s seventh Heisman trophy was easily tabbed thankfully before Smith's all too forgettable BCS Title Game performance, after collecting a slew of other awards en route to an 11-0 regular season and 30 touchdown tosses. Sophomore RB Darren McFadden (Arkansas) would finish second and instantly become a favorite for the award in 2007.

Interesting enough…
-Troy Smith may be the future QB of the Ravens or your insurance broker in 3 years.
-Reggie Bush appears to be the present and future of professional sports in New Orleans.
-Matt Leinart will continue to attempt to overcome being an Arizona Cardinal.
-Jason White is out of the NFL and has been for quite some time.
-Carson Palmer has overcome a devastating knee injury following his first playoff throw to become one of the league’s top-performing (and highest-paid) quarterbacks.
-Eric Crouch managed to finagle being drafted on Day One by St. Louis. He hasn’t played an NFL down of relevance.
-Chris Weinke maintained a backup job in Carolina for several years; however, he was drafted at age 29 and not 23.
-Ron Dayne has a little over 1/3 as many yards in the NFL as he did in Wisconsin. He is destined to be a platoon back (now in Houston) wherever he plays. He’s never rushed for 750 yards in a season, not even as the thunder in the Giants’ Thunder n' Lightning combination of the early millennium.
-Ricky Williams escaped New Orleans (thanks coach Ditka) to put together two fantastic seasons in Miami. However, his little buddy ‘marijuana’ got in the way just a little bit.
-Charles Woodson underachieved at times in Oakland and was plagued by a rather severe foot injury and the infamous ‘tuck-rule’ forced fumble from playoff history. He’s rebounded quite nicely in Green Bay and maintained his presence as a top-flight NFL cornerback and punt returner.

So whether your money is on one of the bigger names: Tim Tebow (Florida QB), Dennis Dixon (Oregon QB), Darren McFadden (Arkansas RB), Ray Rice (Rutgers RB), Andre’ Woodson (Kentucky QB), Pat White (West Virginia QB), or even Colt Brennan (Hawaii QB)
…or…
One of the up-and-comers: Chase Daniel (Missouri QB) and Todd Reesing (Kansas QB)

I’d like to see any one of these guys, or a combination, invited to New York:
Freshman WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech): 113 receptions, 1707 yards, and 20 TDs
Senior RB Matt Forte (Tulane): 297 carries, 1,813 yards, and 17 TDs
Junior RB Kevin Smith (UCF): 310 carries, 1,768 yards, and 23 total TDs (22 rushing)
Junior QB Graham Harrell (Texas Tech): 4,876 yards passing, 74% completion, 43 TDs, 12 INTs

As for the ultimate victor? Only the voters will tell. That is, if they care.

Until next time…

PHSports BCS Rankings & Bowl Projection

…Clement filling in for the remainder of the season…

Another week has come and gone and yet another Top 5 (two, in fact) team has lost to an unranked opponent.

Credit: Despite the torn ACL injury suffered by then-
Heisman frontrunner Dennis Dixon,
Oregon did not win a game which they had no business losing.
Source: Yahoo! Sports

So now, Kansas assumes the #2 BCS spot. It appears Hawaii is the only undefeated team who is not in line for a BCS title shot.

Of course, things are going to get a little tricky for Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk. In fact, it’s going to get downright brutal. Next weekend pits them against their toughest opponent of the season, #4 Missouri at a neutral site in Kansas City.

I still can’t help but think names like Kareem Rush and Jeff Boschee would be more likely to light it up during such a November affair.

As for the rest? WVU, the Buckeye, and a host of others are only a few twists and turns away from a BCS title shot.

By the way, here is the craziest scenario I can think up:
-LSU loses to Arkansas.
-Georgia loses to LSU in the SEC Title game.
-West Virginia loses to UCONN.
-Kansas loses to Missouri.
-Missouri loses to Oklahoma.
-Arizona State loses to USC.
-Virgina Tech loses either to UVA or Boston College.

That leaves Ohio State and countless two-loss teams in the mix. And one ticked off Hawaii-team potentially. Wow.

We wouldn’t have it any other way…

Our view on pre-season rankings
Everything you saw back in August and September were simply suggestions by individuals who are supposed to be more knowledgeable than you or me. These “suggestions” serve as a reference point that allow for pundits without this season’s game tape to go off of.

How this ranking works?
This ranking will not be like a poll, which often drops a school’s ranking by a minimum of four spots for any loss regardless of circumstance. We will do our best to look at the full body of work. If you consistently win in unimpressive fashion, then I’ll note it. If you demolish teams and then produce a 60-minute brain fart on the gridiron, then I might forgive it to a degree.

Why only rank the top eight teams?
In a fantasy world, these top eight teams would participate in a playoff system, which would be played at seven current Bowl sites. If only the university presidents bought into this just and highly lucrative manner in which to crown a national champion.

RANKING FOR NOVEMBER 19th, 2007
1) Kansas: Not that LSU did anything directly to lose the #1 spot, but Kansas is undefeated and in the Big XII. Sure they didn’t play Texas, Oklahoma or Missouri (yet). They’ll get their shot at two of those teams. After witnessing upset upon upset, any undefeated team at this point deserves the #1 spot.
2) Louisiana State: As talented as any team in the nation, they still have a dangerous duo of Run DMC and Arkansas, as well as the SEC East Champion. Fortunately, for the Tigers, that can’t be Florida. While Georgia is as hot as any team in the nation, a second look at Tim Tebow on a neutral field is not what the Tigers want en route to a potential BCS Title game return. The soon-to-be rumors of Les Miles to Michigan will be more than enough of a distraction.
3) Missouri: While I like to support the Mountaineers, I credit Missouri’s potential remaining schedule as more than enough reason to push them into the #3 spot. With dates against Kansas and possibly Oklahoma (both on neutral fields), the Tigers could be just as shocking a BCS Title game participant as the Jayhawks. Interestingly, they do trail WVU in the BCS, but one has to believe they’d pass Pat White and Co. with two wins over such steep opponents.
4) West Virginia: With Oklahoma playing the potential ultimate spoiler, the Mountaineers will have an anxious few weeks of viewing the Big XII Title Game assuming they defeat UCONN. In years past, that wouldn’t be an issue. However, with a loss, they’re not even going to a BCS Bowl game. Pressure, anyone?
5) Georgia: As impressive as Ohio State’s defense was last weekend, the Bulldogs are my highest riser this week, thanks in large part to a stud set of backs (spearheaded by a former track-star freshman named Knowshon) and an impressive SEC run. Waiting for the outcome of Tennessee/Kentucky, Georgia remains a tasty treat for any BCS Bowl looking for an at-large bid.
6) Ohio State: Locked into the Rose Bowl and perhaps more. Interestingly enough, the Buckeyes road to the BCS Title game doesn’t seem all that unrealistic. While several teams would have to lose, stranger things have happened this season. By the way, holding Michigan at home to less than 100 total yards was stifling.
7) Arizona State: Whispering quiet under the radar, the Sun Devils are one more win (against USC) from the Rose Bowl. Another one-loss team with dozens of scenarios for the BCS Title game, the Devils need to be focused and prepared for a spoiler-ready Trojans squad.
8) Oklahoma: As bad as their defense looked against the Red Raiders, Oklahoma can ruin not only seasons but also ascendant football programs. While their own dreams were dashed in primetime, the winner of KU and Mizzou may go in as a slight underdog to Bob Stoops’ squad. That’s assuming they beat Oklahoma State.

BCS Bowl Game Projections
Remember, we don’t assume any further games with these weekly projections.

BCS National Championship Game
Kansas vs. LSU

Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia

Fiesta Bowl
Missouri vs. Arizona State

Rose Bowl
Ohio State vs. Oregon

Sugar Bowl
Georgia vs. Hawaii

Until next time...

Clement’s Weekly Picks and Prognostications…Week 8

At this point last year, I was staring up from the basement in terms of predictions and fantasy. I surged late in fantasy football, but my predictions only got worse by the week.

Ironically, I own a more than solid fantasy squad and my predictions, for at least seven weeks, couldn’t be much better. Is there anywhere to go but down? Tell that to the Patriots. Please. As for the people crying for respect for the Colts, shut it. They finally got their rings and no longer need to play the “we don’t get respect” card. Do you seriously think Bob Sanders cares where the Colts situate in a .com Power Rankings poll? I highly doubt it. Then again, do you see the Colts marching into Foxboro in late January and stealing a victory?

Me neither.

As for the picks and the prognostication…

NFL Picks: [12-7-1]
Washington @ New England [-16.5]









Credit: Yahoo! Sports


There isn’t a double digit spread the Patriots can’t cover. Despite gaping holes on the offensive line, Washington boasts one of the league’s better defenses midway through the season. As long as Sean Taylor stays at home and the offense can avoid the pick-six, the Skins will lose yet cover this gigantic number.

Green Bay @ Denver [-3]











Credit: Yahoo! Sports


With the -3, you have to scream PUSH as Elam has connected on three late field goals to give Denver their only wins this season. Green Bay was off last week, yet Denver gets to host its second-straight primetime game. Fortunately, the Madden Cruiser doesn’t dock for this one. Fortunately for Rockies fans (Boston in 5 in the Series), Denver is back on track and should make enough plays to at least push this number with a cover.

Jacksonville @ Tampa Bay [-4]

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

It’s not often that David Garrard’s health impacts a spread, but this would be your case. The real keys will be Bucs running back Earnest Graham and Jags DE Paul Spicer. Both have been fantastic lately. Gray is the starter, so take the Bucs with the points.

NCAA Picks: [7-3]
Note: The only way to parlay picks is to take Pac-10 ridiculous-sized spreads. No other conference favors home favorites more. How else could Stanford be a legit 40-point dog to USC?

#9. USC vs. #5. Oregon [-2.5]

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

When was the last time USC was a dog, road or home? You might have to go back five or six years to find that out. While Oregon has one rock solid, dynamic QB in Dennis Dixon, USC is far from separated from the BCS Title Game picture. Oregon dropped a close one to Cal at home early in the season. They’ll drop this mid-season showdown in Eugene as well.

#18. California vs. #7. Arizona State [-3]











Credit: Yahoo! Sports


Arizona State finally got bit by the injury bug. Fortunately though, it wasn’t QB Rudy Carpenter. Completely forgetting his 2006 campaign, Carpenter has the Sun Devils as high as #4 in the latest BCS rankings. That’s as high as he gets. Nate Longshore and the Golden Bears will get just enough for their defense to pull of the weekend’s second road upset.

3 Must Starts and Must Sits
START
…Last Week…
Cedric Benson: Nothing spectacular. Nothing new for Cedric.
Tennessee Defense: Only a TD away from a spectacular effort, fantasy-wise. That 4^th quarter killed their total points though.
Marc Bulger: I seem to have one idiotic pick every week. Geez.

…This Week…
Lee Evans: He’s starting to rev it back up. Next up: Jets D. Or should I say, “D”.
Amani Toomer: The Fins “secondary” is going to be shredded more and more each week.
Reggie Brown: I just have a feeling this week. Not sure why, but I do.

SIT
…Last Week…
Lee Evans: Yep, he’s creeping back. But it wasn’t anything you’d cry over missing.
Fred Taylor: Nothing spectacular at all. Jones-Drew stole the cheap TD.
Brandon Jacobs: The injury didn’t affect this weekend’s impressive performance. As for next week…

…This Week…
Chris Chambers: I don’t expect a spectacular debut. Try and rely on a more solid #2 or #3 option, even with the byes.
Benjamin Watson: Something tells me Brady could steal 5 or 6 TDs at tight end this season.
Devin Hester: Don’t start him, even with his TD prowess. It’s too much of a shot in the dark.

Until next time…

Look-Ahead Saturday

Are you a fan of a nationally ranked top 25 collegiate football program?

You might wanna take a deep breath before peaking at today’s scoreboard. Or what I have detailed below for all of you to cringe at (a round-up of the top 25 and the freefall the rankings will see in the next 48 hours).

In essence, it was a bloody mess this weekend for the “perceived” top 10. The damage even spread to teams ranked 10-20 and 20-25.

Nobody was spared.
Not even the Irish.

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

The carnage was consistent and unexpected, at least to the so-called experts.

So who or what is to blame? Weak early scheduling? Underachieving Heisman-hopefuls? Global Warming?

Slow down Al Gore. I have the answer. It’s looking ahead. Yep, looking ahead on the schedule. You can’t put it past even the nation’s top players and coaches. Everyone does it. Sometimes, to a costly degree.

That was definitely the case, whether in victory or near-defeat, for the numerous teams in the top 25, on Demolition Saturday.

Let’s take a look at the bloodbath that was the USA Today Top 25…

#1. USC [Defeated unranked Washington 27-24 despite 3 turnovers and 16 penalties.]
Next Week – Stanford. Ever seen Jim Harbaugh’s menacing scowl? I’d be looking ahead too.

#2. LSU [Defeated Tulane 34-9 despite trailing 10-9 late in the second quarter,]
Next Week – Hosting #3 Florida. Well, they used to be #3.

#3. Florida [Lost at home to Auburn 20-17 after trailing 14-0 and giving up two game-winning field goals as time expired.]
Next Week – Traveling to #2 LSU in primetime. Auburn was the only team to defeat the National Champs last season too.

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

#4. Oklahoma [Lost at Colorado 24-27 despite holding a 24-7 second half lead.]
Next Week – Red River Shootout against the Longhorns. About them…

#5. West Virginia [Lost at South Florida 13-21 after QB Pat White went down with another injury against the Bulls.]
Next Week – Syracuse. So maybe that doesn’t matter. Then again, tell that to Louisville. What is important is that right now, Syracuse/UCONN/South Florida are tied for 1^st in the Big East. Wow.

#6. California [Won at Oregon 31-24 behind a comeback week from WR DeSean Jackson.]
Next Week – Oregon State. Traveling to #11 Oregon and walking out a victor, despite a rather poor first half, is a strong statement for the likely #3 team in all polls next week.

#7. Texas [Lost at home to Kansas State 21-41 in a game Colt McCoy personally took the Longhorns out of with 4 INTs.]
Next Week – Aforementioned Red River Shootout with OU. Neither team is likely to be a national title contender after this weekend or next.

#8. Ohio State [Won at Minnesota 30-7 and should return to the top 5 on Monday.]
Next Week – Purdue, who is also 5-0 and tied at the top of the Big Ten. Looks enticing.

#9. Wisconsin [Just got by another opponent, this time Michigan State, 37-34 at home this weekend.]
Next Week – Illinois. Traveling to Champaign will be as tough as ever with Ron Zook sparking the Illini to an upset victory over Penn State today.

#10. Rutgers [Lost at home to unranked Maryland 24-34, their first game ranked in any poll in the top 10 ever. So you go up and lose? Nice!]
Next Week – Nationally ranked Cincinnati hosts the pride of New Jersey, in a game oozing with early-season bowl implication.

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

#11. Boston College [Victorious 24-12 over Massachusetts in a highly unimpressive effort; nevertheless, they’re likely to enter the top 10.]
Next Week – Hosting Bowling Green. Antonio Daniels sightings maybe?

#12. See above for California vs. Oregon.

#13. Clemson [Lost 3-13 at the hands of struggling Georgia Tech on the road.]
Next Week – Hosting Va. Tech. This weekend’s loss may only heighten the importance of this mid-season showdown between the Tigers and Hokies.

#14. Virginia Tech [Victorious over North Carolina 17-10.]
Next Week – Traveling to Death Valley to take on ACC-rival Clemson Tigers. Hey, at least Brandon Ore, 93 yards, almost eclipsed the century mark.

#15. Kentucky [Defeated Florida Atlantic 45-17 behind 5 TDs from legit Heisman-candidate QB Andre' Woodson.]
Next Week – at South Carolina. Finally! Somebody didn’t wait one extra minute to pound an inferior opponent into submission.

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

#16. Georgia [Victory by means of a 45-17 victory over Mississippi.]
Next Week – at Tennessee. Like the Wildcats, UGA’s boys didn’t take very long to decide the victory of this game.

#17. Hawaii [Overcame 5 INTs from Colt Brennan to overtake Idaho 48-20.]
Next Week – Plaguing Brennan’s Heisman chances, Hawaii continues against winless Utah State to try and become this season’s Boise State.

#18. See above for West Virginia vs. South Florida.

#19. Penn State [Lost at Illinois 20-27 behind borderline putrid play by QB Anthony Morelli.]
Next Week – Iowa. The point is: Illinois is no longer a freebee on the Big Ten schedule, especially when playing in Champaign.

#20. Missouri [Defeated Illinois State 38-17.]
Next Week – Nebraska. Suddenly, this team is now among the favorites in the weakened Big Twelve.

#21. South Carolina [Defeated Miss. St. 38-21 to move to 4-1.]
Next Week – Hosting Kentucky. Talk about another statement game for the Ole’ Ball Coach. Think he wishes he’d had the chance to recruit Andre Woodson?

#22. Nebraska [Blew past Iowa State 35-17 at home.
Next Week – Traveling to Nebraska. With losses for OU and UT, NU suddenly controls its own Big XII destiny technically.

#23. See above for Wisconsin vs. Michigan State.

#24. Alabama [Lost at Florida State 14-21, perhaps ending Nick Saban’s early-season honeymoon in Tuscaloosa.]
Next Week – Houston. They weren’t looking ahead; but did they take the Noles seriously enough? Then again, who would’ve?

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

#25. Purdue [Victorious over 0-5 Notre Dame 33-19.]
Next Week – Ohio State. One of the biggest trap games of the weekend was avoided quite nicely. Haha to Irish fans. Haha.

And that’s a wrap!

Next week has plenty of drama, but the rankings sure will be different.

Fortunately for the fans, the week is still more than fine:

LSU vs. Florida, Texas vs. Oklahoma, Rutgers vs. Cincinnati, Kentucky vs. South Carolina, Georgia vs. Tennessee, Virginia Tech vs. Clemson, Ohio State vs. Purdue, and Nebraska vs. Missouri.

Until then…

Under the Radar: USA Pan American Men's Basketball

Seemingly under the radar of the sporting world, the USA Pan American men’s basketball squad will compete July 25-29 in the 2007 Pan American Games men's basketball competition.

Time now for a brief history lesson…

The Pan American Games are a continental version of the Olympic Games, which includes both Olympic sports and other disciplines suggested by the competition organization and approved by PASO. Held every four years, always one year before the Summer Olympic Games, the first Pan American Games were held in 1951 in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. There are no Pan American Winter games yet.

It’s also widely known, at least within the sporting realms, that most American representatives are considered second-class athletes. You aren’t very likely to see Michael Phelps in the pool, Maurice Green on the track, or the top gymnasts competing. However, it is an important threshold for young talent to breakthrough and often boasts plenty of Olympic-quality competition.

As for the men’s basketball tournament specifics, for these games, the highlight of this article: the United States has been placed in preliminary round Group A along with Argentina, Panama and Uruguay, and Group B consists of Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. opens preliminary play July 25 facing Uruguay (10 p.m. Rio de Janeiro local time), then meets Panama on July 26 (7:45 p.m. Rio de Janeiro local time) and the U.S. closes out preliminary round action against Argentina on July 27 (7:45 p.m. Rio de Janeiro local time). Semifinals will be held on July 28 and the finals will be played July 29.

Coaching the team will be Villanova head coach Jay Wright. His assistants include Alabama’s Mark Gottfried and Yale’s James Jones. The player selections were made after USA Basketball conducted five trials sessions between July 12-14 and four practices between July 15-17 at Haverford College (Pa.).

So what does this year’s team look like???

Before we dive head-first into the 12 selected, who might have the most beef with Wright and committee head (and assistant to the national team) Jim Boeheim, include:
Jon Brockman (Washington), Brian Butch (Wisconsin), Josh Carter (Texas A&M), Mario Chalmers (Kansas), Sherron Collins (Kansas), Brandon Costner (NC State), Eric Devendorf (Syracuse), Joey Dorsey (Memphis), Wayne Ellington (North Carolina), Randal Falker (Southern Illinois), Shan Foster (Vanderbilt), Alonzo Gee (Alabama), James Gist (Maryland),
Richard Hendrix (Alabama), Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), Maarty Leunen (Oregon), Chris Lofton (Tennessee), Derrick Low (Washington State), Wesley Matthews (Marquette), Eric Maynor (Virginia Commonwealth), Jerel McNeal (Marquette), Tasmin Mitchell (LSU)
Drew Neitzel (Michigan State), DeMarcus Nelson (Duke), Ahman Nivins (St. Joseph’s)
Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), Jon Scheyer (Duke), Bryce Taylor (Oregon), Kyle Weaver (Washington State), and DJ White (Indiana).

A selection of 32 collegiate talents, there were more than a few snubs before the final 12 was selected. Now while everyone has complaints (some more legit than others), you have to consider that the best 12 as a team were supposed to be selected. Just looking at the list their appears to be a few hometown choices, a few ball hogs, and a few guys who might have potential ego problems.

Here’s the twelve, for better or worse, who were selected (with, of course, some minor comments from myself included):

Joey Dorsey [Power Forward/Center] 6’9, 260 LBS. (Memphis)
Props: His physical appearance alone, check the tale of the tape above, makes him bound for an Under Armor commercial once he turns pro. Despite being complete abused by Ohio State’s Greg Oden in the Elite Eight (after calling Oden out as a “little man”), Dorsey still locked up 1^st-team honors for Conference USA.
Flops: Dorsey’s mouth got him into big trouble against Oden; however, he lacks a solid offensive game that doesn’t involve alley-oops and anything not within 5 feet of the hoop. He may be prone to foul trouble against some of the continent’s other bigs, as well.
Yes/No: Yes. His size and athleticism make him a genetic freak. Fortunately, he runs the court extremely well and will be a perfect defensive 5 for Team USA.

Wayne Ellington [Shooting Guard] 6’4, 196 LBS. {North Carolina)
Props: Ellington played on the 2006 Nike Hoops Summit team and then went on to play in all 38 games for the ACC Champion Tar Heels this season. He was on the 2007 All ACC Tournament teams and averaged a strong 11.7 points per game. A deadly shooter off of a screen or from all around the perimeter, Ellington was one of the nation’s highest touted guards one season ago.
Flops: Ellington faded in and out at times on a talented UNC roster. Despite dominating in college, he took a bit of a secondary role for UNC at times. His youth may be all that held him back this season, as NC still provided him with plenty of minutes and opportunities.
Yes/No: Yes. Ellington is a dynamic shooter and can take over games with his play away from the ball. He should’ve been one of the easier selections for Boeheim, Wright, and company.

Shan Foster [Small Forward] 6’6, 200 LBS. (Vanderbilt)
Props: In case you missed a good chunk of March Madness, Shan Foster was a vital asset to Vanderbilt’s near Elite Eight run (remember, the Jeff Green faux-travel?). While Derrick Byars was the name-brand guy, Foster played brilliantly against both Washington State (a double OT game) and the aforementioned showdown with the Hoyas.
Flops: His athleticism may cost him with difficult matchups. He’s also one of the least touted guys on this roster.
Yes/No: Yes. He’s a terrific team player and can take and make key shots. He provides a tough matchup for a lot of players and should be one of the glue-guys off the bench for this team.

James Gist [Power Forward] 6’8, 228 LBS. (Maryland)
Props: He’s young, raw, and determined. He plays with a lot of intensity and is still growing at 20 years old. He is solid in the post, with even a hook shot coming along, and can help protect smaller perimeter players inside. His mid-range shooting is streaky, but he just might be able to get a couple easy buckets and change the pace of a game mid-way through it.
Flops: He’s never gotten serious minutes and may be a little undersized for the position and type of play he’ll be needed for. He may never actually shoot the ball either on this team.
Yes/No: Yes. Every team needs a garbage man. Here is that guy.

Roy Hibbert [Center] 7-2, 278 LBS. (Georgetown)
Props: An all 1^st-team Big East performer, Hibbert was one of the major reasons why the Hoyas made a run into the Final Four this past season. Forgoing a likely lottery selection, Hibbert is extremely talented, coachable, and provides havoc via mismatches with other big men. His foot speed is underrated in the paint and he can play defensively minded whenever asked to.
Flops: He is prone to foul trouble, lacks great court speed, and isn’t as vocal a leader as some coaches want in their big man.
Yes/No: Yes. Most likely one of the first selections made by the coaching staff, Hibbert is a perfect 5 for the American style of play. As long as he can limit his foul trouble, he will reign over similar structured, yet skillfully flawed, international big-men.

Marty Leunen [Power Forward/Center] 6-9, 215 LBS. (Oregon)
Props: His size allowed him to surprise a lot of opponents; especially since the majority of attention has never been directly given to him. While it’s unclear if he’ll play as an oversized 4 or potentially undersized 5, Leunen was an honorable mention All-Pac 10 performer this past season. Averaging 10 and 8, and logging good minutes, for Ernie Kent’s Ducks were plenty to earn him a tryout.
Flops: With guys like Gist and Dorsey already liabilities as shooters, Leunen may like the outside shot a big too much. His size isn’t daunting and his ability to finish may be lesser than some of the other invitees.
Yes/No: Yes. Sorry, but size matters. While I’m not in love with him shooting it from the outside (especially when a guy like Lofton gets cuts), I also appreciate the mismatches he might cause. He can also guard bigs around the perimeter. Something Gist & Dorsey don’t do particular well at all.

Derrick Low [Point Guard] 6-1, 186 LBS. (Washington State)
Props: Don’t let the hair fool you, Low had a ton to do with Washington State’s reclamation season in 2006/2007. A former Mr. Basketball in Hawaii, Low has an incredible positive attitude and is an accomplished floor leader who adjusts well on the fly.
Flops: He’s a bit undersized and isn’t nearly as competent from behind the 3-point line as some people give him credit for. Some doubt his style of play translates well in this setting.
Yes/No: Yes. He joins fellow Cougar Kyle Weaver as the first Washington State representatives on a Pan-Am team. A stand-out at the tryouts, the upcoming senior earned All-Pac Ten 1^st team honors his junior season. While I was a little skeptical at first, his tryout reviews and reports seem too good to even consider passing on him.

Eric Maynor [Point Guard] 6-2, 165 LBS. (Virginia Commonwealth)
Props: Much like Carlos Boozer on the 2004 Olympic team, Maynor may not have as big of a name, ego, or reputation as some of the players he passed up. However, he has a flare for the dramatics (just ask George Mason and Duke fans) and, most importantly, is a pass-first point guard. With plenty of shot-happy guards already on the roster, Maynor, who needs work on his defense (although he has come up with key steals late in games), is a strong candidate to get serious minutes at the 1-spot.
Flops: Despite the win over Duke and the game against Pitt, VCU is still a mid-major school and Maynor’s jump shot clearly won’t scare anyone.
Yes/No: Yes. Pass first, pass second, drive third, and shoot maybe fourth. As a 1^st-team CAA performer and conference tournament MVP, I don’t need to go hometown on this heady selection.

Drew Neitzel [Point Guard] 6-0, 180 LBS. (Michigan State)
Props: It’s hard to deny anyone who can make the All-1^st team in the Big Ten. Adding to that, Neitzel is a savvy senior. He can drain a three-ball from as far as five feet behind the three-point arc and is fearless at taking over late in games. His clutch play alone, alongside his great court speed, is enough to make coaches salivate,
Flops: Despite his desire and drive, there are more skillful and talented players available many would argue. He also might fall in love with the deep ball, whether it goes in or not. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue, though.
Yes/No: Yes. You need emotion, hustle, and a guy who’s willing to shoot from any spot in the gym. If he gets hot, he can match the young kids from around the continent who do nothing else than lob up a dozen threes every game.

Scottie Reynolds [Combo Guard] 6-2, 195 LBS. (Villanova)
Props: He has past international experience from his days with the 2005 Youth Development Festival White Team. Reynolds was also the Big East freshman of the year and an All-American freshman selection. He has incredible talent and plays much bigger than he’s listed as. He’s downright dynamic from start to finish on the court.
Flops: Sometimes he tries to do too much at one time. He might pass up a simpler route for a more spectacular play. There is also a lot of pressure on him since Jay Wright is his head coach at Villanova.
Yes/No: Yes. He’s a playmaker, plain and simple. Plus, if you were Jay Wright, could you honestly not let this guy on your team?

Kyle Weaver [Small Forward] 6-5, 185 LBS. (Washington State)
Props: Much like his teammate Low, Weaver was an All-Pac Ten first-team performer. He was a solid backcourt mate and never minded hitting clutch shots when it mattered the most. The Wisconsin-native seemed shocked by his invitation to the trials; yet, clearly took advantage of the opportunity well.
Flops: His name isn’t a big as others and perhaps he isn’t as assertive as they are either.
Yes/No: No. The only disagreement I could honestly make. While plenty of the guys invited shouldn’t have even been considered for the team, I find it hard to believe there wasn’t a spot for Chris Lofton. While Weaver has more size and strength, he also lacks the playmaking ability and numerous late-game experiences that Lofton does. However, I wasn’t there at the tryouts, so I can’t say much more.

D.J. White [Power Forward] 6-9, 251 LBS. (Indiana)
Props: Perhaps breaking out of the underachieving status-bug, White, who has previous Team USA Basketball experience from the 2004 Nike Hoop Summit and 2003 Youth Development Festival South Team, earned 2^nd-team Big Ten honors this past season. He will be valuable against international teams who stack lineups of perimeter players (often without a true 5 on the court). He’s a veteran collegiate performer and easily coachable.
Flops: He’s definitely had a few consistency issues. He also might not be able to provide depth as the team’s third true big-man.
Yes/No: Yes. It isn’t a slam dunk, but it’s the right position. Despite the international game perhaps going away from his forte, he provides physical play and a nice touch away from the basket. Two things that are definitely needed to win games.

Most Notable Snubs:
Chris Lofton [SG, Tennessee]
-Perhaps the best pure shooter invited, Lofton apparently didn’t impress many of the coaches with his size issues (especially at the 2) and his inability to consistently knock down open perimeter looks. He seemed to show no hard feelings though, solidifying his reputation as a class act. Reynolds shouldn’t be the only true playmaker on this team.

Mario Chalmers [SG, Kansas]
-Whether most, like myself, considered the Kansas guards (Chalmers and PG Sherron Collins) as potential selections or not, neither Jayhawk played up to snuff to make the team. A few eyes may glance a little harder at VCU’s Eric Maynor. Assuredly though, one of them isn’t USA Head Basketball coach Mike Kryzyweski.

Overall Thoughts
While I really enjoy some of the selections on this team, you'd be hard pressed in defending these players as the 12 best we could've sent. With names like Collison, Lawson, Hansbrough, James, Rush, and countless others not even invited to tryouts...this team is missing a ton of potential talent. It's bigs are a little shaky, it lacks true playmaking ability from a senior standout, and also doesn't have the dynamic scorer some of the international teams may supply. These are also players, with the exception of a noted few, who have almost no experience playing with each other. However, it should be a growing experience and fun to watch. Just don't expect automatic gold, or even a medal, just yet.

So there you have it. I’ll be posting, mainly through the comments section on this article, the progress, whether positive/negative/neutral, of this team.

Until next time…