Thursday, November 29, 2007
Psycho Fan Expectations
I read a LOT about sports. I read many articles discussing everything from Tennis to College Football to Track and Field. Most of what I read is college football, and I get dissappointed from time to time when I read an article and Arkansas (MY TEAM) doesn't get any attention alongside the competition.
We recently lost Houston Nutt. All signs point to him being fired and allowed to go out looking good and with his pockets lined by the stupidest University Official, Chancellor John White, who is a good Chancellor, but he needs to stay out of the athletic program. Members of the national media are saying that the reason he is gone, and the reason why a coach wouldn't want to come to Arkansas is because our fan base has ridiculous expectations.
I wish they would label it properly as SOME of our fan base has ridiculous expectations. A call went up throughout the Razorback nation before the North Texas game that if you thought Nutt should be gone, you should wear black to the game... It looked pretty Cardinal to me. Out of 70,000 fans, maybe 2,000 were wearing black. There were banners flying at some games, but it's not like the members of the Razorback Foundation planned that. It was just some assholes on a message board.
So before people go around saying we have a psycho fan base without realistic expectations, look at it really. We do have some psycho fans, who have been given too much power in this day and age of the internet and FOIA requests to make their feelings known. But don't let anyone feed you this shit about our fans. Our fans have class and love for the team. Our fans have a respect for the past, and Houston will not be the one getting booed when Ole Miss comes to town next year. It will be the rebels who get booed.
Our fans did not cheer for the Mizzou Tigers last night, and they gave their all to help the razorbacks take a win over the tigers, but when Mike Anderson was introduced last night he got a 30 second standing ovation.
The Razorback Nation takes pride in their hogs, and we are all well aware of the massive improvement Houston was on the previous administration. If anyone can say that Houston was fired due to psycho fans with unrealistic expectation after the team just went 10-4 and 8-4 following two seasons of 5-6 and 4-7 they are blowing smoke right up your ass. If people want to say it was due to his off the field problems caused by himself, the coach he hired, and the players he recruited dealing with a small portion of the fan base that just wants to see passing, then you might have something. But otherwise, stay away from my team and my fellow fans.
WOO Pig Sooie!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Hello Dallas, Bye Bye Houston.
Against pretty much the best
The LSU Tigers have not allowed a 100 yard rusher all season.
Darren McFadden had 206. And 3 touchdowns. And one TD throw.
What's a guy got to do to win a Heisman around here?
As amazing as he was, it was a team effort. LSU had no answer to the triumvirate of McFadden-Jones-Hillis. Along with D-Mac's 3 touchdowns, Hillis had 3, and Jones was crucial in OT, running in the final 2-point conversion.
Poor wikkle tigers.
Lose their title hopes, and most likely their coach to the Wolverines.
Speaking of...Sorry Houston. You've pulled out the biggest win of your Arkansas career, but you're still out. All that this proves is your inconsistency. I wish you well, but (as a UA student and Razorback fan) I'm not sorry to see you go. Well done, but...holla' atcha boy.
But that's for later. Until then, I'll see you guys at the Cotton Bowl.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Stop Teasing Us
I still love the e-mail I got from the school news paper with breaking news, that the sports editor had confirmed it.
The school released information later saying that it was all rumors and blah blah blah.
Who cares. I'd be interesed in how many phone calls and e-mails the athletic department and Chancellor White recieved and which way they went. At this point, it's basically stuff like this that could distract our team and make us lose lose lose. Or could enspire them, but sometimes even inspired teams can lose with bad coaching.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Whatda F--k's up?
This is the standings prior to day 6 at the Tennis Master's Cup in Shanghai. Federer was ranked number one to start the tournament and he starts off his round robin with the 4, 5, and 7 seeds. Meanwhile over in the Gold group, they have 2, 3, 6, and 8. I guess that's a fair balance, and I'm not exactly sure how I would choose to break up the round robin. I think the traditional style would be randomly assign first round matches, winners play each other and losers play each other, Go for three rounds until you have a 3-0 and 3 2-1 that way it's clear cut.
So anyway the way it looks right now... The gold group is decided, from there you have David Ferrer at 3-0 and Rafeal Nadal at 2-1. The red group, Andy Roddick (the other ARod) is through to the semifinals, but it's between Roger Federer and Fernando Gonzalez who gets the top spot. Gonzo already beat the swiss man, but unless Fed loses to Arod, Ferndando is going home, even if he beats the cheater Nikolay Davydenko.
Whatda F--k's up wit dat? If they are both 2-1, or 1-2, which should you look at first, head-to-head or Sets won and lost? I say head-to-head, but the Tennis master's cup round robin looks at sets won and lost... so when Fed was able to take 1 set from the Chilean, it was better than the win for Gonzo.
It looks like it will probably be a non-issue, as Fed hasn't lost to Roddick since August of '03 and Nikolay Daveydenko owns Gonzalez with a 3-0 record. It looks like it's gonna be 2-1 Fed and Roddick in the semis.
My other issue with tennis seeding is in all of the major tournaments. It's like you have 32 seeds right and 1 plays 17 and then 9 and then 5 and then 3. How can that sit right in any sports aficianado's mind? 1 plays 32 then 16, then 8, then 4. Sure they Number one seed still has the easiest road, but it just doesn't sit right with me.
This is a notice to Tennis. Cooperate! Do as you're told. Get your weirdo system in line with the sports in this nation, or I'll have to bust your balls internationally in all the countries that you are played in. I mean seriously... Whatda F--k's up?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Charles Thomas Loves Fried Chicken
Monday, November 12, 2007
Word on the Street
Knowshon Moreno - 106.29
Felix Jones - 90.17
Terry Grant - 87.57
Arian Foster - 85.33
Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis - 81.33
Anthony Dixon - 80.33
Tim Tebow - 73.38 (though he does lead all other backs in TDs with 16)
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Grizzlie's get first win
Kevin Durant and Rudy Gay are friends and Durant often calls and talks to the Memphis forward, but the calls may not come for awhile after Gay laid 25 points and 10 rebounds to help push the Griz over the Supersonics.
The Lesbian Gym Teacher Mike Miller also added 20 points and the grizzlies are 1/22 on their way to equaling their win total from last year.
Marc Iavaroni got his first win as a head coach.
You know there really isn't a whole lot of interesting about this game except for the fact that natoriously bad for rebounding, Memphis grabbed 25 O. Rebounds against the Sonics. PJ Carlesimo (owner of the gayest name in proffesional sports except that forward for Memphis) was furious with his team for allowing that. In the closing seconds, Kyle Lowery grabbed his own offensive rebound and then drained a 3 pointer to seal the game up.
The key to slowing down a 6-9 Rookie scoring machine that averages 24 points per game like Durant? "Getting into his body and try to alter his shot," Gay said.
Durant ended with 17 points on 3-17 shooting.
SEC Basketball Player Profile - Ramel Bradley
Name: Ramel Bradley
Position: Guard
Class: Senior
Height: 6' 2"
Nickname: Ball Hog
Ramel Bradley likes it when the ball is in his hands. He is pretty much a ballhog and the Kentucky fans have been known to call him on his selfishness. In his junior season his assist numbers went way up under the final year being coached by Tubbie Smith.
In Wednesday Night's Coaches vs. Cancer game in Rupp Arena, Ramel led all scorers with 24 points on 4-11 shooting. The key is he got to the line. 14 times. That's a lot of free throws and he made every last one of them. And for being a ball hog he led his team in assists also with 3 of them. Ramel might be blossoming under Billy Gillespie, but 24 points in a losing effort is still a losing effort. Ramel's 4-11 from the field is a little better than the overall 22-62 for the whole wildcat team which only went 9 deep and had Ramel Bradley playing a full 40 minutes.
Once again, a team that you wouldn't think could beat Kentucky beats them, and the Wildcat faithful are left with tickets they can't use. Madison Square Garden looked to have been full of Blue with Memphis already punching their ticket and UConn a likely favorite to be there in the semifinals, but Kentucky couldn't cut it and now their fans will be sitting at home.
Ramel is a good player and looks to be one of the prominent scorers on this very talented Kentucky team. He should have a good season, but he doesn't seem like a good pro prospect with his limited shooting ability and only being 6'-2".
As for everyone not associated with the Kentucky basketball program? Everyone is excited, and a little afraid. We all know Kentucky has good talent and a talented coach, but we were all kinda hoping that they would think they could just coast on that for the season. Losing this game early will mean 1 of 2 things.
1. Kentucky is really bad. Gillespie doesn't know how to coach and his players were way overhyped. They will plummet to the bottom of the SEC and make a run in the NIT.
2. Kentucky is going to play the rest of the season all crazy-like. They are going to become aware that talent and reputation will get you 0 wins and they will be out to prove they are the best.
I think it's the latter and other teams that have Kentucky on the schedule might be saying "aww s--t" right now.
Ramel Bradley hopes so. He can score and can play ball, but he and his team will have to get better on defense and execute on the offensive side of the ball, or the Kentucky faithful will be saying "aww s--t" a lot this season.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Todd Boeckman for Heisman
A few reasons why this is the dumbest thing ever stated
Skip Bayless is an idiot
Todd Boeckman blows
Ohio St. may have the number one ranking, but they suck.
If OSU gets in the national title they will get blown out again.
Skip Bayless is really stupid
Darren McFadden is amazing
Timmy Tebow has ridiculous numbers
Skip Bayless eats babies
Advice to Current and Future ADs
As you know, in the past I have called for Houston Nutt's Firing. Or at least agreed with those that have. At this point, I don't think he should be coaching the Razorbacks, but you probably can't fire him. Judging by the turmoil surrounding college football, you may have trouble luring another coach out of a good job to come to Arkansas. I'm sure you've got some coaches on the radar, and I'm sure they might be telling you they are interested or at least will be after the season is over, but even if Houston tanks, loses three games, and goes 6-6 your best bet is probably keeping him longer.
Of the schools that will have vacant coaching positions next year, these are the ones I would rank above the Arkansas job.
UCLA
Notre Dame
Texas A&M
Nebraska
Michigan
The word on the street is Tubberville is going to A&M and if that happens then Auburn is up for grabs and that job is at least on Par with the Arkansas job and it will just make it that much harder to suceed.
So go ahead and talk to some guys. Make sure you are in case Houston decides to jump ship to another school, but be prepared for the fact that firing Houston could be a bad idea. I'm not saying he's a good coach, but he's better than no coach. You don't have anyone on your staff that would make a good head coach at this point in their career, but maybe you could start grooming someone.
Be prepared, because the head coaching market is gonna be flooded soon. If you do start talking to people, I would get these guys in this order.
Mark Mangino - Kansas
Chris Peterson - Boise St.
Rich Rodriguez - West Virginia
Jerry Moore - Appalachian State - If you feel like gambling
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
SEC Basketball Top to Bottom
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Mississippi St.
- Florida
- Vanderbilt
- Kentucky
- Ole Miss
- Auburn
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- LSU
- Georgia
Tennessee is the clear favorite to start the season.
Arkansas easily returns the most non-Chris Lofton Talent with tons of good big men and Patrick Beverley
Mississippi St. has an excellent back court with Jamont Gordon and Ben Hansbrough.
Florida has had some of the best recruiting classes it's not a question of 'if' they'll be good, it's just when.
Vanderbilt - two words - Shan Foster - My pick for SEC player of the year
Kentucky has some good talent and a coach that has been able to do wonders turning teams around, imagine what he can do with 2-Pat and Ramel Bradley
Ole Miss - Williams and Curtis are probably the 2nd best front-court in the SEC. Andy Kennedy will do good things.
Auburn had some solid wins last season and are very experienced. Their lack of big men keeps them from the top.
South Carolina lacks scorers. Dave Odom has been able to work magic in the past, but he can't get good players in Columbia.
Alabama would be so much higher if Ronald Steele was playing, but he's not. It's all up to Gee and Hendrix, I just don't see good things for this team.
LSU has slipped mightily since their Elite Eight run 2 years ago. Tasmin Mitchell is their only good player.
Georgia only has Sundiata Gaines. It could be a long season for the bull dogs
The west is pretty weak and the top 6 are really the only teams that will make any noise this year. All of the top 6 should get in the NCAA Tourney this year and Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi St. should be dancing for more than one weekend. Kentucky is WAY overrated this season.
Monday, November 5, 2007
SEC Basketball Player Profile - Korvotney Barber
Barkley vs. Bavetta Heisman Watch
I'm gonna break down what has to happen for each of these candidates to win the coveted BvB Heisman which has way more value and homerism than the real award delivered in New York every December.
The current BvB standings are:
- Dennis Dixon
- Tim Tebow
- Darren McFadden
- Matt Ryan
- Mike Hart
Dennis Dixon needs to keep winning. With games left at Arizona and UCLA with a home game against Oregon St. It seems very possible for the Ducks to make it to 11-1 with a berth to the title game or the Rose Bowl. Of the 5 candidates, His team is the best team and highest ranked in the country. If all 5 candidates stay undefeated and Dixon's injury doesn't affect him, then he will be the winner.
Tim Tebow needs to keep scoring and winning. If the gators drop any of their remaining three games, Tebow is out. If the Florida Defense can't keep the Gamecock offense off the field next week, Tebow will have to take the game over and keep scoring. If that happens, it will be a huge bonus to his chances, but Tebow may be out of luck if no one knocks off the ducks. If Oregon loses or if Dixon doesn't perform then Tebow will be able to beat out the rest of the candidates.
Darren McFadden knows what it is like to get close to that trophy. He has had a tough time getting healthy this season, and a tougher time being able to help his team win. The strange thing is Spurrier is right, if McFadden doesn't get his bell rung in that Alabama game, and if his ribs stayed healthy the hogs could be undefeated and sitting atop the BCS right now. Darren needs close games to help his Heisman hopes. The razorbacks can't jump out to 3 score leads that they hold the whole game or Nutt is going to bench his bread and butter and save him for the rest of the season. Tennessee is a team he can perform well against statistically and pulling a win out of knoxville will help him. He needs a monster game against LSU and somehow pulling out a victory to put himself ahead of the other candidates. A 5-3 conference record could be just the thing to put him on top, but once again Dixon winning will be insurmountable.
Matt Ryan really hurt himself this weekend. After a bad statistical performance against Virginia Tech and the 3 interceptions and loss to FSU, he might be done for. Clemson and Miami might be tough games, too. Boston College has slipped to 8 in the BCS, but Matt Ryan won't get the Heisman unless he has some more Boston Magic like the magic that gave Flutie the award in 1984. It will take a lot of faltering by the other candidates before Ryan comes up with it.
Mike Hart has been quietly working against the 0-2 start the Wolverines experienced. His yardage has been better than McFadden's, but his competition inferior. With only one 200 yard outing, he has been consistent and has had 100 yard games in all 8 games he's played in. With only 2 more games to perform in he is going to need a huge performance to get into Heisman contention. Not to mention the fact that he has so many players ahead of him that might fail. Without a huge performance against Wisconsin or Ohio St. he won't even get invited.
BigFootFool's prediction for the Heisman winner: Darren McFadden
Here's the scoop, Dennis Dixon's knee will hamper him more than he thinks, and while the Ducks will win out limited playing time and poor performances against Arizona and UCLA will leave him behind. Tim Tebow has monster stats, but a loss to South Carolina will put the gators off any chance at an SEC championship game and will derail his heisman hopes. Darren McFadden will put up 200 yard games against Tennessee and Mississippi St. At LSU, whether the hogs will win or not won't matter as Darren will have a stiff arm against Glen Dorsey that gets played so often on Sportscenter the voters won't be able to get McFadden out of their head. Darren wins by the narrowest margin in voting history.
Interview with Frank Broyles
(Door Flies Open)
Frank Broyles: Get up!
BFF: What?
FB: I said Get up! When I enter an office it becomes mine, it started that way when I was coaching up in Missourri and it's been that way ever since. I sit behind the desk. I'm in Houston Nutt's office so often he works from the visitors side of the desk.
BFF: Umm ok, let me get my stuff together.
(We switch places)
BFF: So Coach, thanks for meeting with me, I know you are a very busy man, and it's great of you to take time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.
FB: Well, son, my schedule isn't that busy it pretty much consists of me hounding Houston Nutt all day and making sure he doesn' F--k up MY Football program.
BFF: Oh, of course. So Saturday night must have been a very special night for you. Having all of those former players honoring you at halftime and having the field named after you. Even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones came....
(Door Flies Open)
JJ: YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAWWWW Mutha Fuc...
FB: Leave me alone Jerry!
JJ: But someone said my name
FB: I don't care if offered to give you a $10 handjob you're in my office now and you're gonna get the hell out of it right now! Go back to Dallas you crazy Bastard!
JJ: Yes sir
(Jerry Jones leaps out of the window and opens a parachute)
FB: Sorry about that, now where were we?
BFF: Oh, well I was asking you how it was to have such a special experience on Saturday with your last home game as Athletic Director.
FB: It sucked. They name the Field after me? I want the whole damn school named after me. It should be University of Frank Broyles with the team being called the Razorbroyles! People will call the Franks and the team will never throw another forward pass.
BFF: Oh well I'm sure you were honored by all the former players there though right?
FB: Oh sure, like I need more kissasses like Jerry Jones up my butt for a weekend. At least I got some Catfish out of it. We love catfish. You ever go Noodling?
BFF: Um no, what's noodling?
FB: Well basically, you stick your hand in a hole, and a catfish grabs it, and then you yank him out by the gills and you tell him to F--K OFF before you skin him and eat him. Best thing in the world.
BFF: That's very interesting, Coach can you tell me a little bit about the Athletic program at Arkansas? How have you been dealing with everything with the offseason scandals involing your head coach, recruits, and former Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn?
FB: Houston handled the whole thing terribly. First off, if it were me Gus wouldn't gotten a ticket on a Bus halfway through last season when his little supposed wunderkind threw his first interception. In my day we didn't pass that much. In my day you ran the ball and then ran the ball some more. You recruited wide recievers and told them you would pass to them, but then told them that you would only pass to them if they did a good job blocking. It was a brilliant system. With running the ball you control the clock and you put the fans in the stands into a stupor. Sure you may not win more than one disputed national championship, but you know what f--k them. Running the ball is the only way you can play football in Arkansas. As for Mitch Mustain, he and his mom can suck my big FAT--
BFF: Alright thanks for the interview coach any last words as we bring this interview to a close?
FB: Yes, I'd like to say something about the basketball team's 117-43 victory in exhibition Friday night.
BFF: Oh yeah, I saw that game it was really great.
FB: Are you blind son? That was terrible. I'm announcing Pelphrey's Firing immediately. I'm not gonna have any of that high flying, high scoring stuff. That's just why I fired Nolan Richardson. I want us to play slow methodical basketball that will put the fans into a stupor... Makes Concession sales go higher!
Darren McFadden is Arkansas
Friday, November 2, 2007
Basketball Season is nigh!
Arkansas Center Steven Hill hangs on the rim after a dunk in Bud Walton Arena
SEC Basketball Player Profile - Kenny Williams
Position: Forward
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Grizzlie's don't win...
Rudy Gay with a great lay in on the fast break.
I think the hand their is to protect him from all the Gay
Mike Millers Hair?
Yep... Still terrible. 11 pts 10 boards isn't a bad night though.
Yabba Dabba Doooo!
SEC Basketball Player Profile - Shan Foster
Position: Guard - Forward
Height: 6'6"