Crazy Days Are Here To Stay

Per my agreement with blogspot.com, I, Twig (who else would it be though, really?) am contractually obliged to write my thoughts on college football any day that three top-10 teams lose, especially when the number one team in the nation lost only three days before. Here we go...

• I was as shocked as anyone with the outcome of Thursday's upset in Corvallis, Oregon. I thought that USC would walk through their conference schedule with little to no problem, and that Oregon State wouldn't have a shot in this one. Ooops. However, only three days after their loss, USC has to be pleased with the outcome of the Wisconsin, Florida, and Georgia games today. Even with one loss, the Trojans aren't out of the picture yet, because IF they run the rest of their schedule, they could very well find themselves in position to play for the BCS Championship.



• I guess Urban Meyer's "Best player of the era" quote can officially be put to rest. When was the last time the best college football player of any era lost to Ole Miss AT HOME? Speaking of the upset by Ole Miss, I'm glad to see Jevan Snead have success after getting beat out for the QB job at Texas two years ago. Seems like things are looking alright for both him and Colt at this point.



• Did it take me two and a half paragraphs to mention UT? Wow, I must be coming down with something, I'll have to get that checked out. Anyway, today's victory made me extremely happy, if for no other reason than I don't have to hear it all year from my Uncle Jim, a Jonesboro resident and fan of the Hogs/SEC in general. (Quick side note: two days ago, Jim emailed me predicting a 52-13 victory by the Horns today. I thought that was a bit steep, but it turns out he was pretty close, one more field goal by ArKansas, and he'd have been dead on. Stay tuned for more disturbingly accurate predictions from Jimbo.)

Back to UT: I'm obviously pleased with their overall performance, especially given the duds they dropped in last years non-conference schedule (Uninspired victories over Arkie Stat, TCU, and UCF). They have the same record at this time as they did last year, but there's definitely a better feel about the team, and while they have to go through an absolute gauntlet in Big XII play, I feel they're much better prepared going into conference now that 365 days ago. The one thing that worries me is that the Horns haven't established a consistent threat on the ground yet. Vondrell McGee looks decent, but he seems more like a third down runner than an every down back. Cody Johnson is a bruiser, and honestly, I'm thrilled with how he's playing so far, but again, he's a change of pace, not a 20+ carry back. Fozzy Whittaker looked fantastic in the UTEP game, but he's been injured and hasn't seen the field since then, so who knows about him for the long-term. As great as Colt has been-and he has been terrific-if no one emerges as a consistent rinning threat, UT could be in for some rough times, especially against, oh I don't know, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas Tech-among others-who's outstanding offenses will kill a team that can't control the clock. Also, get well soon Blaine Irby, a class act if there ever was one.

• As for Oklahoma-they look outstanding, they're gonna be number 1 in the next poll, yadda yadda yadda. That's enough about that, I don't want to think about them for as long as possible.


• Before the Alabama-UGA game this evening, the aforementioned Uncle Jimbo from Arkansas (seriously, I couldn't make that up) exchanged text messages about who we thought would win. I was picking the Bulldogs, and was honestly surprised when he texted me that he was picking Bama-by two touchdowns! I didn't think there was any chance of that happening, but low (lo, loe?) and behold, the Tide pulled it out by 11, in a game that wasn't nearly that close. As the final whistle was blowing, I received another text from Jim, who reminded me that 12 points is in fact two touchdowns, and so he was only one point from getting another pick exactly right. So for the record, that's two games that Uncle picked the exact score for, and was a TOTAL of four points off. While he isn't a prophet just yet, the line gets blurrier by the day. (If only I had the picture of you as an overgrown 18 year old wearing cutoff jean shorts and a Texas Longhorn T-shirt that bared your midriff while holding a line of catfish, I would show the world what a smart-looking man your are, Jimbo) Also, he did buy me this thing when I was like one, so he's known what he's doing for a while now:

• While West Virginia fans probably aren't ready to admit it, how much do they with RichRod was still coaching the Mountaineers? Granted, Michigan won't be real good for at least two seasons, but today's come-from-behind win against 'Sconsin showed that he's a legit coach and that he's going to do great things in Ann Arbor. I can't wait to see the Michigan/Ohio State games for the next three years, when T.Pryor comes into his own for OSU, and the Wolverines continue to adapt to the Rodriguez Way.

As far as I know, that's it for now, gotta go get my fantasy football lineup ready for my match up tomorrow with this guy.

Over and Out.

Here's Looking At You...

First of all, let me say a quick thank you to Justin Scott for calling me a 'quasi-journalist' in the comments section two days ago. I've never been a quasi-anything so thank you, kind sir for the respect I've worked oh so hard to achieve.

And now, for the point of this post. I've done my favorite and least favorite college football and basketball uniforms, but it dawned on me recently that we're coming up on four weeks into the NFL season, and I've yet to do a rundown of teams who's unis i love-and hate. I'll start with the five or so unis I can't stand and then do a rundown of my top ten favs (betcha can't guess who I think is number one!) As always, the more classic and unchanged, the better. W/O further ado, the Bottom Five Or So:

Washington Redskins: These unis are so ugly they're almost cool, but not really. Could be worse, however, if not for the ultra-cool helmet logo.

Philly Eagles: They had a waaay better look in the early-90's/Randall Cunningham era, but I can't get into the updated look at all. Is it green? Aqua? Metallic-something?

NE Patriots: Overall, not a horrible look, but the old-school blood red, Patriot Pat uniforms were possibly the coolest things ever, and they had to change it. Shame.

Seattle Seahawks: Another team that should have kept their old unis. I absolutely loved the silver/blue/green combo from the 90's, but these new things look very high school to me. When the helmet, jersey, and pants are the exact same color (if that color isn't white), it's time to reevaluate things.

Houston Texans: As a Cowboy fan, this isn't a shot at the Texans, believe me. It's just that they're the youngest team in the NFL, and they had a chance to come up with some cool, fresh, unique name and uniform combo, and the best they can come up with is 'Texans' with red, white and blue unis. Very very very generic look (See also: Patriots, Bills, Giants, Titans)

Speaking of...The Buffalo Bills: In my opinion, easily the worst look in the league, and the shame of it is, like previously mentioned teams, the throwback look is by far better than their regular unis. If they switched to this look permanently, they'd find themselves on the Best-Dressed list.

Also Receiving Votes: Detroit Lions, Cincy Bengals, Arizona Cards, Minnesota Vikings

And Now...the Top Ten:

Honorable Mention: Indy Colts: I used to hate them, but they're growing on me, so I had to throw it in there.

10) Miami Dolphins: Probably an unpopular pick, as the color scheme is a little weird, what with all the pastel-looking green, but I love that they haven't changed, and can't imagine the hate they must have inspired when they were revealed in the 1960's.

9) Pittsburgh Steelers: From pretty much here on in, just know that I think the rest of the teams are 'extremely classic, greatly unchanged, and unique'




8) Cleveland Browns:

7) Nawlins Saints: Can't go wrong with the gold/black combo. Well done.

6) Kansas City Chiefs:

5) Chicago Bears:

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The only one on this list that isn't a classic, old-school pick, but a big step forward from the yellow-orange look they previously owned.

3) Green Bay Packers: Classic team, classic stadium, classic look.

2) Oakland Raiders: Say what you want about the team itself, but if I weren't such an unapologetic homer, they'd be number one, and it wouldn't be close. Oh well.

1) Dallas Cowboys: I'm sure you're shocked that I picked the 'Boys number one, but come on. Wearing white at home, the silver helmet with the star...Love, love, love it.

Shock Of The Century

I know this is a 'Sports Blog' and whatnot, but I couldn't resist:

From the 'Gee, Ya Think So, Doctor?' Department...


Clay's been Aiken to tell the truth for some time now

Go Play Intramurals, Brother!

I just wanted to take a second today and salute a person that all of us has seen at one point or another. At least those of us who have visited a local university's intramural field any time in the past 6 years.

The guy is someone I like to call the "I'm not as good as I dress" guy.

You know what I'm talking about-the dude who's playing intramural football in the middle of September, when it's 80+ degrees outside, yet he's dressed like he's about to lace 'em up for the Cowboys (or Packers, if that suites you better) in the 1967 Ice Bowl. This player can easily be spotted by his cutoff T-shirt being accented by a long-sleeved Under Armour skin-tight shirt with multiple sweatbands on each arm (usually one at the elbow, and one around mid-forearm or wrist). The player also finds it fitting to use the cut-off sleeves as a silly-looking headband as well. And of course, to top it all off-RECEIVER'S GLOVES. That's right, receiver's gloves for INTRAMURAL FOOTBALL!

I think those things are unnecessary in real football, much less intramural football. Few things in life cause me to spell in all-caps, and especially all-caps and italics, but this really gets me going for some reason.

In no universe should it be allowed for some average Joe, 5 foot 11 white dude (Or black dude, it doesn't matter. Bad taste on the intramural field knows no color) who runs a 5.4 40 be allowed to even pretend that he's D-1 material, even if he was the third-string tight end his senior year.

At first I thought this phenomenon was limited to Moonies and ACU freshmen who were still holding on to high school dreams, but as I walked back to my car after class yesterday (At Texas Tech University, for those who don't know. And yes, it shocks me still, too) I noticed that a fair number of Red Raiders think that this is an acceptable way to look in public.

It is a shame, and I'm not going to take it anymore. That's why I'm taking my feelings public, to a blog that five people read, but still. Pass the word, and be a good citizen because friends don't let friends dress like @$!*%#'s.

Odds are, more than one of them played real good in high school.

Better Late Than Never

I know it's already two weeks into the college football season, and I haven't made any comments, but trust me, I've been watching and I'm full of comments. Want proof? Read on...

1) I know FAU isn't exactly UofF, but I was thrilled with the outcome of the Horns first game last Saturday. After the lackluster performance at home in last year's opener (see point 2) it was encouraging to see Texas look sharp and dominate a lesser team and was impressive.

2) Speaking of 'lesser teams,' the newly minted Red-Wolves of Arkansas State must love playing teams from the state of Texas. After nearly upsetting UT in last years opener, they go to Kyle Field and beat the Aggs and then crushed Texas Southern, quarterbacked by Bobby Reid (the player who was the center of Mike Gundy's "I'm a man!" tirade last season) this weekend, 83-10. 83 points?!?! A lot of basketball teams don't score that much!

3) The Colorado/Colorado State game may be one of the most underrated rivalries in college football. The crowd is always obscenely electric, and the game is usually a good one. This years match up turned out to be pretty one-sided after a close start, but how many times do you see back-to-back kickoff returns for TD's? Good stuff in Denver.

4) A lot of teams to watch that will be either good or REALLY good withing the next two years: Arkansas, Miami, Texas, Alabama, Notre Dame. Each has a ton of young talent that, assuming they progress as expected, should do a lot of winning in a few years.

5) Speaking of number 4, I'm very happy Texas doesn't have to go to Arkansas next year. Because Arkansas is playing ATM next year, the second game of the UT/UA series got moved back a few years. This makes me happy, because by then Petrino should be gone to a job he considers greener pastures, and the Horns may catch the Hogs in another rebuilding stage.

Now for a few NFL thoughts:
1) Yes the Cowboys looked really good yesterday, but let's hold the Tampa reservations, ya hear? Next week will go a long way in determining how good Dallas really is, but even then, it's only week two.

2) How many years will it take San Diego to underachieve until someone finally realizes that Norv Turner is a great coordinator, but a mediocre head coach? I'm not saying they're done. It is only week one after all, but how does a Carolina team with it's best player suspended come to SD and pull out a last-second win?

3) My not-so-bold prediction for who's coming out of the suddenly not-so-dominate AFC? The Pittsbugh Steelers. With Brady being hurt for maybe the year, (breaking news alert: he's out) San Diego looking unprepared, Indy somehow losing at home to the Bears, and Jacksonville managing to drop a game at Tennessee in which VY doesn't play well AND gets hurt, it looks like the Steelers have the early inside track at making the Super Bowl. Also, the AFC north may be football's new worst division, although the AFC East and NFC West may have something to say about that before things are all said and done.

4) Intersting tidbit that probably no one else noticed: After the thrilling finish to the Carolina/SD game, FOX had a rundown of the statistical leaders. Instead of displaying the name Donte Rosario, the tight end who caught the game winner, the FOX graphic read: Rosario Dawson-7rec 96yds 1td. Apparently, the FOX graphics personell got Rosario mixed up with the Sin City (among other things) actress.

Not the Panthers tight end

The Second Ten

It's been well documented around these parts how I made it a goal to read ten books this year. Well, that goal was achieved three months ago, and being someone to never rest on my laurels (whatever those are) I decided to keep on reading. Here's a list and quick review of books 11-20 of 2008:

The Good Guy, Dean Koontz-The sixth Koontz book I've read, and while they're all entertaining, they're also beginning to read the same. This story (like many Koontz novels) centers around an average guy being put in a situation to be a hero and save an innocent civilian, in this case, a young lady who is the target of a murder-for-hire. Intense and exciting, yet predictable with an ending I think I've read before. ***

Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk-I know it's a cult classic, along with the movie, but I just didn't get into it too much. It's a very interesting read if nothing else, but when that's the best you can say about a book, it may be better to rent the movie and save yourself some time. **

Under The Banner Of Heaven, John Krakauer-An amazing story about the history of the Mormon religion. The book mostly focuses on the Fundamentalist Mormon Church, the extreme branch of the religion that condones polygamy, and whose followers claim to receive revelations directly from God to marry multiple wives, and do other fun things like, you know, kill people who disagree with them. *****

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini-A great read that centers around fictitious boyhood friends who get torn apart by the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, and it's consequences that reach all the way to the present day.****

IV: A Decade Of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas, & Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs Chuck Klosterman-Both greats reads, but so similar that I put them together on the list. IV is a collection of Klosterman's best/favorite articles from the various editorials he contributes to, while SD&CCP's is all original thought about various topics that only Klosterman cares about, yet is extremely entertaining.****

Hero Of The Underground, Jason Peter-The much-hyped book from the former Nebraska Cornhusker and Carolina Panther DE Jason Peter. It's definitely an eye-opener and quite honestly amazing that Peter didn't kill himself through all the abuse he put himself through after leaving Nebraska. Would have been a better read, though, if Peter didn't write like a seventh-grader who's mad at the world. I say that because, when there's three swear words per line, it becomes difficult to take the author seriously after about ten pages. Just sayin. Even still, it's entertaining and many times shocking.***

The Shack, William Young-The uber-popular Christian fiction book did not disappoint me. It's a story of a heartbroken father, Mack, who travels into the mountains of Northwest America to discover God, and how He (or She?) still loves Mack and is there for him, even when he doesn't see God.****

Can I Keep My Jersey?, Paul Shirley-Shirley, a pro-basketball journeyman, writes about his experiences traveling the world trying to stick with a team for any sort of significant time. It is a great look at the unseen side of pro basketball, and Shirley does a great job of making fun of himself and his situation as he finds himself in multiple unenviable situations as a pro athlete.****

Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell-Easily the best book of this second group, the story is a first-hand account of Luttrell, a Navy SEAL who survived a gruesome attack from the Taliban in the hills of Afghanistan three years ago. It gives great insight to what it takes to be a SEAL (note: I a'int got 'it,' and you probably don't either) and what our troops experience as they battle for freedom abroad. Highest of high recommendations.*****

Also, if anyone is a Dallas Cowboys fan, or even just a fan of the NFL, I suggest pre-ordering Jeff Pearlman's Boys Will Be Boys. It comes out on Sept 16, and I can't wait to get on this one. I'm gonna go ahead and say that it will be the best thing anyone has ever written about anything. So there.

In a World, Where No One Can Be Trusted...

In a bit of sad news, the 'trailer voice guy' is no longer with us:


Which begs the question: Now that Mr. Lafontaine has passed, who will be the voice on future movie trailers? If I had a vote, it would go to this guy:

(apologies for the Russian, or whatever the heck language that is, subtitles)