College Football is Back!!!

Good Evening my fellow sports lovers! This is a great day for us as what we have been craving and waiting for is finally back, college football. The marquis game of the night turned out to be a laugher but here is what I noticed while watching this contest.

Did the old ball coach make a mistake and choose the wrong starting QB? Has his new laid back demeanor clouded his judgement in knowing what is best going to suite his team come gameday? To say that this game brought about a QB controversy would be ludicrous and I say that with the utmost respect to the players and coaches. Any coach who would leave Beecher in as the starter is asking for a loss in one of the coming games, Smelley is your man in Gamecock country. I have heard that the good numbers were because the NC State D is fatigued? This is just an excuse to be politically correct in an area that does not call for it. Smelley's passes were on target only one high throw which was still completed for an 11 yard gain. Beechers passes were so high that they were intercepted 7 yards deeper downfield than intended. There is no QB controversy unless someone else (Coach Spurrier) wants to create one because their ego is too big to admit being wrong.

Suprisingly enough I had to turn on Oregon State and Stanford to see some good QB play. If this is the caliber of what is to come from the QB position in the SEC, you can kiss your NC dreams good bye.

I know it is the opening game and that teams will not work the kinks out for another couple weeks but if the SEC is as tough as everyone says, a couple of weeks will be too late. One plus from this game was the tough play of South Carolinas Defense and I was especially impressed with their secondary. Again not playing against a great QB but nice game.

The media will create something out of something that is a no brainer as usual. Folks, stay tuned as I am sure this will get good over the next week.

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New Haven Little League Disaster

Has anyone been paying attention to this ridiculous display in New Haven? Unfortunately the parents have forgotten that there are some kids involved here, one of which just happens to be a fine young pitcher. Instead of complaining and quite possibly teaching their kids how to all grow up to be quitters and criminals, maybe they should be asking themselves what they can do to help this situation get resolved and let the kids play ball again.

These parents are a disgrace to other parents in this country and the country on a whole. So basically in the face of adversity we are supposed to tuck tail and run, complain, and make the situation go away by any other avenue but to face it. Maybe if the parents threw extra BP to the other kids they would not be intimidated, or maybe if these kids were not babied into thinking that it is okay to be afraid of someone that is better than you at something this country would still be the great nation it started out to be.

This might be the dumbest thing that we as sports lovers have been subjected to this season. Mike Golic was right, every parent involved with this situation should be ashamed of themselves.

Auburn Football

Auburn Tigers 2008 College Football Team Preview
By Dwayne Bryant

Head coach Tommy Tuberville has a new offensive coordinator, Tony Franklin. Franklin has implemented a spread offense, which should provide much excitement for the Tigers faithful. Whom the starting quarterback will be remains a question. Sophomore Kodi Burns and junior college transfer Chris Todd were still vying for the starting job after the team's spring practice ended. Burns' improved as a passer this spring and his dual-threat ability as a runner makes him the likely choice. But don't count out Todd, who has a better understanding of the spread offense. Todd signed with pass-crazy Texas Tech before opting for junior college after two seasons.

Burns was the backup quarterback last season. Franklin took over the offense in December and gave Burns a chance to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Burns ended up throwing a touchdown pass and running for the winning touchdown in overtime.

The running game will be a group effort led by Ben Tate. Tate rushed for 903 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Senior Brad Lester will also get some carries. The speedy Lester rushed for 530 yards and three touchdowns last season. Mario Fannin and Tristan Davis also figure to see some carries.

The receiving corps will be led by former walk-on Rod Smith. Smith caught 52 passes for 705 yards last season. Seniors James Swinton and Robert Dunn also figure to start, but many receivers will see action in this offense.

Auburn should field one of the SEC's best offensive lines. Seniors Tyronne Green (guard) and Jason Bosley (center) will be joined by sophomores Ryan Pugh, Chaz Ramsey and Lee Ziemba. All three sophomores started last season, including that big win in "The Swamp" against Florida.

Will Muschamp left for Texas, so Paul Rhoads will take over as defensive coordinator. Sen'Derrick Marks moves from end to tackle. Marks had 43 tackles last season. End Antonio Coleman had 18 tackles for a loss last season and figures to be the leading sack artist.

Linebacker Tray Blackmon is back for his junior season. Blackmon missed four games and played on a bad ankle last season, but still managed to record 45 tackles. Outside linebackers Craig Stevens and Chris Evans also return.

Rhoads has already left his mark on this defense, moving Aairon Savage from safety to cornerback during spring. Strong safety Zac Etheridge is the leading returning tackler from last season's squad.

Wes Bynum will once again handle the kicking duties. Bynum nailed 17 field goals as a true freshman last season, including the last-second game-winner at Florida. Punter Ryan Shoemaker also returns. Shoemaker averaged 42.4 yards per punt last season.

Auburn's offensive struggles last season prompted Tuberville to go with Franklin and his spread attack. If the team can learn and execute this offense, the Tigers figure to have a lethal offense to go with a stingy defense. Auburn should end up with a Top-10 ranking and a BCS bowl game. An October road game at West Virginia could play a big part in any national title aspirations.

Dwayne Bryant is the owner of Bullseye Sports Handicapping Service. Dwayne has been one of the best sports handicappers for over 20 years. Dwayne gives a daily free sports pick, including an NCAA football pick every Saturday during the season.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dwayne_Bryant
http://EzineArticles.com/?Auburn-Tigers-2008-College-Football-Team-Preview&id=1310658

Spygate

Will Spygate Haunt the Patriots?
By Robby Morton

Coming into last season, the Patriots were looked upon as the pride of the NFL, the next dynasty to be remembered for its class, expert coaching and drafting skills. Led by future hall-of-famer Tom Brady, the Pats could not be stopped with a superior offensive and defensive that was mixed with young talent and veteran abilities. Now at the end of this season as the total impact of Spygate is getting felt, one must wonder about how the team will be remembered.

Spygate, as it has come to be known, started early in the season when the Pats were caught filming the Jets during pregame practice and continued during the game. As it is illegal to film the opposing team, the Patriots and the coach Bill Belichick were fined in addition to losing their first round draft pick. Later in the year it came out that other games had been taped and accusations were made that Belichick recorded the pregame warm-ups on a regular basis and maybe even before one of their super bowl victories against the Rams.

If a baseball player always knew where the pitcher was putting the ball, would they not look like a great hitter? The same question is now asked of Tom Brady. If he knew what play to run based on the defense that was put out there, is it a wonder he had so many completions? Belichick has been a winning machine since taking over in New England, but who wouldn't have been if you knew the play the opposing team was about to run? The questions need to be asked in order to keep some legitimacy in the sport and avoid further scandals like what is happening to baseball today.

As sports fan have little patience for cheaters, you would have to think that the Patriots fan base has taken a serious hit and will take time to rebuild their reputation. As steroids may leave an astrix next to many baseball records, one might wonder if history will leave an astrix next to all records set by the Patriots, MVP's won by its members and hall-of-famers inducted based on this cheating scandal.

Colts Schedule

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robby_Morton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Will-Spygate-Haunt-the-Patriots?&id=1200378

Good Article on Favre and The Packers

The Continuing Saga - As the Packers & Favre Turn
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Berkey]Andrew Berkey

Last summer we had the shameful saga of Micheal Vick and his dog fighting. This summer we have Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers saga. Far more entertaining and thank God no cruelty to animals. The latest twist has Packers management allegedly filing a complaint to the NFL against non other than arch rival, the Minnesota Vikings. Alleging that the Vikings have had illegal contact with Favre.

Naturally the Vikings are saying no comment regarding the allegations that they have had inappropriate contact with Brett Favre during this 3 month period that Favre has attempted to return to pro football. At the heart of this newest installment of the Favre - packer drama is an unamed source who claims to be close to the Packer organization and familiar with the alleged filed complaint. The undisclosed source informed The Associated Press Weds. night that The Packers had filed the complaint against the Vikings for tampering. The source supposedly went on to say The Packers suspect the inappropriate discussions took place between Favre and Viking offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. I love these unnamed sources, reminds me of the Watergate Days with "Deep Throat."

Favre and Bevell have been long time friends, dating back to Bevell's days as an assistant at Green Bay. The Pack believes Favre's sudden request for release supports their theory of Bevell and The Vikes having some sort of deal in place with Brett. It is now being claimed that The Pack has requested a league investigation and that a check of the phone records will support their claims. Phone records alone, probably would not prove the allegations. However the NFL has been more diligent in these kind of issues. The San Francisco 49ers were disciplined for just such an infraction. Forced to give up their 5th round draft pick and trade 3rd third rounders with the Chicago Bears in the April draft. The continuing soap opera of Brett and The Packers drags on, giving no evidence it will be resolved before the start of the 2008 season.

Andrew Berkey http://www.scoretouchdowns.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Berkey http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Continuing-Saga---As-the-Packers-and-Favre-Turn&id=1336970

College Football

Since we are so close to yet another college football season, I see that the predictions on the internet are rampant with more SEC propaganda than you can shake a stick at. Yes, for once I am in agreement that the SEC is going to be the best division in college football but does that necessarily mean that the champion will come from this division? Probably not and here is why;

The Georgia Bulldogs are thought to be the best team in the SEC this year but no one is taking notice to the brutal stretch of games that they play starting in late October by going to LSU, followed by the worlds largest outdoor cocktail party (if you don't know what that is you should be reading a soccer blog), and after traveling to Kentucky and Auburn. This is a good team but I don't even know that they 95 Cornhuskers could have completed this run of games without a blemish.

Florida goes as Tebow goes which is evident by the way that the offense struggled in the Georgia game last year when his shoulder was hurt. Also, this was one of the worst passing secondaries in all the nation a year ago largely due to youth but lets see how they rebound with the experience.

Tennessee comes back with another good squad but will have questions at Quarterback with the departure of Erik Ainge. Normally in big games you can pretty much be assured that the play calling will overshadow whatever talent they have as well.

LSU coming off a Championship is in disaray but I'm sure they will find a way to put a quality team on the field. The struggle will be to be able to contain the problems off the field and this goes for their staff as well.

Alabama and Auburn may be the two teams that suprise many in this conference and lets not forget that over the last 3 years Auburn is 5-2 against teams in the top 5.

These are only a few reasons to beleive that the champion may not come from the SEC since USC will be undefeated if they get past TOSU, Texas and Missouri will be one loss teams, and two losses may not be good enough (even with the strength of schedule) to make it to a championship.

There will be more to come shortly...