NCAA Tournament – Sweet Sixteen, Sour Big Ten

The first weekend of March Madness is over and Kansas still looks good but Ohio State is making believers out of a lot of us. We also learned, as I told you last time, Big Ten basketball doesn’t translate into the tournament and the Big East might have been overrated. Well, not might have been, they were overrated. Also, let’s not forget that Jimmermania is still alive and well.

It wasn’t a good year to be a six seed. Three of the four six seeds lost. Cincinnati was the only six seed to make it the second round. The Southwest bracket has to be in tatters for everyone. The ten seed Florida State, eleven seed VCU, twelve seed Richmond and thirteen seed Morehead State all won in that region. Louisville wasn’t able to get past Morehead State but at least Rick Pitino landed on his feet. He was in the studio for CBS before the weekend was over.

Pitino made lemons out of lemonade but Bruce Pearl fared much worse. After Tennessee failed to show up for the Michigan game and lost by thirty points so the Volunteers brass decided enough was enough. Pearl was in hot water from the beginning of the season so now was as good a time to cut ties with him. Maybe he and his colorful suits can land at a school where recruiting infractions aren’t frowned upon. USC would be a good fit if they decide to show their coach the door.

Who cares about rules?

Last week I questioned if Notre Dame deserved a two seed, they didn’t. I also questioned why Texas was a four seed. Maybe that wasn’t a bad spot for them because they obviously weren’t ready for the big time. The Big Ten had seven teams at the start of the tournament and two rounds later they have two. Purdue couldn’t hang with VCU so now Kansas looks to have an easier time to the Final Four. The Big East had eleven teams on Thursday and now they have just two. Pitt decided to give the game away against Butler so now Florida has an easier path to the Final Four. Maybe those conferences were overinflated and probably should have had fewer teams in the tournament. Of course it’s hindsight but how did Colorado and Alabama not make this tournament? They couldn’t have done worse than the bottom teams in those conferences.

Jimmer Fredette and BYU are into the Sweet Sixteen so look for another weekend of his mug being everywhere. He leads the tournament in scoring at 33 points a game. Did you expect anything less from him? Jimmermania lives!!! The BYU – Florida matchup in the Southeast region is probably one of the most anticipated games. The winner should be able to parlay that momentum into winning the next game and a potential date with Kansas.

Jimmer Madness

I doubted Ohio State before the tournament but they have raised some eyebrows. I still don’t think they’ll make the Final Four but they are better than I thought. Pitt beat Ohio State to be the first one seed to fall. Obama’s Final Four is already busted. Ohio State meets Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen. John Calipari has Kentucky playing well at the right time. They looked a bit shaky in early February, losing three out of four, but it only matters how you’re playing now.

Kansas was my favorite before the Tournament and I haven’t seen anything that changes my mind. It helps that ten seed Florida State is the highest seed remaining in the Southwest. The Morris twins are averaging a combined 36 points a game to go with 20.5 rebounds per game. Impressive.

Kansas' keys to success

I was able to catch the games on Armed Forces Network but I got some crappy broadcasters and they never changed away from the blowout games. Spero Dedes and Bob Wenzel were calling the St. Peter’s – Purdue game and then the Georgetown – VCU game. They were terrible. I didn’t get any excitement from them. I know the Purdue game was a blowout but Speros and Wenzel couldn’t save it. The TNT crew just didn’t work for me. Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley are great on NBA but they’re not college guys. Although, Charles Barkley had a pretty good blast when he called the Big East, “the Big Least”. Steve Smith, Tom Crean, Seth Davis and Greg Anthony were great in the studio but they really should’ve found some room for Jay Bilas. He’s the best college hoops analyst and he’s not involved in the telecasts, that’s a shame.

CBS couldn't find a place for this guy?

Big 10: Really? You want Missouri?

I dont look like this person, but he has a beard

Warning: This is going to be a Rant. This is going to be the loudest thing I have written on this website.  Picture me screaming these words.

Missouri and Nebraska have both shown interest in expansion of the Big Ten (actually 11, referenced the rest of this article as Big 11).  They have to declare their future intentions and desires by Friday, a deadline created by the Big 12. If both teams decide to move against the conference then another big  domino could possibly fall. When the South minus Baylor plus Colorado might get an invitation to play in the late game, I mean the Pac-10.

First let me ask the a question:  The Big 11 wants to expand to 13 or 12? I think this is a huge question that is being overlooked.  So the Big 10 has been hiding the eleventh team long enough that they are thinking about expanding, maybe adding a championship game, etc. So why would they go after both Missouri and Nebraska? Ok, you caught the Big 11, they were playing the field dating around a bit and the dates started bragging, only to find out they are both being courted. Instead of being upset by this slut-manship by the Big 11, they are approaching it as kind of a Big Love situation and embracing each other as sister wives.  They are making people believe this is about two teams, but isn’t it really about 1? Why haven’t we heard more from the Big 11 commissioner? Why is this based on the courted and not who is making the final selection? Don’t they actually want Notre Dame?

Fact: I love question marks.

Theory: The Big 11 will either chose one of the teams or chose the team that remains after they make their decision on Friday only if its Nebraska, and will choose neither if its Notre Dame.

Break Down of the Ladies:

Nebraska

He has the power

Strength: Football and Volleyball

Natural Rivals: Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri

Big 12 Connection: Original member of the Big 8, built a Dynasty of smash mouth option football under Tom Osborne.

Big 11 Connection: Some suggest a rivalry between  the Huskers and the University of Michigan as both programs have storied pasts but they have seldom crossed paths.

Overall Rationale:  Nebraska fits the mold of the Big 11, built on tradition and the run game and loves thinking highly of itself. Nebraska fits the conference in mindset, but would loose a large part of it’s image in playing in the Western division of the Big 11 that would feature strong football programs like Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern. Although Wisconsin and Iowa have a little more tradition, its a very similar situation as being in the Big 12 North.

Missouri

Norm's Watching for sure

Strengths: Football, Basketball and Baseball*

*all generously listed as strengths.

Natural Rivals: Kansas, Kansas State, Illinois, Iowa State, Nebraska

Big 12 Connection: Member since 1907 the Tigers have had a long stand rivalry with Nebraska and Kansas with two of the longest run game streaks in the NCAA. The Boarder show down based on the Civil War with the football game played at neutral site to increase seating and revenue.

Big 11 Connection: Started a series with Illinois called the Bragging rights series (I guess every real name of the rivalry was taken). This dates back to 1980 and has run consistently since 1983. The football series although older (1896) has only played 21 games.

Overall Rationale: Missouri wants this. But if they are accepted its cause three other girls decided not to dance with the Big 11. With the expansion of the rivalry in recent years Missouri has tried to build name with the 11.  Missouri sees this as a chance to expand in both of the two major sports as the division would favor them for Basketball and Football.

So there’s the break down, and this leads to the new question. Since I am painting it as only one going, if only Missouri goes will Texas and Co. stick around? The Answer is yes, but the Marriage between the South and the Pac-10 is a whole other issue.

The Bearded Guy

March: Contenders and Pretenders

Too Bad, It's Over!

Now that the Olympics are over it is time for me to officially start my commentary on the NCAA basketball season. In our group it has been discussed that there is not a clear cut group of number ones and even more so, number twos. Based on the rankings right now (which seeding is not based on), Ohio State would get a 2 seed with 7 losses, that’s right seven, and West Virginia would get the final one with 6 losses. Really? There’s something for The Blasian to write about right there.  Ohio State lost to North Carolina, Minnesota, and Michigan (plus their quality losses). Wow they deserve to be in the top 10 like I need to be treated for anorexia.

This season does not make sense, pre-season we had Kansas at one (ok they are still around there) and Texas and Michigan State at two depending on the poll. Texas fell apart! 17-0 and since? 6-7.

Michigan State  at 22-7 also lost to North Carolina to add to their 16-14 record, apparently they had two quality wins out of their 16. I will take them over the Buckeyes in the rematch.  But that’s the Big 10.

Pac 10? Are you out there? There is a chance that everyone in the conference could have double digit losses. A stretch maybe, but still a possibility. I guess Cal gets in, but it depends on who wins the PAC 10 Tournament, they might only get two teams in.  Is this really the conference that has: Stanford, UCLA, Arizona, and USC?

Count on him down the Stretch!

SEC basketball is back, kind of, not really, but they have Kentucky and Tennessee. Do not count on Kentucky when it matters though, I mean they have Calipari, the worse close game coach around. He called a timeout the other day giving the opposing team a chance for a shot to tie or win. Afterwards, Calipari said “It’s the dumbest Timeout, I have ever called!” (True) but what about timeouts you haven’t called  JOHN?!? He’s bad on both sides of the decision making.

Now I am not going to fill out a bracket and post it on Reverse Oreo. Come on, some secretary is going to fill out a bracket based on colors and mascots and get 75% correct.  So I am going to take my likely final four, before the bracket is out and after its out.

Pre-Bracket Final Four

Kentucky – out in the final four because of Calipari

Syracuse- They have been pretty consistent

Kansas- They have two big games to wrap up the season before the Big 12 tourney (KSU and @ Mizzou).

Michigan State- They are mature and the held Purdue to 44 pts over the weekend

All I care to remember from the KBL

Korean Basketball:  We have talked about how terrible KBL guard play and wondered out loud why they haven’t brought over a foreign player to run the show. This is further confused by the history of the league that once banned foreigners over the height of 6’8″, which has since been abolished. Yet they have never shown an interest in guards from outside Korea. Still a foreign concept here, and I am left more confused after watching the daily games.

I leave you with this video, enjoy

Salute

The Bearded Guy

Not quite “RiCOCKulous”

Since there is no “Simply RiCOCKulous” article for this week, I decided to hit you with something a we can all relate to…b/c we all have gotten these emails at work!  You know what emails I’m talking about!  The one from that really close “Personal Friend” (You know the one that you grew up with and gave your kidney to last year and the same one that would never do anything to harm you in any way) b/c you can always trust them!!……Yea, that buddy…so  you open the email at work and all of a sudden, a picture or short video of 2 COMPLETELY NAKED  Women (or Men) playing twister while covered in chocolate pops up on your screen!…(See now you know what I’m talking about) And sometimes if you are lucky like me, it is at that exact moment that your boss decides to walk by and pay you a visit.  Well THIS poor fellow has it much worse b/c his email was opened on live TV on a major financial network….Poor Bastard! But still quite funny!

Another future casualty of the Economic Downturn! Or simply stupid!

Anyway this is primarily a Sports Blog so let me go ahead and say a couple words on something sports related…..

1) Arsenal of the EPL is NOT who we thought they were! That’s right the Gunners lost AGAIN to another big team this week!  Actually getting crushed 3-1 at home by Manchester United!  Yet, the Young Gunz can take some solace in the fact that they have had an impressive season so far given that most thought, they would finish out of the top 4 given their age and inexperience!  However quite to contrary, b/c as recently as last week the ARSENAL was at the top of the EPL standings (if only be it for a couple days). But if they really want to make it to the next level they are going to have to at least win at home against the Man Utd’s and Chelsea’s of the World!

"THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE"

2)  Apparently Being ranked #1 in College Basketball is an Automatic Loss Manufacturer this season!  Since the cupcake portion of the season ended (around Jan 4th),  All 3 teams that have been ranked #1 coming into the week (Kansas, Texas and Kentucky) have promptly lost after being bestowed with such Honor.  And due to this, I’m not sure if I feel that anybody is a clear cut favorite to win it all this year. Here’s hoping the next #1 ranked team can at least keep the rating for a week!

3) And am I the only 1 that thinks Tennis is getting totally boring?  Serena and Federer won again at the Aussie Open!!  Where’s the new blood??? Who is suppose to be challenging these guys?  Murray and Roddick are definitely not living up to the hype and  Nadal still really can’t beat Federer either!  At least Serena takes brakes from dominating her opponents to make clothes, jewelry and music videos or whatever!  But you can’t deny that when she’s focused nobody can beat her, (including her sister)!  I mean I’m all for Great Champions and all but would love to at least see some more promising competition for these two!

This is all too Common! (Pun intended!!)

– Kennedy Wong aka The BLASIAN

They might be hereos…?

No one will ever call me a hero for my game picks!  For the second week in a row, I went 1-3.  I declared that we had to take the over (57) in the Saints and Cardinals game,  it ended at 59.  So I was in a funk because of this miserable performance again, and couldn’t bring myself to post. 

On the upside, Texas suffered a KU situation, battling at home against A &M, basically playing like garbage but pulling out the win in overtime (see KU vs. Cornell).  Then followed the survival with a road loss to a rank opponent who is probably overrated. K-State will still be K-State, they will be eliminated in the second round of the tournament. (While Tennessee was playing with great emotion after the loss, see hotbox-gate)  So now the only unbeaten left is Kentucky, but in all reality its only a matter of time until they are winless, just ask the 2007-2008 Memphis tigers or the Marcus Camby UMass 95-96 team, they have are a Calipari NCAA Sanction waiting to happen. Someone may want to check John Wall’s SAT/ACT scores.  Another question worth pondering if the 2007-2008 Memphis Tigers and the 1995-1996 UMass Minutemen (the good kind) went defeated how did Calipari win the Naismith  College (96 and 08) and the Conference USA  (2008) and A-10 (96) coach of the year awards? He must be the only coach in the history of the game to have a completely defeated team TWICE and win coach of the year with said defeated team!  Someone should discuss that….That being said, he still hasn’t won a national championship.  Speaking of Shady….. 

Article to check out: The Dirtiest Player, GQ 2-2010 

Don't mess with his Carwash

The wheels have come off for the quietformer Colts Receiver Marvin Harrison. Apparently he is not a nice guy.  Everyone used to love him, he did his job, he was quite, the anti-T.O. Then all of a sudden he is kicking a dude in the streets in Philly and trying to shoot him while the guy is in a car.  Some role model, as a society maybe we should back-off the idea of the idea of humility on the football field makes for a great person.  Something worth noting: His sports bar is aptly named Playmakers, obviously he loved the  canceled ESPN show when the players are going crazy beyond the football field so much that he named his sports bar after his beloved canceled show. 

At least he has finally earned a nickname: Marv the Menace!  Look for him to release a hip-hop album very soon. 

What to watch: Final episode of the Jersey Shore. 

Don't make him use his strength

I am already in mourning.  I can’t wait for the final episode followed by the reunion, a reunion I will watch any time I feel like the dumbest person alive.  Ronnie has turned out to be controlled by Sammi unless you follow him on the boardwalk and then some sort of hulk character emerges and he kills anyone on the 2X4s who makes any comments about him.  Ronnie hasn’t mentioned what he does outside of this month on the shore, but can you imagine his employer seeing him drop the dude with a running one punch!!!  Someone needs to put up a photo of that dude crumpled on the ground and Ronnie jumping up and down!  Ronnie possess that strength that certain people have that aren’t that smart!  Speaking of physical violence, J-woww may be a man!  This would explain the terrible boob job and extreme strength.  When this show started who knew almost everyone would get hit in the face!  The Mark is going to hit this up more in depth so I will stop for now… 

Korean Sports Update: 

It's a celebration bitches

Some men’s and women’s volleyball teams competed, half won and half lost, and no one was entertained by their beauty, besides the one female Puerto Rican  player. 

Handball maintains an untapped market that the United States could dominate.  A slow-paced game, that all you have to do is attack a goal by throwing the ball! Really  Come on now, US let’s get some intramural teams together and a get ready for 2012. 

He would have score 50 a game!

KBL missed out on the Stephon Marbury “Sweepstakes”.  He signed in the Chinese league for some low amount of currency so he can sell The Starburys in China.  China welcome blisters and broken down shoes! 

Problematic song of the Month: Miley Cyrus- Party in the USA (Chopped and Screwed).  Thanks Draper! 

Ok Cheers! 

The Bearded Guy

All Football Post: FNL Borrowing from Reality, and NFL Playoff Picks Week 2

Friday Night Lights

Everyone knows that the television show is based on the book by H.G. Bissinger about the Permian Panthers in Odessa, Texas during their 1988 season, The Mark’s senior year. In the book, Boobie goes out in a preseason scrimmage game and is done for the season and the team eventually overcomes this obstacle only to be eliminated in the Semi-Finals of the State Playoffs by Dallas Carter. Its a very emotional book, as it discusses these real people growing up in West Texas, where the cliché Football  is life seems to be true.  In 2004,  the book became a hit sports movie of the same name, Friday Night Lights, and for the most part they didn’t Hollywood it too much, instead the Panthers made it to the state championship and Boobie Miles sticks around the team, but overall they are able to capture what really was happening.

Along comes the series of the same name, Friday Night Lights, which is a fictional story based on the idea of football being the driving force of a town, and how it affects everyone in the town, even if they do not like football, see Julie Taylor. The show is fantastic and often has little football elements, which keeps the show fresh and not looking like Playmakers or Varsity Blues, with crazy hits on every play. Often the players or the head coach, Eric Taylor, are going through some major off the field problems.  But it has become apparent that they are borrowing strongly from the history of Quarterbacks at the University of Texas. As of the end of season 3, season 4 is airing on Direct TV 101, Eric is out at the main powerhouse high school based on the moves the new powerful booster Joe McCoy, over the playing time of his son J.D. McCoy. This occurs after Coach Taylor brings back his QB, Matt Saracen, that he had benched earlier in the season for McCoy.  Saracen plays well, but the team falls short.  After I saw this I thought immediately of the Texas quarterback situation of Major Applewhite/ Chris Simms, in which Major Applewhite had accomplished a ton with the program only to be benched based on the hype of the new comer, Chris Simms, who has a powerful father in Phil Simms, football announcer and former Giant great, Chris Simms struggled and was booed by Texas fans for a lackluster showing in the Big 12 title game, they wanted Applewhite, after a injury they got their chance and Applewhite almost brought them all the way back.  The following game, Applewhite’s last as a Texas QB, he led the Longhorns to an improbable come back victory in the Holiday Bowl to go out on top…..So the writers changed the story slightly but Saracen is still Applewhite, and McCoy is Simms, and without spoiling season 4 for anyone, as most people don’t have Direct Tv, but Coach Taylor has a new quarterback who has an arm and is very fast and is starting at a young age. Can anyone say we have a new Vince Young, I cant wait for his senior year when they are the huge underdog and beat the “USC” high school. Anyways everyone should check out the show!

Moving on to reality

I’m not going to apologize, because I was the one who lost money if you made bets based solely on my predictions you don’t have a mind of your own.  That being said I have a much better feeling about this week, We don’t have three rematches from the week before with a bunch of people resting, so let me start.

Arizona @ New Orleans

Line: New Orleans -7

As a friend of mine would say, “New Orleans is really banged up, we are really hurt in the secondary.” That being stated I want to point to the over/under at 57, come on only 57? Shouldn’t it be around 100? These offenses are ridiculous when they get hot, and I wouldn’t expect anything but fire on Saturday. This same friend also said he had a feeling that New Orleans would lose in their first game, well I guess I will have to agree. I take Arizona to cover the seven. I think Boldin will play giving Warner another target, especially across the middle. I would seriously be dumbfounded if less than 57 points were scored, I mean didn’t Arizona put up 51 on the league’s statistically best defense last week?

Alright: Arizona

Baltimore @ Indianapolis

Line: Indianapolis -6.5

The Colts have been on rest for about a month now it seems, so they should be healthy, but will they be in game mode/shape? I think so. Baltimore’s game plan is not going to be much different from last week, GIVE THE BALL TO RAY, they will try to control the clock and give Peyton Manning as little time with the ball as possible.  I feel Indianapolis can stack the box better than New England did last week, which should add up to a few 3-and-outs. Giving Peyton to attack a defense that might be a little worn down. I don’t think it will matter that Oher is protecting Flacco’s  Blindside, after last weeks performance. I think its a great matchup to watch and the Colts will kick a field goal to finish it putting them up 10 with 3 minutes left.

Moving on: Colts

Dallas @ Minnesota

Line: Minnesota -3

So earlier this week I apologized to Dallas. I apologize so much I pick them to win in Minnesota. Why you ask? Not because of the game against Philly. But the way Minnesota played down the stretch, and mainly losing to Chicago, and the lack of committal to making Adrian Peterson the man. Dallas will win this game, based on Childress calling terrible offensive game and Dallas defense showing up again. Will Favre retire again?

Six shooter in Minnesota: Dallas

New York Jets @ San Diego

Line: San Diego -7

Oddly enough the Sanchise will return to the West Coast with a playoff win under his belt.  But this is where it ends, the young buck and the Jets will not leave San Diego with a victory or a loss by less than 8. Why? San Diego is going to be two-dimensional. Bring back the ground game, expect a big play out of one of the two RBs, my bet is on Sproles.  It’s an easy draw getting Cincinnati in the first round, but the Chargers are the hottest team right now and the front-runner to make it to the Super Bowl. A loss here and you can say goodbye to Norv Turner and to the chances of the Chargers winning one for a long time!

Get Electric

On aside on football, Big Fan is excellent. Check it out if you like football, Patton Oswalt, or know someone who lives with their mom and calls into SportsTalk

Beyond RiCOCKulous

Posted on Facebook. Someone to remain nameless was bragging about obtaining their temporary Shampoo Apprenticeship. Word? Is that a real thing? I am pretty sure I have been able to Shampoo on my own for a few years now, and I think people would allow me to shampoo their hair without the license, not that Im trying to. How can you get a license at all for this, let alone an apprenticeship? Its mind blowing. and Why is she bragging about obtaining this? So many questions that cause me to pull out my hair. Now I have no hair and the ticket has become even more irrelevant.

So this has nothing to do with anything but….

Cheers
The Bearded Guy

Woeful Weekend

1) So I came forward last week and basically called the Cowboys an easy out against the Eagles. I am here to apologize to the Cowboys.  I took you for the Cowboys of the past few years, the collapsing at the end of the season ‘boys who get hyped by the media and then fall apart with a sub story developing. Despite McNabb looking loose before the game, it was apparent from the beginning, loose didn’t mean ready.  The real player was Vick, who didn’t want the season to end so badly that he delivered one of the longest touchdown passes of his career. He must really not want to attend PETA rallies.  Beyond that, the Patriots era is no more, unable to stop the Ravens rush attack to save their lives; at home no less. Cincinnati failed to redeem Chris Henry, also at home, and how hard is it to hit a field goal? Everyone having a son now a days should get them kicking, there are definitely kicking positions available. The only pick I got right happened in the anti-defense game of 2010. Making it look a lot like the Cardinals of last year. They will need Boldin to continue on, but still a tough out.

2) The BCS game fell apart when the uninjured McCoy went down in the first series of the game. Once that happened, everyone watching considered switching over to catch the new Jersey Shore or started complaining their wasn’t a new Office. It had to be one of the biggest disappointments to happen that early in a championship game.  Even when Ted Ginn went down a few years back after the opening kickoff return (see terrible celebrations), Ohio State still had the Heisman trophy defaulter* in Troy Smith.  So they had other options. But McCoy goes down and in comes Gilbert, not smoking gun agent zero, but a red-shirt freshman who had thrown 26 passes this season in mop-up time, and with little running game it looked like it could be over just like that. But Gilbert did his part, sure he had a couple of turnovers, but his receivers did not pick him up either, the shovel pass, an extremely costly turnover should not be on him and the line did not seem to give him quite the time necessary. Obviously McCoy is the better QB, but Texas still could have won this game if the supporting players stepped up.

3) Unbeatens fall:  KU and Purdue. Both on the road and of little consequence at this point in the season. But a Kansas team that had been skating by turned the ball over 16 times and shot 38 percent finally doomed the former No. 1. Despite Tennessee being ranked 15th. Bruce Pearl recently dismissed star guard Tyler Smith and three other players remain on suspension. As a KU homer, I think it needed to happen especially after the close call to Cornell. Kansas clearly didn’t show up to play in back-to-back games and if they were able to get another win out of that mentality it could have cost them down the road. Self should refocus his squad especially recent turnover machines like Markieff Morris and Tyshawn Taylor.

So No 3 Penis Wine this week! Hopefully we can get some picks right next weekend. To come my picks in the KHBL, Korean Handball League, straight lock picks.

Salute

The Bearded Guy

BCS-A feel of sickness

As much as I would like to agree with The Mark. I have seen Texas sputter too often this season. I think they have played very similar to Florida during the regular season, Uninspired. What made the difference for Florida was a whirlwind of emotions surrounding Tebow’s last game and Meyer’s walking away. If  Texas can find some of that magic, they could pull off the upset, but I do not know what they will be drawing that magic from.  I think both defenses will play their games, and the game will be decided by less than 4 points, but it will be an Alabama victory. I hate you Nick Saban.

The Bearded One

Texas Forever!

Texas and Alabama will bring the bowl season to an end. The BCS Championship game should live up to the hype. Alabama is favored by 4 but I don’t buy it.

Sure, Bama put a damper on The Tim Tebow Show but I like Texas in this one. The spread is where is should be but things don’t always go as planned. Four years ago, USC was supposed to blow the Longhorns out of the water but someone forgot to tell Vince Young. This Alabama team is not the 2005 Trojans and Colt McCoy is not Vince Young but the outcome will be the same.

Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram will get his yards but not as many as he’s used to. Jordan Shipley, with Colt McCoy’s help, will make things happen. Hook ’em Horns! Texas 20-13